DeLauro, Israel Announce Introduction of Legislation to Protect and Preserve Long Island Sound

Washington, DC – On Friday, Reps. SteveIsrael (D – NY) and Rosa DeLauro (D – CT) announced the introduction ofnew bipartisan legislation to protect Long Island Sound. The Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act will advance the protection andrestoration of this key estuary.

"Long Island Sound is a regional and anational treasure, as well as a critical economic, recreational, andenvironmental resource. I believe we have a responsibility to ensure its protection and preservation, and I am proud to be a co-chair of theCongressional Long Island Sound Caucus," said Rep. DeLauro. "I willcontinue to fight for the funding needed to preserve this pristine,beautiful and vibrant ecosystem so that generations of Americans cancontinue to enjoy it."

"Long Island Sound is critical to ourregional economy, our environment and our community. If we don't protect and restore the Sound, a $9 billion economic engine, we will damageindustries and ultimately lose jobs. That's why I'm continuing myefforts to preserve, protect and restore the Sound," said Rep. Israel, a co-chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus.

Long Island Sound is a 1,320 square mileestuary designated as an Estuary of National Significance. It is beingthreatened by pollution and habitat loss. More than 21 million peoplelive within 50 miles of the sound and it contributes an estimated $8.91billion a year to the surrounding economies.

Funding authorized under this legislation will go toward cleanup, water quality, shoreline preservation and other critical environmental and conservation needs of the Sound.

Congress has previously authorizedfunding to support Long Island Sound under the Long Island SoundRestoration Act (passed in 2000 & 2005) and the Long Island SoundStewardship Act (passed in 2006). The Long Island Sound Stewardship andRestoration Act streamlines the authorization process and dedicatesfunds to a Long Island Sound Program so funding can be put toward themost critical issues. The legislation will also improve coordinationamong federal, state and local agencies and require regular reporting on the use of the funds.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D – NY) isintroducing the Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act todayin the United States Senate.

"Over the last decade, we have mademeaningful strides in restoring the water quality and the ecology of the Sound but we have more work ahead. The leadership of Congressman Israel and Congresswoman DeLauro will help us keep the momentum in protectingthis economic engine and ecological treasure," said Adrienne Esposito,Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

"The waters and wildlife of Long IslandSound don't recognize geographic and political boundaries, and we arefortunate that, when it comes to the Sound, our political leaders do not either," said Albert E. Caccese and Tom Baptist, Executive Directors of Audubon New York and Connecticut. "We applaud Congressman Israel andCongresswoman DeLauro for leading the charge with all the members of the Long Island Sound Congressional Caucus to keep people working ondesperately needed water quality improvements, habitat protectioninitiatives, and enhanced public access opportunities so that futuregenerations will be able to enjoy a cleaner, healthier Long IslandSound. We urge Congress to act quickly on this important bill."

In addition to Reps. Israel and DeLauro,original cosponsors of the legislation include Reps. Tim Bishop (D –NY), Peter King (R – NY), Carolyn McCarthy (D – NY), Gary Ackerman (D –NY), Jim Himes (D – CT), Chris Murphy (D – CT), Joe Courtney (D – CT),John Larson (D – CT) and Eliot Engel (D – NY).