Subsequently, it was taken off of the market and re-listed for sale in two parcels totaling $US 4.625 million.

Mr. Worrell subsequently entered into agreements with adjoining property owners to purchase three additional parcels totaling 121 acres, which have been added to the overall project.

Two small parcels totaling 60 acres have already been bought.

In Suffolk, 124,283 parcels totaling $27.65 billion in exempt value received exemptions in 1994.

Of the original 50,000 acres, only two parcels totaling about 65 acres survive.

The North Salem group started in 1974 with 117 acres of donated land and now owns 11 parcels totaling 446 acres scattered throughout the town.

A spokesman, David Vieser, said that eight parcels totaling 500 acres had been acquired or recommended for acquisition in the past several years.

But by the end of last April, according to town officials, eight projects had been proposed for homes or shops on parcels totaling almost 1,000 acres in East Quogue.

Mr. Seiden and his partner, Ed Turschmann, who call their operation Bear Neck Shellfish, have leased 19 parcels totaling more than 377 acres.

The Straus' herd now numbers 270 cows on two parcels totaling 660 acres.