Reps. Courtney and LaLota Applaud Committee Passage of Long Island Sound Reauthorization Bill, Heads to House Floor | Congressman Joe Courtney
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Reps. Courtney and LaLota Applaud Committee Passage of Long Island Sound Reauthorization Bill, Heads to House Floor

June 12, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT) and Congressman Nick LaLota (R-NY), Co-Chairs of the Long Island Sound Caucus, released the following statement after the House Natural Resources Committee passed their bipartisan Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act, which would reauthorize the Long Island Sound Program to ensure the protection and preservation of the Sound.

“Today’s bipartisan action on the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act is a very encouraging boost to the long-term efforts to preserve and manage this unique tidal estuary. This legislation reauthorizes the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Long Island Sound Programs for five years to ensure the Sound remains a valuable resource for our communities,” said Rep. Courtney. “Congress last established a five-year reauthorization under the then Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act in 2018, and it is necessary for us to renew our commitment to these critical programs. Thank you to Congressman LaLota, fellow Co-Chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus, for his leadership in advancing this bill through the Natural Resources Committee. I look forward to voting for it on the House Floor.”

“Today, after months of hard work, I’m thrilled to see our bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Long Island Sound program come one step closer to becoming law. As a vital piece of our economy, the Sound is critical to the daily life of thousands of Long Islanders,” said Rep. LaLota. “The Long Island Sound Program is too important to Long Island communities and must be reauthorized immediately. As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Long Island Sound Caucus, I look forward to ensuring this bill passes the House as soon as possible.”

To read the full text of the legislation, click HERE.

Background:

The Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act would reauthorize the Long Island Sound Program through 2028.

In 1985, Congress created the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) to identify and address the major environmental problems affecting the Long Island Sound. The LISS brings together the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), New York State, Connecticut, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions to help restore and protect the Long Island Sound, including the watershed, which spans up towards New Hampshire and Vermont into Canada.

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