SUOZZI ANNOUNCES MILLIONS IN FEDERAL GRANTS FOR PROTECTION OF THE SOUND: “THE LONG ISLAND SOUND IS OUR NATIONAL PARK, AND WE HAVE TO TREAT IT THAT WAY”

Today, Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Co-chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus, held a virtual press conference to announce that New York Third’s Congressional District will receive nearly $3 million in matching federal grants for projects to preserve and protect the Long Island Sound. 

“The Long Island Sound is our ‘National Park,’ and we have to treat it that way,” said Suozzi. “For 27 years, since entering public service, first as Mayor of Glen Cove in 1994 and then as Nassau County Executive in 2002, I have worked on restoring shellfishing beds and reseeding our harbors, cutting nitrogen from sewage treatment plants and stormwater runoff, and cleaning up pollution. As a Member of Congress, in the role of Co-chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus, I helped to increase federal funding to protect the Sound by nearly 900%.”

When Suozzi came to Congress in 2017, federal funding for the Long Island Sound was merely $5 million. Since then, Suozzi has fought for and successfully increased federal funding to $30.4 million, an increase of 900%. The Long Island Sound is not only an environmental treasure, but also a revenue source to the area, generating upwards of $1 billion to the regional economy.

“Over the last ten years, we have made significant progress to increase funding for the preservation and protection of the Long Island Sound, restoration of habitats, monitoring of water quality, and education of the public” said Suozzi. “We need to maintain and increase this momentum so that generations of New Yorkers can all benefit from our most precious natural resource.”

Suozzi was joined on the press conference call by Long Island Sound and environmental advocacy groups including Curt Johnson, President, Save the Sound; Cecilia Venosta-Wiygul, Udalls Cove Preservation Committee, and Board Member, Douglaston Civic Association; Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment; Vanessa Pino Lockel, Executive Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk; Eric Swenson, Executive Director, Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee; Carol DiPaolo, Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor; and Heather Johnson, Executive Director, Friends of the Bay.

“I grew up swimming and fishing in the Sound'" said Suozzi. Thanks to the strong support and advocacy of environmental organizations such as Save the Sound, Douglaston Manor Environmental Association, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Friends of the Bay, Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee, Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor, and many others, these federal grants will go a long way in ensuring that future generations will be able to enjoy a clean Long Island Sound.”

“Congressman Suozzi came to us last year to ask us what projects needed funding. He was adamant about ensuring we get what we need. It was an honor to bring the local environmental groups together to identify local environmental priorities and shovel-ready projects to secure funding in collaboration with Congressman Suozzi’s office. On behalf of the groups, we are grateful for Congressman Suozzi’s support and commitment to better the water quality and wildlife in the Little Neck Bay” said Cecilia Venosta-Wiygul, Udalls Cove Preservation Committee, and Board Member, Douglaston Civic Association.

“Long Island Sound is the heart of our region—ecologically, economically, and culturally,” said Curt Johnson, president of Save the Sound. “Thanks to Congressman Suozzi and our other New York and Connecticut congressional champions, the projects made possible by Long Island Sound Futures Fund act as a deep breath that enlivens our urban sea with vibrant habitats, cleaner water, and good jobs. It truly funds Long Island Sound’s future.” 

“We are thrilled to be able to expand the Long Island Sound High School Summit! Last year we had 4 schools engaged and this year we have 8. This is the first program on Long Island that specifically engages high school students in protecting and restoring the Long Island Sound through hands-on research in various topics including microplastics, water quality, marine debris, social marketing, and much more. Students become more connected to the protection of the natural world when they understand the value it brings to their community and obtain resources and knowledge in how to protect it,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “We are extremely thankful to Congressman Suozzi for his leadership in securing this federal funding which makes this whole program possible.”

“On Long Island, our quality of life and our economy are directly linked to the quality of our surrounding bays and harbors. When local governments, environmental groups, and stakeholders share the goal of improving our waters and working together, there is a foundation to build on. Funding from the Long Island Sound Futures Fund along with support from elected officials like Tom Suozzi help make that goal a reality,” said Eric Swenson, Executive Director, Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee.

“We are grateful for receiving the Long Island Sound Study Futures Fund grant and to Congressman Suozzi and our elected officials, who have vigorously advocated for this funding. The grant can play a pivotal role in helping to turn around the decline in the shellfish population in Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor. Shellfish sanctuaries are the key to a healthy bay system. Along with our partners, we are hopeful that these projects will have a big impact on the health of our waterways,” said Heather Johnson, Executive Director, Friends of the Bay.

 “Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County is grateful for the support from The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Long Island Sound Futures Fund as it ensures that our critical work to protect and enhance the environment continues.  This funding enables our experts to work to restore the health of the Long Island Sound by removing floating debris and derelict lobster gear that negatively impact our waters.  In addition, support for an innovative natural living shoreline restoration project utilizing cordgrass and ribbed mussels will enhance the coastal health and vitality around the Long Island Sound.  We appreciate the shared commitment to our waters and the communities that enjoy this natural resource,” said Vanessa Pino Lockel, Executive Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County.

The National Fish and Wildlife Federation announced that the Long Island Sound (both in Connecticut and New York) will receive $4.8 million in matching funds, providing a total conservation impact of $10.2 million. Of that amount, New York’s 3rd Congressional District will receive $1,540,437 in matching funds, bringing a total to $2,944,218 for Long Island Sound projects across the district. Areas of the district that will receive funding include Udalls Cove and Little Neck Bay in Queens, Roslyn, Hempstead Harbor, Oyster Bay, and Centerport and Northport Harbors. 

Details for each of the projects are below and attached:

• • $1,007,486 for Restoring Big Rock Wetland for Marsh and Community Resilience for Udalls Cove: Establish a natural shoreline along Memorial Field in Udalls Cove, Little Neck Bay, Queens, New York. Project will restore the shoreline to reduce erosion from storms and engage the local community, public schools, and university students in environmental stewardship.
  • $729,606 for New Tools to enhance coastal restoration and resilience at Centerport Harbor: Deploy new methods combining ribbed mussels and cordgrass to restore degraded shoreline marshes in Centerport Harbor, New York. Project will provide an innovative tool for natural living shoreline restoration to enhance community coastal resilience around Long Island Sound.
  • $193,496 for Hempstead Harbor water Quality Monitoring Program: Conduct water quality monitoring in Hempstead Harbor, Nassau County, New York. Project will inform management of Hempstead Harbor, a waterbody that feeds Long Island Sound.
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  • $192,936 for Assessment, Coordination, and Removal of Derelict Lobster Gear of Long Island Sound: Remove derelict lobster fishing gear from 18 square miles of marine waters in Connecticut and New York. Project will collect 43.5 metric tons of marine debris, restoring the marine environment of Long Island Sound.
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  • $135,636 for Reducing Marine Debris in Oyster Bay and Hempstead Harbor: Deploy "Sea bin" floating litter traps in Oyster Bay and Hempstead Harbor, New York. Project will remove 1,800 pounds of marine debris and pilot innovative technology to address litter and other forms of floatable pollution in marinas and ports around Long Island Sound.
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  • $105,001 for Green Infrastructure to Improve Water Quality in Northport Harbor and Long Island Sound (NY): Install 27,334 square feet of green infrastructure in Northport, New York. Project will install bioretention rain garden to capture, store, and filter contaminants and 17,040 gallons of stormwater from Northport Harbor and Long Island Sound.
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  • $152,314 for Expanding Oyster Spawning Sanctuaries in Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor: Expand and monitor oyster spawning sanctuaries in the Oyster Bay-Cold Spring Harbor Complex, New York. Project will contribute to the restoration of these native shellfish and their habitat in Long Island Sound.
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  • $144,904 for Restoring Coastal Grassland at the William Cullen Bryant preserve: Restore coastal grassland and use the restored grassland to educate visitors about the environment at the William Cullen Bryant Preserve, Roslyn Harbor, New York. Project will restore an important coastal habitat of Long Island Sound.
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  • $170,000 to Develop a Long Island Sound Student Action Plan: Deliver hands-on environmental education and stewardship activities focused on addressing challenges to restoration and protection of the health and living resources of Long Island Sound, New York. Project will develop the next generation of environmental leaders.
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  • $113,017 for educational program to protect Shorebirds: Establish an education program that will increase support for coastal conservation and engage people in actions that help shorebirds thrive in important coastal habitats of the Sound.
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