Water Protection

Coastal Researchers Highlight Record-High Water Body Impairments; Urge Passage of Prop. 2

Coastal Researchers Highlight Record-High Water Body Impairments; Urge Passage of Prop. 2

Water bodies on Long Island faced a record-setting 36 dead zones during the summer of 2024,  and more than double the number of blue-green algae blooms in lakes and ponds than any other county in New York State, according to this year’s annual Long Island Water Quality Impairments report prepared by the Gobler Laboratory at Stony Brook University.

Suffolk County's Proposition 2 aims to improve water quality by funding sewers

Suffolk County's Proposition 2 aims to improve water quality by funding sewers

Proposition 2 asks voters to approve a small new sales tax to protect drinking water and waterways. 

Suffolk County voters are reminded and urged to turn their ballots over, where they'll find Proposition 2. It aims to set up a new sales tax fund to clean up Suffolk's waterways and drinking water by expanding public sewers and providing grants to homeowners to replace polluting cesspools. 

Record number of water quality problems in Long Island bays this summer, report finds

Record number of water quality problems in Long Island bays this summer, report finds

Fish kills, algal blooms and oxygen-deprived “dead zones” affected almost all of Long Island’s bays and estuaries this summer, according to scientists who monitor water quality at Stony Brook University's School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences.

Congressional Candidates Talk Climate

Congressional Candidates Talk Climate

When it comes to climate change, “if ever there was a Ground Zero for Long Island, it’s really the First Congressional District,” says Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, of the district that encompasses the entire East End. “It’s very critical to hold our congressional leaders accountable for climate change. People still actually don’t believe in climate change, as if it’s a faith based system. You can’t believe or not believe in gravity. You have to understand it is real.”

2024 Long Island Business Influencers

2024 Long Island Business Influencers

Adrienne Esposito
Executive Director
Citizens Campaign for the Environment

As executive director and a co-founder of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Adrienne Esposito has worked on numerous environmental campaigns for more than 35 years.  

Algae blooms threaten Long Island wildlife and waterways

Algae blooms threaten Long Island wildlife and waterways

LONG ISLAND - Harmful algae blooms are popping up in multiple bodies of water across Long Island.

The bays, lakes and ponds are not as clean and clear as they need to be - this according to an annual assessment of water quality report. 

"We had a record number of dead zones in 2024 with oxygen levels of less than 3mg oxygen per liter. Ideally, our coastal waterbodies will have 4.8mg oxygen per liter," said coastal ecologist Dr. Christopher Gobler at Stony Brook University. 

Rain garden at Huntington Beach helps divert pollutants from stormwater

Rain garden at Huntington Beach helps divert pollutants from stormwater

A rain garden designed to keep Huntington Harbor free of pollutants from stormwater runoff has been installed at a known flooding area near Gold Star Battalion Beach.

Algal blooms, oxygen-depleted zones affected Long Island waters in 2024, report says

Algal blooms, oxygen-depleted zones affected Long Island waters in 2024, report says

Last summer, dozens of Long Island’s ponds, lakes, bays and estuaries were affected by oxygen-depleted zones and harmful algal blooms, researchers from Stony Brook University found, which were triggered by excessive levels of nitrogen and exacerbated by record-high temperatures.

Suffolk County water quality on the ballot as voters consider Proposition 2

Suffolk County water quality on the ballot as voters consider Proposition 2

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. - Bays, ponds and estuaries on Long Island are losing oxygen

According to a new report, 36 different bodies of water have been deemed dead zones, and 25 marine waterways have harmful algal blooms. 

DEC adopts final rules limiting 1,4 dioxane in consumer products

DEC adopts final rules limiting 1,4 dioxane in consumer products

Regulations limiting the amount of the toxic chemical 1,4-dioxane in consumer products in New York State were adopted in final form by the State Department of Environmental Conservation last month.

New trail access point on the South Shore

New trail access point on the South Shore

FAST FACTS

The water-based South Shore Blueway Trail is designed for kayakers, canoeists and other non-motorized boaters along the South Shore of Long Island. It spans the coastal waterways of Nassau County, connecting scenic spots, nature preserves, parks and other access points between the western part of the county near the Western Bays, extending toward Suffolk County.

The trail provides a way for paddlers to explore the diverse coastal ecosystems, including marshes, wetlands and barrier beaches, while offering opportunities for recreation, wildlife observation and environmental education. It features multiple launch sites and stops for paddlers, with varying difficulty levels depending on the weather and tidal conditions.

New Coalition to Tackle Long Island Sound’s Climate Related Threats

New Coalition to Tackle Long Island Sound’s Climate Related Threats

Audubon CT & NY, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, The Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Save the Sound and SoundWaters today announced the formation of a new coalition that will work to advance coastal resiliency projects that preserve the ecological integrity of Long Island Sound’s coastlines.

Coalition Formed to Tackle Long Island Sound’s Threats

Coalition Formed to Tackle Long Island Sound’s Threats

Norwalk, CT – Audubon CT & NY, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, The Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Save the Sound and SoundWaters today announced the formation of a new coalition that will work to advance coastal resiliency projects that preserve the ecological integrity of Long Island Sound’s coastlines.

The announcement of the new Coastal Restoration Coalition comes during National Estuaries Week, a celebration highlighting the importance of ecosystems like Long Island Sound. The coastal habitats of estuaries, like the salt marshes and sand dunes that line the coasts of Connecticut and New York, provide natural benefits to our communities, including protecting people from storm surge and vital waterways from dangerous pollutants.

Coastal Restoration Coalition aims to curb climate-related threats to Long Island Sound

Coastal Restoration Coalition aims to curb climate-related threats to Long Island Sound

Member organizations will collaborate to advance coastal resiliency projects that preserve the ecological integrity of Long Island Sound’s coastlines.

NORWALK, Conn. — A newly established coalition will work to progress coastal resiliency projects to preserve the ecological integrity of Long Island Sound’s coastlines.

The creation of the Coastal Restoration Coalition was announced on Wednesday. It includes Audubon CT & NY, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, The Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Save the Sound and SoundWaters.

New York First to Ban Harmful Chemical Found in Shampoo, Cleaning Products

New York First to Ban Harmful Chemical Found in Shampoo, Cleaning Products

On September 18th, new regulations were announced, adopting new regulations to reduce the presence of 1,4-dioxane in household cleaning, personal care, and cosmetic products.

According to Sean Mahar, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar, New York State is the first in the country to adopt regulations that reduce 1,4-dioxane in these product categories to help protect consumers and natural resources and create healthier communities.

State finalizes rules for chemical 1,4-dioxane in household products

State finalizes rules for chemical 1,4-dioxane in household products

The state finalized regulations this week to limit a chemical classified as a likely human carcinogen in certain household products sold in New York, making it clear no products will be able to get waivers starting in 2026.

But more than 1,000 products with higher levels of the chemical 1,4-dioxane manufactured by various companies — mostly shampoos, shower gels and body washes — are still allowed to be sold due to waivers issued from the state that expire at the end of the year.

DEC Finalizes Regulations Restricting 1,4-Dioxane in Consumer Products

DEC Finalizes Regulations Restricting 1,4-Dioxane in Consumer Products

Measure Protects Public Health and Environment by Reducing Harmful Emerging Contaminant in Cleaning, Personal Care, and Cosmetic Products

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced the adoption of new regulations to reduce the presence of 1,4-dioxane in household cleansing, personal care, and cosmetic products. New York is the first state in the nation to adopt regulations that reduce 1,4-dioxane in these product categories to help protect consumers and natural resources and create healthier communities.  

First step completed of Sands environmental review

First step completed of Sands environmental review

The public spoke at the proposed Sands casino's recent environmental review scoping 

The Sands casino underwent an environmental review scoping hearing as the public informed Nassau County legislators on what to focus on during the environmental impact study.

Along Nassau County's South Shore, new water access points along Blueway Trail make for smooth sailing

Along Nassau County's South Shore, new water access points along Blueway Trail make for smooth sailing

FAST FACTS ABOUT SOUTH SHORE BLUEWAY TRAIL PLAN

The water-based South Shore Blueway Trail is designed for kayakers, canoeists and other non-motorized boaters along the South Shore of Long Island. It spans the coastal waterways of Nassau County, connecting scenic spots, nature preserves, parks and other access points between the western part of the county near the Western Bays, extending toward Suffolk County.