Murphy, Blumenthal Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Protect And Restore Long Island Sound

Press Release

U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today introduced bipartisan legislation with U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), and New York Representatives Steve Israel (D-3) and Lee Zeldin (D-1), to continue to support the restoration of Long Island Sound through 2020. The Sound borders Connecticut and New York, with 9 million people living on the coast and 24 million people living within 50 miles. Although decades of overdevelopment, pollution, dumping of dredged materials, and releases of untreated sewage have severely hurt the water quality, the Sound's economic contribution, including from sport and commercial fishing, boating, recreation and tourism, is estimated to be between $17 billion and $37 billion annually. The Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act combines two complementary water quality and shore restoration program authorizations at their previous authorization levels of $40 million and $25 million per year, respectively. This legislation also provides for additional focus, oversight and coordination of federal activities related to the restoration of Long Island Sound.

"Long Island Sound is Connecticut's most valuable natural resource," said Senator Murphy. "The Sound is a proven economic driver for Connecticut, generating billions of dollars in tourism, fishing, shellfishing, and boating for the state annually, not to mention the more than 1300 square miles of coast that serve as home to hundreds of diverse wildlife species. For the millions of people who rely on Long Island Sound for work and recreation each year, we have an obligation to prioritize federal investments in its restoration and long-term health. The Long Island Sound Stewardship Act is a meaningful first step."

"This critical measure will ensure the preservation, restoration and maintenance of the Long Island Sound -- a vital resource that provides crucial economic and environmental benefits to the state of Connecticut," said Senator Blumenthal. "Not only is the Sound one of our nation's more precious natural resources and home to a diverse array of wildlife, the Sound is a foundation for hundreds of jobs in the tourism, shellfish, manufacturing, and maritime industries. I am proud to join with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in supporting this legislation to ensure that the Sound can be enjoyed for many generations to come."

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