pollution

Bags meant to stop erosion now decaying, sending plastic sheds into South Shore estuary

Bags meant to stop erosion now decaying, sending plastic sheds into South Shore estuary

On a small crescent of shoreline just off the road to Jones Beach, unruly stacks of sandbag fortifications lay slumped on the narrow beach. Most of the hundreds of bags were split and disgorging their contents onto the damp sand below; others were half-buried by overwashed sand.

More Than 100 Organizations and 700 New Yorkers Demand Stronger Protections from Landfill Leachate

More Than 100 Organizations and 700 New Yorkers Demand Stronger Protections from Landfill Leachate

A coalition led by New York River Watch says the proposed regulations on leachate management is an important step, but New York must close loopholes and stop the perpetual cycling of toxic pollution.

ingston, NY — More than 100 organizations and 700 individuals have urged New York State to strengthen proposed regulations governing the management and treatment of landfill leachate as the public comment period comes to a close on September 9, 2026.

In Calverton, Schumer calls on Navy to expedite remediation of toxic Grumman weapons plant plume

In Calverton, Schumer calls on Navy to expedite remediation of toxic Grumman weapons plant plume

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and local officials are calling on the U.S. Navy to expedite cleanup efforts at a former development site and of  a toxic groundwater plume that is inching toward the Peconic Bay.

Schumer appeared in Calverton Thursday to call on the U.S. Navy to resume testing of the plume at Enterprise Park after the Navy pushed back a deadline 10 years to 2039, to conclude its assessment and come up with a plan to clean up contaminants from the former Grumman weapons plant. 

That’s Your Water

That’s Your Water

A Manhattan law firm, with an East End connection, is planning PFAS litigation

“We represent over 2,000 individuals from Nassau and Suffolk counties who have developed four types of cancer — liver, kidney, thyroid and testicular cancers — and also ulcerative colitis, in litigation involving PFAS,” said Jeffrey Guzman, a founding member of a law firm based on Wall Street in Manhattan, Krentsel Guzman Herbert.

New leader takes helm of Long Island Sound Partnership

New leader takes helm of Long Island Sound Partnership

The Environmental Protection Agency has named Nicole “Nikki” Tachiki as the new director of the Long Island Sound Partnership, placing a longtime agency scientist and program planner at the helm of a regional effort focused on improving the health of the Long Island Sound and the communities that surround it.

EPA scientist Nicole Tachiki lauded as new head of Long Island Sound Partnership

EPA scientist Nicole Tachiki lauded as new head of Long Island Sound Partnership

A life scientist with the Environmental Protection Agency is the new leader of an interagency program created to improve the health of Long Island Sound.

Nicole Tachiki, named acting director of the EPA's Long Island Sound office in 2025, is now in charge of Long Island Sound Partnership, which began in 1985 as the Long Island Sound Study — an EPA-run effort in collaboration with New York and Connecticut aimed at cleaning up the Sound.

Suffolk's ambitious plan to replace septic systems is behind schedule, upping calls for mandates

Suffolk's ambitious plan to replace septic systems is behind schedule, upping calls for mandates

Five years ago, Suffolk County launched a plan to dig up and replace every outmoded, polluting septic tank and cesspool in the county. The ambitious project, one of the largest causes championed by Long Island environmentalists over the past several decades, was expected to take 50 years. 

NYS boosts grants for boating pump-out stations

NYS boosts grants for boating pump-out stations

State officials plan to boost funding for the Clean Vessel Assistance Program, a grant initiative that helps marinas install and upgrade boat pump-out stations that reduce water pollution.

Avoiding whale and boat collisions

Avoiding whale and boat collisions

In response to increased collisions between boats and marine mammals off New York’s coast, state lawmakers want better training for boaters to protect dolphins and whales. We discuss this issue with Adrienne Esposito, executive director of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

New York sues chemical manufacturers over PFAS in consumer goods

New York sues chemical manufacturers over PFAS in consumer goods

New York attorney general Letitia James sued chemical manufacturers (PDF) 3M, DuPont, Corteva, Chemours, and EIDP in state court on July 9 for their role in contributing to pollution and other alleged harms from the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products.

What would a new Bethpage Community Park look like? One plan lays that out.

What would a new Bethpage Community Park look like? One plan lays that out.

In a fenced-off area of Bethpage Community Park, a long-delayed cleanup of a former chemical dumping ground trudges along: Construction excavators have dug into the landscape in recent years, and arrays of metal pipes have drilled into the dirt.

How Native Plants Pay Off for Long Island Homeowners

How Native Plants Pay Off for Long Island Homeowners

A new round of funding is now open to Long Island property owners willing to trade some lawn for native plants—and the reasons to apply go beyond a reimbursement check.

The Long Island Garden Rewards Program, a partnership among the Long Island Regional Planning Council, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Long Island Sound Partnership, the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Program, and NEIWPCC, offers reimbursements of up to $500 to property owners who install rain barrels, create rain gardens, or plant native species on their land. Homeowners, businesses, and nonprofits are eligible. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis until funding runs out. Since the program launched in 2023, more than 580 property owners have received reimbursements.

NYS adds funds for environmental work, along with climate law delay

NYS adds funds for environmental work, along with climate law delay

ALBANY — The recently passed state budget includes more money for top environmental issues, like clean water, protecting Long Island’s estuaries, increasing renewable energy sources and weaning the state off fossil fuels.

But the changes to the state’s landmark climate law Gov. Kathy Hochul muscled through cast a pall over other progress environmentalists felt they made.

Toxic plume reaches Swan Pond, contaminates private wells near former Navy Grumman site

Toxic plume reaches Swan Pond, contaminates private wells near former Navy Grumman site

Chemicals linked to the Navy’s former Grumman site have spread to Swan Pond and contaminated three private drinking water wells nearby, according to a new report by the Navy.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says agency is "going in the right direction" as Long Islanders call for him to do more

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says agency is "going in the right direction" as Long Islanders call for him to do more

The Environmental Protection Agency has come under fire for staff firings, climate and deregulation controversies, but Administrator Lee Zeldin, who is from Long Island, returned to his home turf Friday to spread the word on what is right with the EPA.

Community effort brings new pollinator habitat to Great Patchogue Lake

Community effort brings new pollinator habitat to Great Patchogue Lake

More than 50 volunteers spent part of their weekend helping create a new pollinator garden along Great Patchogue Lake, a project designed to support struggling bee and butterfly populations while improving local water quality.

Environmental groups, alongside County Executive Ed Romaine, call for Long Island Sound protection funds

Environmental groups, alongside County Executive Ed Romaine, call for Long Island Sound protection funds

On May 14, the Farmingdale-based Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) released a report of Long Island Sound water quality restoration projects it would like to see funded through the New York State Environmental Bond Act. The list was composed following meetings with village, town, county, and state representatives from across Long Island and shared digitally following a press conference at Northport Yacht Club.

Lee Zeldin's EPA moves to roll back standards on toxic chemicals in drinking water

Lee Zeldin's EPA moves to roll back standards on toxic chemicals in drinking water

The Environmental Protection Agency last week announced a long-anticipated proposal to rescind federal limits on certain toxic "forever chemicals" in drinking water — established two years ago by the Biden administration — a move New York has sought to neutralize.

Harckham, Glick, Advocates Call for Passing of Packaging Reduction Bill

Harckham, Glick, Advocates Call for Passing of Packaging Reduction Bill

Legislators joined by colleagues, environmental organizations and advocates in support of bill that will reduce packaging 30% over 12 years and save New Yorkers $1.3 billion

Albany, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Deborah Glick, along with other state legislators and a large group of environmental, consumer, public health and municipal advocates from across New York, called today for support of the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA) at a press conference in the New York State Capitol. 

Trump administration moves to roll back PFAS drinking water rules

Trump administration moves to roll back PFAS drinking water rules

The Trump administration announced plans this week to roll back portions of the nation’s first federal drinking water standards for PFAS chemicals, drawing criticism from environmental advocates on Long Island who say the move weakens protections for communities already grappling with groundwater contamination.