Water

In Riverhead, Gillibrand Sounds The Alarm On The Disastrous $8 Million Cut To National Estuary Program Funding Proposed In FY26 Budget That Would Endanger Americans’ Health

In Riverhead, Gillibrand Sounds The Alarm On The Disastrous $8 Million Cut To National Estuary Program Funding Proposed In FY26 Budget That Would Endanger Americans’ Health

Contaminated water can lead to a plethora of health risks; cutting funding to maintain estuary water quality will endanger Americans’ well-being

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sounded the alarm on the proposed $8 million funding cut from the National Estuary Program (NEP) in the president’s FY26 budget. The NEP works to maintain and restore water quality of 28 estuaries across the United States, including the Peconic Estuary and Long Island Sound. Without sufficient funding, the NEP will not be able to monitor New York’s estuaries and keep them safe from threats such as excess nitrogen pollution, pathogens, and harmful algal blooms, which have been shown to be harmful to public health and the environment. Funding to restore and protect our estuaries also boosts coastal resilience from storms, improves tourism and recreation, and supports local jobs.

Sen. Gillibrand, environmental advocates urge full funding for National Estuaries Program

Sen. Gillibrand, environmental advocates urge full funding for National Estuaries Program

United States Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand came to Riverhead today to warn that the president’s proposed $8 million funding cut from the National Estuary Program could jeopardize ongoing efforts to protect and restore the Peconic Estuary.

With their wild look, native gardens bloom despite cultural and social hurdles

With their wild look, native gardens bloom despite cultural and social hurdles

Xilin Zhang was tired of the pressures of maintaining the “perfect lawn,” she said.

So Zhang, a homeowner in the village of New Hyde Park, yanked out her grass and turned her front lawn into a native plant garden: She planted milkweed, false sunflower, New York Ironweed and other plants native to the area. She began the work in 2021 and, over the past few years, her yard started to look like a “little national park,” she said, and was better for the environment, too.

What’s In The Water: Exclusive look inside Yale University labs to study impacts 1,4 dioxane on the human body

What’s In The Water: Exclusive look inside Yale University labs to study impacts 1,4 dioxane on the human body

News 12 is providing an exclusive look inside the labs at Yale University as researchers search for answers about how 1,4 dioxane impacts the human body.

What’s In The Water: Groundbreaking study offers insight into potential carcinogen in LI drinking water

What’s In The Water: Groundbreaking study offers insight into potential carcinogen in LI drinking water

News 12’s What’s In The Water series offers an exclusive look at a Yale University study into 1,4 dioxane and what the study will reveal about the dangers lurking in your drinking water.

A first-in-the-nation study hopes to answer questions about an emerging contaminant in Long Island water - and whether it can cause cancer.

DEC declares majority of Lawrence Aviation site ‘requires no further clean-up’

DEC declares majority of Lawrence Aviation site ‘requires no further clean-up’

On July 2, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation gathered with local officials at Port Jefferson’s former Lawrence Aviation site to announce the proposed delisting of 96% of the land from the New York State Superfund Registry.

Superfund cleanup of Long Island aviation site finally concludes

Superfund cleanup of Long Island aviation site finally concludes

A former aviation facility in Long Island that had contaminated groundwater and nearby drinking wells is ready for redevelopment following a decades-long cleanup, state environmental officials said Wednesday.

A $50 million superfund cleanup successfully restored nearly all of the 125-acre tract of land where Lawrence Aviation Industries once manufactured titanium sheet metal in Suffolk County.

DEC Announces Cleanup Milestone for Lawrence Aviation Superfund Site on Long Island

DEC Announces Cleanup Milestone for Lawrence Aviation Superfund Site on Long Island

Portion of Site Recommended for Removal from State’s Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced that the cleanup of the former Lawrence Aviation Industries site has reached a significant milestone in the removal of contamination from the site of the former industrial manufacturing facility in the town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County. The announcement was made during a visit by the Commissioner and local officials to the long-vacant industrial site on Long Island. Following cleanup and restoration efforts, environmental monitoring shows the site has achieved removal criteria to delist portion of the site from the Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites list (State Superfund Registry). DEC is seeking public review and comment on its determination that most of the site no longer requires further cleanup under the State Superfund (SSF) program.

CCE Director Esposito discusses environment and health at PJS-Terryville Civic meeting

CCE Director Esposito discusses environment and health at PJS-Terryville Civic meeting

The June 24 Port Jefferson Station-Terryville Civic Association meeting at Comsewogue Library saw Adrienne Esposito, the executive director for the Suffolk based CCE (Citizens Campaign for the Environment), featured as a special guest. Esposito touched on a number of topics related to health, the environment and local infrastructure and in particular advocated for three bills in the state senate and assembly.

Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay’s Clean Water Septic System Bill passes Legislature unanimously

Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay’s Clean Water Septic System Bill passes Legislature unanimously

Legislation Expands Access to Modern Septic Systems, Protecting Groundwater and Waterways Across New York 

In a major environmental and affordability win, Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay announced the unanimous passage of her legislation (A8807/S8241-A) in both the New York State Assembly and Senate. The bill updates the reimbursement structure of the New York State Septic System Replacement Fund, making it easier and more affordable for New Yorkers to upgrade to advanced septic systems that significantly reduce water pollution, according to a press release.

Plan to convey part of Kings Point Park for community center parking lot dies in Albany

Plan to convey part of Kings Point Park for community center parking lot dies in Albany

A proposal to alienate 2.48 acres of Kings Point Park to create a parking lot for a community center died in the State Assembly on Tuesday. 

The bill, proposed by Assemb. Daniel Norber (R-Great Neck), did not make it to the floor before the legislative session ended Tuesday. A companion bill proposed by State Sen. Jack Martins (R-Old Westbury) passed the Senate on Friday.

Federal, State and Local Partners Renew Pledge to Protect Long Island Sound

Federal, State and Local Partners Renew Pledge to Protect Long Island Sound

On Friday, June 20th, over 125 engaged citizens and governmental officials celebrated forty years of advocacy by partners of the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) to protect Long Island Sound, our nation’s second largest estuary, from pollution and other threats. The milestone was marked by the renaming of LISS to Long Island Sound Partnership (LISP) and the signing of a new bipartisan Comprehensive Conservation & Management Plan (CCMP). “The CCMP provides a blueprint for collaboration and establishes goals, objectives and actions for the next 10 years to further restore and protect the Sound.”

Suffolk County to study more sites as it expands water probe near Grumman's Calverton campus

Suffolk County to study more sites as it expands water probe near Grumman's Calverton campus

Suffolk County has launched a new probe into groundwater contamination around the former Grumman plant in Calverton, heeding calls from activists who worry the plume is threatening more private drinking wells, officials said.

Suffolk County Water Authority Achieves Full Compliance with Federal PFAS Standards Six Years Early

Suffolk County Water Authority Achieves Full Compliance with Federal PFAS Standards Six Years Early

Despite widespread PFAS contamination on Long Island, SCWA delivers treated water with no PFOA or PFOS above federal limits.

The Suffolk County Water Authority announced today that all treated water it supplies to customers is in full compliance with the federal drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS—six years ahead of the 2031 compliance deadline set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

New York state offers $1.5m in grants to protect Long Island's South Shore Estuary

New York state offers $1.5m in grants to protect Long Island's South Shore Estuary

The New York Department of State has announced the availability of $1.5 million in grants to protect, preserve, and restore the South Shore Estuary Reserve on Long Island. The funding, timed to coincide with World Oceans Month, supports the implementation of the recently adopted $3.5 million SSER Strategic Investment Plan.

Targeted to municipalities, nonprofits and academic institutions, the grants aim to improve shoreline resiliency, enhance water quality, and expand public access to water-based recreation.

NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF $1.5 MILLION IN GRANTS TO PROTECT, PRESERVE AND RESTORE LONG ISLAND’S SOUTH SHORE ESTUARY RESERVE

NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF $1.5 MILLION IN GRANTS TO PROTECT, PRESERVE AND RESTORE LONG ISLAND’S SOUTH SHORE ESTUARY RESERVE

Funding Implements Strategies to Increase Shoreline Resiliency, Water Quality and Recreational Accessibility for Long Island Residents  

Funding Coincides With and Celebrates World Oceans Month

In celebration of World Oceans Month, the New York Department of State today announced the availability of $1.5 million in funding through the South Shore Estuary Reserve (SSER) Local Assistance Grants Program. The grants will help communities advance SSER priorities, including improved water quality, shoreline resiliency, habitat health, accessible water-based recreation and tourism, environmental education and economic development.  The Program is the first step in the implementation of the $3.5 million SSER Strategic Investment Plan to guide future funding opportunities.    

U.S. Navy seeks interviews with Grumman retirees as they probe cleanup of Calverton site

U.S. Navy seeks interviews with Grumman retirees as they probe cleanup of Calverton site

When Grumman closed its Calverton weapons plant in 1996, some 3,000 employees lost their jobs.

Now, the U.S. Navy is hoping to connect with those former employees — or family members — as officials search for missing puzzle pieces in the probe of contamination at the sprawling 6,000-acre site.

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