conservation

Sen. Gillibrand, local leaders oppose federal funding cuts affecting Peconic Estuar

Sen. Gillibrand, local leaders oppose federal funding cuts affecting Peconic Estuar

U.S. Senator Kristen Gillibrand paid a visit to Riverhead on Monday morning to warn about President Donald Trump’s proposed $8 million federal funding cut from the National Estuary Program, which could threaten ongoing efforts to maintain and restore the Peconic Estuary and Long Island Sound.

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.

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.

Lawrence Aviation site cleanup is complete, officials say

Lawrence Aviation site cleanup is complete, officials say

Two decades ago, the sprawling grounds of the shuttered Lawrence Aviation Industries in Port Jefferson Station were littered with thousands of barrels leaking industrial solvents that created a mile-long toxic plume between the Sheep Pasture Road property and Port Jefferson Harbor.

DEC Announces New 43-Acre Conservation Easement to Preserve Open Space in Brentwood

DEC Announces New 43-Acre Conservation Easement to Preserve Open Space in Brentwood

Easement Permanently Protects Globally Rare Pine Barrens Ecosystem

Advances New York’s ‘30 x 30’ Open Space Protection Goals and Helps Connect New Yorkers in Environmental Justice Communities to the Outdoors

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced the permanent protection of more than 43 acres of globally rare pine barrens owned by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brentwood, town of Islip. DEC acquired a conservation easement from the Sisters and will jointly manage the property with them for groundwater an

Amanda Lefton Takes the Helm: New York’s Environmental Future Gets a Bold New Leader

Amanda Lefton Takes the Helm: New York’s Environmental Future Gets a Bold New Leader

Amanda Lefton appointed as commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, with the trust of Governor Kathy Hochul.

The ‘elephant in the room’ at Palumbo’s annual environmental roundtable: future of federal funds

The ‘elephant in the room’ at Palumbo’s annual environmental roundtable: future of federal funds

Representatives of two dozen organizations gathered Thursday for an annual environmental roundtable meeting hosted by State Senator Anthony Palumbo to discuss regional environmental issues, concerns and needs. The event went off as it does every year: a cordial, free-wheeling, pass-the-mic conversation.

If the ongoing federal staffing cuts and budget-slashing being undertaken by the Trump administration worried the environmental advocates and government officials in the room, their concerns were mostly left unspoken —even though most of the programs addressing local environmental issues substantially rely on federal funding.

Navy Nudged: Local Officials Urge Feds to Clean Up Calverton Contamination

Navy Nudged: Local Officials Urge Feds to Clean Up Calverton Contamination

Local officials, advocates and residents are renewing calls for the U.S. Navy to clean up toxins used at the former Calverton-based Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant that are polluting local waters.

Suffolk County lawmakers eye cellphone towers on county-owned parkland

Suffolk County lawmakers eye cellphone towers on county-owned parkland

Suffolk legislators will vote next week to consider a bill allowing wireless cellphone towers to be built on county-owned parkland.

A resolution to allow parkland to be considered for wireless facilities was approved Wednesday morning by a 5-0 vote in the county legislature’s Committee on Governmental Operations, Personnel and Information Technology.

Betting on Long Island with the Las Vegas Sands

Betting on Long Island with the Las Vegas Sands

The real estate roulette wheel is spinning – and it’s at least possible that the ball will settle on a multi-billion-dollar Long Island resort and casino.

The Las Vegas Sands is seeking to build a $6 billion integrated resort and casino in Uniondale if it is awarded one of three downstate gaming licenses from the state. It is the only bid on Long Island.

Zeldin Confirmed To EPA; Environmentalists Ask That He Remember Roots

Zeldin Confirmed To EPA; Environmentalists Ask That He Remember Roots

LONG ISLAND, NY — As the Senate confirmed former Rep. Lee Zeldin as administrator of the Environmental Agency, local advocates are imploring that he "hold strong and do what's right to protect our environment and our future."

Zeldin was confirmed by the Senate in a vote of 56 to 42, with two not voting.

"CONFIRMED! Thank you to the 56 senators for your vote and confidence," Zeldin wrote on X, adding that he was "grateful" to President Donald Tump for "having the faith in me to be part of his Cabinet as EPA Administrator."

Casino bid at Nassau Coliseum renews concern for its next-door neighbors: Two dozen species of birds

Casino bid at Nassau Coliseum renews concern for its next-door neighbors: Two dozen species of birds

Tucked among the malls, parkways and office buildings of central Nassau County is 100 acres of natural habitat for birds, insects and threatened plant species resembling a prairie in the Midwest. 

The rare, county-owned grasslands sit adjacent to another county-owned site: The 72-acre asphalt property of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum where Las Vegas Sands has proposed a $6 billion casino-resort.

Environmentalists Outraged Over Hochul's Horseshoe Crab Bill Veto

Environmentalists Outraged Over Hochul's Horseshoe Crab Bill Veto

"While this bill is well-intentioned, the management of marine species is better left to the experts at DEC." — Gov. Kathy Hochul.

NEW YORK— Environmentalists are outraged over Gov. Kathy Hochul's recent decision to veto the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, which prohibits the taking of horseshoe crabs from New York waters. The legislation would have allowed the populations to recover and ensured the survival of the important species, advocated said.

Village receives environmental award for living shoreline project

Village receives environmental award for living shoreline project

Patchogue Village officials were recognized Wednesday for their efforts to protect the environment.

The South Shore Estuary Reserve program and Citizens Campaign for the Environment presented mayor Paul Pontieri and village trustees with the South Shore Estuary Reserve 2024 Stewardship Award.

NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELEASES $3.5 MILLION STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PLAN TO PROTECT AND RESTORE LONG ISLAND’S SOUTH SHORE ESTUARY RESERVE

NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELEASES $3.5 MILLION STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PLAN TO PROTECT AND RESTORE LONG ISLAND’S SOUTH SHORE ESTUARY RESERVE

Local Government Grants and Technical Assistance Programs Will Improve Water Quality, Shoreline Resiliency, Habitat Health, Recreational Opportunities and Economic Development

Hochul Vetoes Horseshoe Crab Harvest Ban

Hochul Vetoes Horseshoe Crab Harvest Ban

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has vetoed a bill that would have banned the harvest of horseshoe crabs for bait or biomedical research, saying in her veto statement Dec. 13 that she believes the management of marine species “is better left to the experts” at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.