Meng, Israel and Gillibrand introduce legislation to protect and preserve Long Island Sound

Today, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Reps. Steve Israel (D-NY) and Grace Meng (D-NY) announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation to protect Long Island Sound. The Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act will advance the protection and restoration of this key estuary. They were joined by local environmental groups, including the New York and Connecticut Audubon Societies, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, the Nature Conservancy NY, the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee, the Long Island Sound Study Citizens Advisory Committee and Save the Sound.

Senator Gillibrand said, “The Long Island Sound is a natural treasure – it makes Long Island a great place to work, play, and raise a family. With more than 8 million people living within the watershed, the Sound is not only critical to Long Island’s environment and economy, but also of the entire region. During these tough economic times, the Sound provides an opportunity to promote economic growth on Long Island. I am committed to taking the steps needed to improve the health of the Sound.”

Rep. Israel, a co-chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus, said, “I have long fought to preserve, protect, and restore Long Island Sound. It is critical to our regional economy, our environment and our community. If we don’t protect and restore this $9 billion economic engine, we will damage industries and ultimately lose jobs.”

Rep. Meng said, “Long Island Sound is a national treasure that is vital to our region,” said Meng. “It is essential that we continue our efforts to protect and restore this precious natural resource that is critical to our environment, quality of life and the local economy.”

Long Island Sound is a 1,320 square mile estuary designated as an Estuary of National Significance. It is being threatened by pollution and habitat loss. More than 21 million people live within 50 miles of the sound and it contributes an estimated $8.91 billion a year to the surrounding economies.

Funding authorized under this legislation will go toward cleanup, water quality, shoreline preservation and other critical environmental and conservation needs of the Sound.

Congress has previously authorized funding to support Long Island Sound under the Long Island Sound Restoration Act (passed in 2000 & 2005) and the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act (passed in 2006). The Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act streamlines the authorization process and dedicates funds to a Long Island Sound Program so funding can be put toward the most critical issues. The legislation will also improve coordination among federal, state and local agencies and require regular reporting on the use of the funds.

In addition to Reps. Israel and Meng, original cosponsors of the legislation include Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Tim Bishop (D-NY), Joe Crowley (D-NY), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Peter King (R-NY), John Larson (D-CT), Jim Himes (D-CT), Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) and Joe Courtney (D-CT).