Trump EPA and Environmental Leaders Team Up to Protect the Long Island Sound

Suffolk County, NY  - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 Administrator Michael Martucci hosted EPA Region 1 Administrator Mark Sanborn, EPA Region 3 Administrator Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey, and environmental leaders of the Long Island Sound Partnership in Suffolk County, New York to underscore the agency's commitment to protecting the Long Island Sound.  

Long Island Sound and its coasts and watersheds are home to thousands of plant and animal species and are a recreational treasure for boaters, fishers, birders, and more. EPA and the Long Island Sound Partnership have launched programs to protect the Sound and its shoreline, including a habitat restoration initiative, a stewardship initiative to help manage critical recreational and ecological areas, and a seafloor mapping program to better understand underwater habitats. 

The Long Island Sound Partnership also oversees the Long Island Sound Futures Fund, which has provided millions of dollars in grants to organizations and communities across the watershed in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. 

The event highlighted the Trump EPA's commitment to this incredibly important partnership and expanding access to clean water, supporting local economies and recreation, and strengthening cooperation with federal, state, and regional partners. 

 "The Long Island Sound is a beloved natural haven and a vital economic engine for the region, and its protection stands at the heart of EPA's commitment to clean air, land, and water for all Americans," said EPA Region 2 Administrator Michael Martucci. "EPA is working with partners to improve water quality, restore habitats, and support the science and monitoring needed to protect communities and coastal economies for the long term."  

 "EPA New England is proud to be a part of the ongoing cooperative federalism taking place to support a healthier Long Island Sound," said EPA New England Regional Administrator Mark Sanborn. "As a dynamic resource for communities, protecting the Long Island Sound through committed partnerships and a supported economy is key to an ongoing success story." 

"Today's event puts partnership and gold-standard science on full display - whether we're crossing state lines or regional boundaries - we're all here in the name of environmental protection, clean water, and data-driven results," said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey. "When we let science be our North Star, we move the needle and use tax dollars responsibly." 

"As a lifelong Long Islander and Co-Chair of the House Long Island Sound Caucus, I see firsthand how our collaboration is driving real progress in improving water quality and strengthening our coastal ecosystems," said Representative Nick LaLota (NY-01). "As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I secured over $40 million for the Long Island Sound Program and $40 million for the National Estuary Program this year alone. I've likewise cosponsored and voted to advance the American Water Stewardship Act, which will reauthorize these programs. Both the Long Island Sound and National Estuary Programs are proven initiatives that are essential to protecting our local waterways and supporting Long Island's maritime economy. I'll keep fighting to deliver the resources needed to preserve Long Island's environment for future generations."

EPA was joined by representatives of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, Save the Sound, and the National Audubon Society to discuss habitat restoration and water quality monitoring in Long Island Sound.  

The visit began at Gold Star Beach Park, where EPA Regional Administrators participated in a boat tour of Huntington Bay that showcased ongoing efforts to reduce nitrogen and address nutrient pollution in coastal waters. The group then visited Sunken Meadow State Park to discuss disease management of marine life in the estuary. 

Stay connected with the Long Island Sound Partnership by subscribing to its newsletterExit EPA's website for updates on activities, events, and volunteering opportunities. 

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