Suffolk has arguably done more than any other county in New York State to preserve open space and protect drinking water. With the Long Island Pine Barrens situated above Suffolk County’s source of drinking water, aquifers which provide 200 million gallons for 1.4 million residents daily, widespread consensus emerged in the 1980s to protect this vital resource. In 1987 and 1988, 84% of Suffolk County voters approved a Drinking Water Protection Program, funded via a quarter percent sales tax, to assist the County in purchasing private lands both inside and outside the Pine Barrens area. As development pressures still threaten large tracts of open space, the electorate extended the program to December 2013. The Program has generated over $220 million and paid for the purchase of more than 13,000 acres of environmentally sensitive lands. As of 2004, available funds were fully committed. Projected annual revenues of $8 million are obviously insufficient to secure Suffolk County’s list of high priority parcels, worth almost $500 million. The recently enacted $75 million Suffolk County Save Open Space Bond Act will provide $30 million to help preserve open space. Other funding sources include Brookhaven’s Clean Water Open Space Bond program and the East End’s Community Preservation Fund. Unfortunately, the County and municipalities will need additional funds since most planners predict full build-out within the next five to ten years.