DeLauro Announces House Budget Includes Funding for Long Island Sound

NEW HAVEN, CT (July 24, 2017) – Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) joined Curt Johnson, Executive Director of Save the Sound, and Commissioner Rob Klee, from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to announce the successful inclusion of $8 million for the Long Island Sound in the FY 2018 Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Though the President's FY18 budget request zeroed out all geographical programs, including the Long Island Sound program, DeLauro was able to secure the funding through the House budget process.

"I am pleased to announce that the House of Representatives' Department of Interior and Environment funding bill includes $8 million for the Long Island Sound for 2018." said DeLauro. "President Trump's proposed budget had completely eliminated funding for Long Island Sound—so this is an enormous victory for our community and for the natural beauty of the Sound. Our voices have been heard!"

Federal funding to continue the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s program for Long Island Sound is critical to our regional economies and the quality of our environment. The Long Island Sound is one of 28 estuaries included in the National Estuary Program, and with more than 23 million people living within 50 miles of the Sound, it is a major contributor of economic development and a source of recreation for residents and visitors alike.

"The Long Island Sound has proven a great return on investment for federal funding. For every $1 appropriated to the Long Island Sound Study, the program has leveraged $87 from other Federal, state, local, and private funding sources." continued DeLauro. "With this funding, Connecticut can continue to tackle the threat of emerging nitrogen pollution and put a plan into action. These waters are a national treasure, and we have responsibility to ensure their protection and preservation—not only for the millions of people living on its shores, but for their children and their children's children."

According to the Long Island Sound Study, the annual economic value of the sound is between $17 billion and $37 billion each year. This figure factors in the economic benefit of tourism, boating, swimming, recreational fishing, commercial fishing, and shellfishing to the region. The area also supports more than 191,000 watershed dependent jobs. The Sound is home to more than 120 species of fish, which contribute to our states' vibrant commercial and recreational fishing industries.

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