A statement was issued that read: “The promoters and town are continuing to explore all options in an effort to stage the Field Day Festival. The town of Riverhead and the Chief of Police have repeatedly signaled their satisfaction with the Field Day communications, safety, security and traffic plans provided that the town of Riverhead can secure additional police from either the county, state or other local authorities.

“All parties believe there is sufficient time in which to get that done.”

Earlier, it was reported that environmentalists had gone to court seeking to block a pair of summer rock festivals on eastern Long Island, but the first event – the Field Day Music Festival – appeared to be in jeopardy anyway because the Suffolk County health department on Tuesday denied organizers a permit.

Seven environmental organizations claimed in a lawsuit against the town of Riverhead that the tens of thousands of people expected for the festivals will imperil the Pine Barrens preserve, which sits atop Long Island’s water supply and boasts “the greatest diversity of plants and animals in the state.”

“We don’t want Long Island’s premier ecosystem trashed like Woodstock,” said Richard Amper, executive director of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society.

Other groups joining the suit include the Long Island Neighborhood Network, Open Space Council, North Fork Environmental Council, Save Open Spaces Now and the North Fork and North Shore chapters of the Audubon Society.

The shows are scheduled to be held in Calverton on town property that was once home to the defense contractor Grumman. The property is surrounded by the Pine Barrens Preserve and lies in a special groundwater protection area, Amper said.

“Our local officials are not merely acting irresponsibly, they’re breaking the law when they move ahead with an enormous threat to the environment and public health and safety without the legally required review,” he said.

State Supreme Court Judge Mary M. Werner heard arguments in the case and then adjourned the proceeding. She refused to order any injunctions; the case returns to court Friday.

Riverhead town officials did not immediately return calls for comment.

Meanwhile, the health department denied an application for the first concert, called the Field Day Music Festival, set for June 7-8. Headliners were expected to include the Beastie Boys, Beck and Radiohead.

Bruce Williamson, chief of the health department’s bureau of public health protection, said the permit for a mass gathering was denied because the Riverhead town police department said it could not provide adequate security with its 74-member staff for a crowd that could approach 50,000.

An agreement for the county to supplement police protection appeared unlikely because it requires the approval of the county Legislature, which is not scheduled to meet until June 10 – two days after the concert. A special meeting of the Legislature could be called, but that did not appear likely, said a spokeswoman for the lawmakers.

“We’re going to sit down and see if there is any way around this issue,” said Gary Lewi, a spokesman for the organizers of the Field Day Music Festival.

Andrew Dreskin, executive producer of the Field Day Music Festival, also sought to allay fears that the fest was completely off.

“We are moving ahead with efforts to keep the Field Day Music Festival on track,” he said. “This notice of denial was premature and we are continuing to work closely with the town of Riverhead and Riverhead police with ongoing meetings scheduled for this evening.

“Obviously we are disappointed by this decision but it appears to be based more on procedural issues than substantive problems. We believe we can resolve this issue quickly so that we can stage a festival that benefits the town, the county and a worldwide audience that seeks to come to Calverton.”

The second festival, called Bonnaroo NE, runs Aug. 8-10. Expected headliners at that show include Bob Dylan, The Dead, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. A spokesman for that festival did not immediately return a call seeking comment.