Long Island Sound Targeted For Cleanup, Restoration
Federal and state officials have signed an agreement aimed at restoring Long Island Sound by 2014.
The agreement, signed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New York and Connecticut environmental agencies, includes specific goals for reducing bathing beach and shellfishing closures, restoring fish river runs for migratory fish and improving important habitats that support marine life.
Meeting on Wednesday at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, the Long Island Sound Study Policy Committee, which consists of regional administrators from the EPA and commissioners from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, approved 30 new goals for restoring the Sound and announced $4 million of new EPA funding for Sound related projects.
“Families that can enjoy a great vacation on Long Island Sound, businesses that are able to create jobs because of the Sound, and residents who can enjoy a higher quality of life along the Sound will all benefit from this agreement,” said EPA Region 2 administrator Jane Kenny. “We may not be able to return it fully to the pristine condition found in 1614, but we intend to make real progress in making Long Island Sound the very best it can be for everyone who lives, works and vacations here.”
The agreement sets an ambitious vision “to restore the health of Long Island Sound by 2014, the 400th anniversary of Adriaen Block’s exploration of Long Island Sound.” It builds upon the overall goals set forth in a Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) approved by the states and EPA in 1994 for cleaning up the Sound. The Policy Committee oversees implementation of the CCMP.
In addition to ongoing work to reduce nitrogen going into the Sound by 58.5 percent by 2014 and to restore at least 2,000 acres of habitat and 100 river miles for fish passage by 2008, compared to 1998 levels, the agreement includes target goals and time frames for open space acquisition, protection and the creation of a Long Island Sound Stewardship System.
Among the agreement’s highlights:
– By 2010, decrease the acreage closed year round to shellfishing due to bacteria pollution by 10 percent, compared to 2000 levels.
– By 2010, eliminate all chronic bathing beach closures in Long Island Sound due to bacteria pollution. Chronic closures are bathing areas closed at least three days a year for at least three of the past five years.
– In 2003, nominate the Pawcatuck and Mystic Rivers in Connecticut and all Long Island Sound embayments in New York as federal No Discharge Areas where waste discharges from boats would be illegal.
– By the end of 2003, map areas of Long Island Sound that support eelgrass, an important habitat for key fish and shellfish species, and promote research into the causes of its degradation.
“These goals and the framework that have been set forth by Connecticut and its partners will be instrumental in meeting and, indeed, surpassing standards we have established for the health of the Sound,” said Connecticut Governor John Rowland.
Provided by theEnvironmental News Service.
