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Highlights
Governor Hochul: It’s Time to Save the Bees!
In August, we joined NYS Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, environmental advocates, and farmers for a virtual press conference calling on Governor Hochul to sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act into law! This bill would ban the most harmful and unnecessary uses of toxic neonic pesticides that have been decimating bee and pollinator populations, contaminating water resources, and threatening public health. Neonics are likely the most ecologically destructive pesticides since DDT. Help us fight the pesticide industry and protect our pollinators by sending an email to Governor Hochul and tell her it is time to save the bees! You can also watch a recording of the press conference here.
Taking a Major Step Forward in Protecting Long Island’s Water from Forever Chemicals!
Unfortunately, carcinogenic 1,4-dioxane and PFAS “forever chemicals” have been detected in wells throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. In August, we attended the site for a new Suffolk County Water Authority AOP System that will remove PFAS and 1,4-dioxane from our drinking water. Our work fighting for state clean water funding is paying off! We got a great tour of the facility and had a press conference celebrating the eight new AOP systems in total that will ensure Suffolk’s water meets state drinking water standards for these toxic chemicals. Thank you to Suffolk County Water Authority, Senator Mario R. Mattera, and Assemblyman Steve Stern for your work to provide clean water to Suffolk residents.
Happenings
Weighing in on NY’s Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Bond Act
The $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Bond Act was approved overwhelming by New York State voters last November. This funding will allow our state to undertake urgently needed environmental improvement projects that are vital to New York’s future and provide necessary and overdue investments to solve pressing public health and environmental problems. Throughout July and August state agencies hosted listening sessions across NY to get ideas for projects from local communities. We attended listening sessions from Buffalo to Long Island and will be submitting a list of potential projects to improve water quality, fight climate change, preserve open space, and create green jobs. You can submit your ideas as well!
Fighting to Preserve Plum Island
We had a fantastic trip to Orient Point, overlooking Plum Island, with the Preserve Plum Island Coalition and Congressman Nick LaLota in August. Plum Island is an 840- acre island located 10 miles from Connecticut in the heart of Long Island Sound. Approximately 90% of the island is undeveloped, allowing pristine wetlands and grassland areas to flourish and giving the island tremendous ecological value. We are fighting to preserve Plum Island for future generations.
Transitioning to Offshore Wind
New York is poised to be a national leader in offshore wind, with five wind farms already selected and a mandate of 9,000MW of offshore wind by 2035. August saw some more big milestones for offshore wind:
Sunrise Wind Virtual Open House: We joined a virtual open house to hear about progress on the onshore construction work for Sunrise Wind. The Sunrise Wind Farm will be located off the coast of Montauk and will power 600,000 Long Island homes via a cable connection in Town of Brookhaven. The first phase of onshore construction activities is under way, with additional phases occurring later this year and into next year. If you missed the open house, you can check out the info here.
South Fork Wind: The South Fork Wind Farm will be NY’s first offshore wind, powering 70,000 homes on the east end of Long Island. The construction is under way and the project is expected to be online at the end of the year. As of last month, the foundations are now installed – Next step is installing the turbines!
Understanding the Health Risks of 1,4-Dioxane on Long Island
Yale Superfund Research Center has crafted a study to better understand the impact of 1,4-dioxane exposure on Long Island residents. This spring, we launched our partnership with Yale to provide education and outreach to inform Long Islanders about this new, exciting program. If you live on Long Island and are interested in participating and finding out if you have been exposed to 1,4-dioxane, you can find out more here. Last month we had a great meeting with NYS Senator Anthony Palumbo and Yale Superfund Research Center in Riverhead to spread the word and educate the public about this 1,4-dioxane health study.
Be on the Watch for Harmful Algal Blooms
As we start enjoying summer here in New York, it is important to be aware of dangerous harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs pose an immense threat to our communities’ drinking water, public health, outdoor recreation and wildlife. HABs are erupting across NY more frequently and more aggressively in NY waterbodies. To learn more about HABs and efforts taken to combat them on Cayuga Lake check out our short video. If you see a HAB in a lake or waterbody (looks like spilled green paint or pea soup), be sure to avoid it and report it using the DEC Suspicious Algal Bloom Report Form!
