Today, Reps. Nick LaLota (NY-01) and Joe Courtney (CT-03), Co-Chairs of the Long Island Sound Caucus, released the following statement after the House Natural Resources Committee passed their bipartisan Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act, which would reauthorize the Long Island Sound Program to ensure the protection and preservation of the Sound.
“Today, after months of hard work, I’m thrilled to see our bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Long Island Sound program come one step closer to becoming law. As a vital piece of our economy, the Sound is critical to the daily life of thousands of Long Islanders,” said LaLota. “The Long Island Sound Program is too important to Long Island communities and must be reauthorized immediately. As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Long Island Sound Caucus, I look forward to ensuring this bill passes the House as soon as possible.”
“Today’s bipartisan action on the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act is a very encouraging boost to the long-term efforts to preserve and manage this unique tidal estuary. This legislation reauthorizes the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Long Island Sound Programs for five years to ensure the Sound remains a valuable resource for our communities,” said Courtney. “Congress last established a five-year reauthorization under the then Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act in 2018, and it is necessary for us to renew our commitment to these critical programs. Thank you to Congressman LaLota, fellow Co-Chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus, for his leadership in advancing this bill through the Natural Resources Committee. I look forward to voting for it on the House Floor.”
“Despite its proximity to New York City, Long Island offers a variety of wildlife habitats in need of maintenance and upkeep,” said Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee. “The Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act of 2023 will develop conservation programs for the 12 priority habitats included in the Long Island Sound and surrounding areas. I commend Rep. LaLota for implementing these sound solutions to ensure good stewardship over essential habitats.”
To read the full text of the legislation, click HERE.
Background:
The Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act would reauthorize the Long Island Sound Program through 2028.
In 1985, Congress created the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) to identify and address the major environmental problems affecting the Long Island Sound. The LISS brings together the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), New York State, Connecticut, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions to help restore and protect the Long Island Sound, including the watershed, which spans up towards New Hampshire and Vermont into Canada.
In September 2023, LaLota introduced the bipartisan Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act, which would reauthorize the Long Island Sound Program to ensure the protection and preservation of the Sound.
In January 2024, LaLota testified at a Natural Resources Committee hearing supporting the Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act. The same month, LaLota testified at the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in support of including a reauthorization of the Long Island Sound Program in the biannual Water Resources Development Act.
Earlier this month, LaLota secured $40 million for the EPA’s Long Island Sound geographic program, which would be used to identify and address the major environmental problems affecting the Long Island Sound to help restore and protect the Sound.
