Citizens Campaign for the Environment

CAMPAIGNS

WATER PROTECTION

Aquatic Invasive Species:

Aquatic Invasive Species
Causing severe economic and ecological damage, invasive species are a top threat to Earth's biodiversity, second only to habitat loss. CCE is working to halt the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species to protect the Great Lakes, our estuaries, and our inland waters.

Carmans River
The Carmans River, located in Brookhaven, NY, is one of four major rivers on Long Island. It used to be a 10 mile river, beginning north of the Long Island Expressway and flowing all the way to the Great South Bay. Centuries ago, dams were installed that created a series of lakes. The lakes have since provided energy, recreation, and a source of income for citizens in the area. Recently, the Carmans River has been seriously threatened by two invasive plant species, Variable Leaf Milfoil and Cabomba. These are highly invasive species that have been increasing in population steadily since their introduction to the lakes a few years ago. In December of 2007, a Carmans River Task Force was created to address the serious invasive plant problem.

Drinking Water:

MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether) Pollution in Drinking Water
MTBE, a possible carcinogenic chemical, historically used as a fuel additive, has contaminated soils, groundwater, and surface and coastal waters in New York State, Connecticut, New Jersey, and across the nation. After recent victories to strengthen the MTBE drinking water standard and to ban MTBE from gasoline sold in the Tri-State Region, for the MTBE industry to be held responsible for the costs of thousands of sites across the state in need of remediation.

Special Feature: Long Island Groundwater

Great Lakes:

Great Lakes
With miles of spectacular beaches, wildlife-rich wetlands, amazing fishing opportunities, expansive forests, and clean drinking water, the Great Lakes ecosystem is undoubtedly one of the most magnificent treasure troves of natural resources on Earth. CCE works at the local, state, and federal level to protect Great Lakes water quality and quantity.

Special Feature: Great Lakes Conference

Long Island Sound:

Broadwater: Liquefied Natural Gas Facility Endangers Long Island Sound
The attacks on Long Island Sound continue. Broadwater, a venture between Shell Oil and TransCanada Pipeline, is seeking to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility nine miles off Rocky Point in the middle of the Long Island Sound. If approved this facility could represent the first of its kind throughout the world and would be the largest industrial use in the Sound. CCE is working to stop development of this LNG facility.

Long Island Sound Dredged Materials
On April 9, 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency released a plan to designate two sites in Long Island Sound as long-term dumpsites, to receive 20 million cubic yards of untreated dredged material. CCE opposed this harmful plan. In spring of 2005, New York and Connecticut came to an agreement, which marked the beginning of the end to dumping in the Sound! Victory!

Long Island Sound Protection
The Long Island Sound is a vital recreational, tourist and economic resource to New York and Connecticut, generating over $5.5 billion in annual revenue for the local economy. The health of the Sound is important to the livelihood of the communities that surround it. For almost 20 years CCE has been working to protect Long Island Sound, which was named an Estuary of National Significance by Congress. CCE continues to work to secure funding and actively participates in all cleanup efforts in the Sound.

Millstone Nuclear Power Station
Millstone Nuclear Power Station in Waterford, Connecticut uses 2 billion gallons of Long Island Sound water per day for its outdated "once-through cooling system” which kills billions of larvae, eggs, juveniles, and adult fish through entrainment, impingement, and thermal shock. CCE is working to urge the CT Department of Environmental Protection to require Millstone upgrade its cooling system to a "closed-cycle system" to protect marine life by reducing water usage by 90%.

Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve:

Special Feature: Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve

Ocean Protection:

Ocean Protection
Within the last two years, two landmark reports were released assessing the quality of our oceans. Both reports, independently, came to one conclusion: our oceans are in trouble. New York and Connecticut's waterways are of the utmost importance to CCE. CCE works on the federal and state level for legislation that is protective of our water resources and the historical use of our waterways.

Onondaga Lake:

Onondaga Lake: Ending a Legacy of Contamination
Onondaga Lake, located on the northwest side of Syracuse, NY, was once a celebrated resort area but is currently one of the most polluted lakes in the world. CCE continues to advocate for the remediation of this treasured resource.

Owasco Lake:

Owasco Lake
Of all the Finger Lakes, Owasco Lake is uniquely vulnerable to pollution due to its large watershed, relatively small surface area, and shallow depth. Owasco Lake is the source of drinking water for most of Cayuga County, and CCE is advocating to improve water quality by reducing nutrient loading from wastewater treatment plants as well as agricultural and urban polluted runoff.

Sewage Pollution:

Sewage Pollution
Many communities in New York State, Connecticut, and throughout the nation are served by aging and dilapidated sewage infrastructure. When our sewage infrastructure is not properly operated or maintained, billions of gallons of untreated sewage, containing disease-causing microorganisms, floating human waste, toxic pollutants, oil, grease, pesticides, drugs, and other contaminants, can be released in to the environment before reaching a treatment plant. In addition to posing public health risks, sewage is rich in environmental nutrients, like nitrates and phosphates, which degrade water quality and cause algal blooms, hypoxia, and fish kills. CCE works at the state and federal level to adopt stronger policies to eliminate sewage pollution, provide adequate funding for our sewage infrastructure, and mandate public notification when sewage overflows occur.

Special Feature: New York State Sewer Scorecard Report

Wetlands Protection:

Wetlands Protection
Wetlands provide essential benefits to the people and environment of New York State, including protecting the quality and quantity of our drinking water, providing buffers against flooding, and serving as habitat for thousands of plant and animal species. Due to a gap in state wetlands protection, smaller NYS wetlands are being polluted and destroyed with no legal consequence. CCE is working statewide in New York to increase wetlands protection.