Utensils, condiment packets, napkins or extra containers will no longer be included in takeout orders unless specifically requested. Carolyn Manno reports.
Suffolk sales tax hike for sewers could need another trip through Albany
Wind turbines in the Great Lakes are coming… in 2035!
NYC takeout, delivery customers must ask for utensils and condiments under new law
Republican legislators fail to approve Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act for public vote
Kirsten Gillibrand seeks new regulations for perfluoroalkyl, polyfluoroalkyl
Long Island MacArthur Airport Superfund site: State DEC, Islip negotiating agreement on cleanup, officials say
The state Department of Environmental Conservation is negotiating an agreement with the Town of Islip for cleanup at Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma, which was declared a state Superfund site in February, both the DEC and the town told Newsday.
Calone, Romaine talk environmental problems in county executive debate
Long Island water quality has hit a low point, environmentalist says
“You could see the bottom of the water,” Montefusco recalled Thursday as he stood on the dock with several friends including Marty Lange, 86.
“Now, you can take a bright yellow, a chartreuse piece of line, drop it 2 inches into the water and you can’t see the line anymore,” Lange said.
Just a few feet away, Christopher Gobler, a professor at Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, stood with local environmentalists and unveiled troubling data that showed water quality hitting an “all-time low” on Long Island since he started monitoring it about a decade ago.
Environment Advocates Want New York State To Take Swift Action on PFAs
Water quality is at an ‘all time low’
Want to be Part of a New Public Health Study on 1,4-Dioxane?
CCE, Senator Anthony Palumbo, and the Yale Superfund Research Center will be hosting a free community meeting on August 9th to discuss the impacts of 1,4-dioxane and Yale’s new health study on Long Island
1,4-Dioxane is an emerging contaminant of concern in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. This chemical, referred to as a "forever chemical," has been used in industrial practices and was found in 80% of common household products tested, including shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent, baby products, and dish soap. The EPA has listed 1,4-dioxane as a carcinogen, but its effects on public health are still not well known. Unfortunately, Long Island has some of the highest levels of 1,4-dioxane in drinking water in the nation.
The Yale Superfund Research Center is in the initial phase of investigating 1,4-dioxane exposure on human health in Long Island communities. CCE has partnered with Yale Superfund Research Center in a 1,4-dioxane health study for Long Island residents. This study seeks to engage Long Island residents to better understand the impact of 1,4-dioxane exposure on public health. We will be recruiting community members to participate in this drinking water and blood sample study.
To learn more about this groundbreaking study, please join our Community Meeting with Senator Anthony Palumbo and the Yale Superfund Research Center. Register here
When: Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 6:30 PM
Where: Riverhead Free Library, 330 Court St, Riverhead, NY
Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
All of Us at CCE
SAVE THE BEES!
Tell Governor Hochul to Ban Toxic Neonic Pesticides in New York!
After years of hard work and advocacy, the NYS Legislature recently passed the Birds and Bees Protection Act! If signed into law, it would ban the most harmful and unnecessary uses of toxic neonicotinoid (“neonic”) pesticides. Neonic pesticides not only kill bees at an alarming rate, but they also pollute our water, kill wildlife, and threaten public health. Now we need YOUR help to urge Governor Hochul to sign this monumental legislation into law!
The Birds and Bees Protection Act (S.1856A/A.7640) would ban the most harmful and unnecessary uses of toxic neonic pesticides. The Act bans neonic treated corn, soybean, and wheat seeds and bans cosmetic uses (e.g. lawns, gardens, golf courses). This will eliminate at least 85% - 90% of all neonics used in New York, protect water quality, and ensure we are not poisoning our birds, bees, and other pollinators with this toxic pesticide. We need Governor Hochul to sign this crucial legislation into law! Email Governor Hochul today and urge her to sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act.
Additional Background Information:
Pollinators, such as honeybees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds, are essential components of our food web. Massive bee die-off events and colony collapse disorder are putting our ecosystem and food production at risk. This rise in bee deaths has been largely linked to the explosive growth in the use of neonics and other harmful pesticides. Neonics are pesticides that attack the nervous system of insects. These pesticides are largely added as a seed coating to plants, such as corn, wheat, and soybeans and are used as a spray for ornamental plants and turf grass. As a seed coating these chemicals persist and spread as the plant grows, making the entire plant toxic to bees and other pollinators.
Neonics are also threatening New York’s waters. A 2018 U.S. Fish and Wildlife study found neonics in New York’s streams “in excess of toxicity and regulatory thresholds.” Additionally, extensive testing of New York’s surface waters by the USGS in 2016, found the neonic imidacloprid in nearly 40% of samples. There are currently 117 pesticides found in Long Island’s groundwater, with neonics being one of the most prevalent pesticides detected. Neonics are persistent in our water and environment, posing a serious threat to health and pollinators.
Corn, soy, and wheat treated seeds account for an estimated 73% of all neonics used in New York. The use of neonics on lawns, gardens, and ornamental plants (aka cosmetic uses) make up an additional 15%. A 2020 report by Cornell University found that neonic treated corn, soy, and wheat seeds provide "no overall net income benefits" to farmers yet pose significant risk to bees and other pollinators. Likewise, cosmetic uses pose a high risk to pollinators but are easily replaced with safer alternatives. These uses are unnecessary and must be banned to protect our pollinators, water, and health.
Thank you! Together we can make a difference.
Sincerely,
All of Us at CCE
Last chance for Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act to get on November ballot
The Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act was designed to establish a countywide sewer district and water quality fund, and extend an existing fund intended to improve resident drinking water. If approved by the county legislature, it will be subject to a mandatory referendum in the November election, but there’s only one more chance to garner majority support before the July 25 general meeting.
What the Equinor survey ending later this year means for Island Park?
It’s been a quiet few months on the Equinor front, until now. The multi-billion-dollar Norwegian broad energy company has begun surveying south shore waters for old munitions and will soon be collecting sediment samples. In addition, “the planned offshore wind transmission act” known as bill A.7764 has passed through the State Assembly and Senate. The bill is intended to expedite wind power plants, much to environmental and labor groups glee and Republican politician’s chagrin.
Weigh in on the Future of the Great Lakes!
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing a plan to protect and restore the Great Lakes and they need to hear from you!
New York’s Great Lakes are a valuable resource that we rely on for our drinking water, recreation, tourism, economic development, and a healthy environment. Since 2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) has been providing federal funding to address the biggest threats to the Great Lakes. Investments have been made in successful efforts to restore habitats, address invasive species, clean up toxic hot spots, reduce pollution at the source, and more! While investments from the GLRI have yielded many successes, there is still work to be done.
The EPA is currently developing Action Plan IV, which will guide GLRI restoration efforts over the next 5 years (2024 - 2028) and will help determine how billions of dollars in federal investments will be allocated. We need to make sure that the updated plan continues progress on existing priorities while also including critical updates to address additional challenges.
There are three opportunities to weigh in with the EPA:
1. Attend an in-person public engagement session (for those near the Rochester area): On Wednesday, July 19, the U.S. EPA is hosting an in person public engagement session in Rochester, NY. At the session, the EPA will provide an overview of the GLRI and Action Plan IV, and then the public will be able to ask questions and provide comments. Join us at this engagement session to learn more about the GLRI and have your voice heard on what needs to be done to protect New York’s Great Lakes. This engagement session is free and open to the public.
Date: Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Rochester Museum and Science Center, 657 East Ave.
2. Submit a comment to the EPA via email! Use our email template and feel free to add your own suggestions and concerns.
3. Attend a virtual public engagement session: For those unable to make an in-person session, EPA will be holding an online public engagement session on Wednesday, August 23, 6pm – 8pm (EST). Register here.
Talking Points for Weighing in on Action Plan IV
We need to continue and accelerate existing steps to revitalize public, economic, and Great Lakes ecosystem health.
Two critical updates that we urge the EPA to highlight in Action Plan IV include:
1. Invest in climate change resiliency – Climate change is already impacting the Great Lakes and our communities. Investments in restoring Great Lakes coastal habitat, wetlands, and floodplains are examples of climate change resiliency projects that improve the regions’ ability to withstand the effects of climate change, while also improving the health of the ecosystem.
2. Make investments that promote equity – Often communities that are low-income and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by pollution and environmental degradation. Investments in the GLRI have accelerated restoration across the Great Lakes—these investments should ensure that communities most impacted also benefit from restoration efforts.
Thank you for taking action!
Sincerely,
Your Friends at CCE
Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ called PFAS detected in dozens of LI water districts
Nearly half of the tap water in the U.S. is contaminated with toxic chemicals known as PFAS, according to a new study, and Long Island is no exception. The contaminants have been linked to weakened immune systems, cancer and other health problems.
Advocates urge New York to adopt stricter standards for drinking water
State urged to adopt lower standards for 'forever chemicals'
Almost 90 bills passed in the committee, with 26 passing in both houses
Albany, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham completed his first legislative session as chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee (EnCon) recently with 89 bills passed out of committee, 44 of which passed in the Senate and 30 in both houses that now await the governor’s signature. Harckham, as committee chair, also led the budget table during the negotiations for the FY2024 Budget and ensured critical funding for a number of initiatives.
