Energy & Environment

“The Last Green Valley is an incredible asset to eastern Connecticut and to all of our region,” said Congressman Courtney.

“Plum Island is home to a diverse ecosystem, and it is a critical habitat for marine animals, migratory birds, and rare plants,” said the Representatives. “

“Plum Island is an ecological treasure, and I appreciate that the House Appropriations Committee has acknowledged this by including the repeal of the requirement for the island’s sale in this year’s Homeland Security spending bill,” said Courtney.

“The Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers program has been a successful tool for river and watershed preservation for decades. From the first piece of legislation I got signed into law that designated the Eightmile River to the Wood-Pawcatuck designation that I helped champion last month, Wild and Scenic Rivers have always been a top priority for me and for eastern Connecticut,” Courtney said.

“Today, the President signed into law legislation that codifies the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed as an entity of the National Park Service’s Wild and Scenic Program,” said Congressman Courtney. “This designation will bring much-needed funding for research and conservation to our own natural treasure in Connecticut and Rhode Island. I’m proud to have helped getting this bill over the finish line with my colleagues, and I know there are numerous stakeholders on the ground ready to get to work to preserve the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed for generations to come.”

Today’s introduction of a comprehensive, bipartisan bill to secure Plum Island’s future viability and environmental protection status is an exciting development. Looking back over the last two Congresses, Representative Zeldin and I have been able to pass legislation seeking to protect Plum Island on a bipartisan basis, and at times with unanimous support"