By Phil Corso
Federal lawmakers representing parts of northeast Queens introduced new legislation that would funnel more funding toward the preservation and cleanup of the Long Island Sound.
U.S. Reps. Steve Israel (D-Melville) and Grace Meng (D-Flushing) were two of more than a dozen officials to sign their names onto the Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).
If passed, lawmakers said, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would help appropriate money to a special Long Island Sound program, geared toward cleanup, maintenance and shoreline preservation. It would also require the different federal, state and local agencies using the funds to regularly report how they are handling money.
The estuary borders waterfront dwellings spanning from the north shore of eastern Long Island all the way into Queens, as far into the borough as Whitestone.
Israel said the 1,320-square-mile estuary faced serious threats of pollution and habitat loss, which federal dollars could help address.
“I have long fought to preserve, protect and restore the Long Island Sound,” said Israel, who has represented a district bordering the body of water for more than 10 years. “It is critical to our regional economy, our environment and our community. If we don’t protect and restore this $9 billion economic engine, we will damage industries and ultimately lose jobs.”
The bill was introduced May 23 and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. The government transparency website govtrack.us said the bill had a 14 percent chance of getting past committee and a 1 percent chance of being enacted.
A similar piece of legislation was introduced at the end of 2011, but eventually died in committee by the end of session in 2012.
The push for a renewed focus on environmental funding came in the wake of recent historic storms, like Superstorm Sandy and Tropical Storm Irene, and an ever-shrinking supply of federal dollars for environmental projects, advocates said.
Leaders from different environmental groups overlooking the health of the Long Island Sound offered their endorsements of the legislation.
Leah L. Schmalz, director of legislative and legal affairs for advocacy organization Save the Sound, said a dense population around the estuary posed specific risks when coupled with a warming climate.
“At a time when the sound is facing threats like lingering damage from [Hurricanes] Sandy and Irene, sewage leaks and spills and the proposed sale of gems like Plum Island, it is essential that our federal government lead the way on protecting this body of water and rebuilding our maritime economy,” Schmalz said.
Reach reporter Phil Corso by e-mail at pcorso@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
