On the East End of Long Island, we must be committed to protecting and preserving the abundance of our natural resources that are so important to our life, culture and economy.
This is an issue that is personal for all of us. For me, growing up on Long Island and enjoying the beauty of Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, Smith Point County Park and so many other treasures of life in our area, we are constantly reminded that in order to provide each generation with that same privilege, we must be good stewards of the environment. Protecting our environment also goes hand in hand with protecting commerce in our regional economy where so many jobs and small businesses depend on scenic beaches, parks, clean water and wineries to attract visitors and economic growth.
In 2015, whether it was the effort to reverse President Obama’s proposed 22 percent cut in funding for the Long Island Sound, opposing the misguided plan to dump Connecticut’s dredged waste into the Sound, or supporting $27 million in funding for the National Estuary Program, there were many local environmental issues worth championing.
Of critical importance was the successful effort to save the Land and Water Conservation Fund after the previous Congress had allowed this program to lapse. Congress also established a permanent tax deduction for conservation easements that are essential to preserving land and farms in our region, and made progress further developing the research and use of alternative energy; much of which will take place right here on Long Island at SUNY Stony Brook and Brookhaven National Lab.
Here are a few of the many other specific opportunities that exist moving forward:
- Stopping the sale of Plum Island (H.R. 1887). Last year, I introduced legislation, HR 1887, that would protect Plum Island and prevent a sale by the federal government to the highest bidder. This bill has bipartisan support from the entire Long Island and Connecticut delegation in both the House and Senate. Plum Island is cherished by the local community, not only as an essential resource for research, but also for its abundance in cultural, historical, ecological, and natural resources. Congress should take action to pursue a better direction for Plum Island that would allow for continued research, public access and permanent preservation.
- Protecting the Long Island Sound by passing the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act (H.R. 2930). This bipartisan legislation that I introduced with Congressman Steve Israel (D, NY-3) proposes $65 million in funding per year through 2020 for a water quality and shore restoration program and additional focus, oversight and coordination of federal activities related to the restoration of the Sound. Over the years, the Long Island Sound has suffered severely from issues such as pollution, overdevelopment and the dumping of dredged materials. It’s important that this bill is passed to ensure our waterways are preserved for generations to come.
- Improving the management of our fisheries, by passing the EEZ Transit Zone Clarification Act (H.R. 3070) and Fluke Fairness Bill (H.R. 1888). Recreational and commercial fishing is one of the many great things about life, industry and culture here on Long Island. Both of my bills, H.R. 3070 and H.R. 1888, would make important reforms to our current fisheries laws to reinvigorate the rapidly fading traditional heritage of saltwater fishing on Long Island and elsewhere, while sacrificing none of the environmental and economic benefits of continuing to rebuild coastal fish stocks. I will keep working in Congress to make sure these two bills pass the House.
With the valuable natural resources we treasure on Long Island comes a great responsibility to protect them. There is much more work still ahead to safeguard our environment, water quality, natural resources and way of life.
Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) is a member of the Long Island Sound Caucus and the Congressional Shellfish Caucus in the House of Representatives.
