U.S. Senate Committee Advances Legislation to Protect Long Island Sound

January 29, 2014 - The following is a statement from Erin Crotty, Executive Director of Audubon New York, the 50,000 member state program of the National Audubon Society, on the Senate Environment and Public Works committee passage of the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act (S.1080/H.R.2174). 

“We applaud Chairwoman Barbara Boxer and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee for passing the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act, legislation that is vital for keeping Long Island Sound on the road to recovery.  Thanks to the leadership of Senators Gillibrand and Schumer, and the Long Island Sound Congressional Caucus, this important legislation will demonstrate the federal government’s commitment to conserving, protecting, and restoring Long Island Sound, a globally significant ecosystem which provides critical habitat for birds and is the backbone of Long Island’s quality of life and economy. We look forward to working with the New York Congressional Delegation and leaders in the House and Senate to pass this legislation this year.”

The Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act (S.1080/HR.2174) was introduced to reauthorize the Long Island Sound programs for another five years.  The legislation streamlines the programs’ management and authorizes funding to reduce nitrogen loading in water, monitor and improve water quality, and protect the important ecological and recreational sites around the Sound.  For more information on the legislation, contact Sean Mahar at 518-669-1768 or smahar@audubon.org.