"The Lighthouse Project has the potential to be one of the most important economic development initiatives we have ever seen on Long Island and is precisely the kind of economic stimulus that we need here," Paterson said at a news conference here Monday. "Our government agencies need to work diligently and swiftly to ensure that this project can move forward as quickly as possible so that we can begin to put people back to work right here on Long Island." He was joined at Monday's event by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, town supervisor Kate Murray and New York Islanders owner Charles Wang, who is spearheading the project.

A public comment period is under way, following the town board's approval earlier this month of the environmental report on the project. Along with area residents, who will have an opportunity to be heard at a hearing scheduled for August 4, the town is seeking input from the New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation and Transportation, the villages of Garden City and Hempstead, Nassau County Departments of Health and Public Works, the Town of Hempstead Water Department, Uniondale School District, local fire department and the Long Island Power Authority, among other groups. The public comment period ends August 17, says a Lighthouse Development Group source.

"In broad terms, the environmental issues that are the subject of public comment and a hearing include the project's impact on traffic, drinking water availability/quality, air quality, the handling/processing of sanitary sewage, storm water runoff and the collection and disposal of garbage, among others," according to a release from the Town of Hempstead. The town encompasses 22 villages, including Garden City and the Village of Hempstead, and 35 hamlets, including Uniondale.