Reintroduction of the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act

REINTRODUCTION OF THE LONG ISLAND SOUND STEWARDSHIP ACT

SPEECH OF
HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO
OF CONNECTICUT
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

* Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act, legislation introduced today by the entire Long Island Sound Caucus.

* There have been a lot of disputes and arguments between Connecticut and New York about Long Island Sound over the years. And there are still some issues out there, but this bill sets the right tone for the debates that we may have about the Sound this year.

* This legislation is desperately needed. The Long Island Sound is among the most sensitive natural resources in the Nation. Ten percent of the country's population lives within 50 miles of the Sound. The shoreline is highly developed, which makes it tough to balance habitat maintenance, water quality and access to the Sound. The Sound is also a vital commercial area, providing an economic benefit of more than $5 billion to the economy of the region.

* If enacted, the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act will be a model public-private partnership that will improve management of one of the country's most important estuaries. The bill will protect some of the area's most threatened shoreline, using good science--not politics--as the means of directing federal and state dollars. Participation in the stewardship program is voluntary, meaning that private property owners' rights will be respected. Our bill brings together the Sound's numerous stakeholders--fishermen, conservationists, property owners and recreational users--to ensure that the Long Island Sound cleanup continues for generations to come.

* I urge my colleagues to allow this legislation to be considered during the 109th Congress.

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