CCE in the News

Coastal Restoration Coalition aims to curb climate-related threats to Long Island Sound

Coastal Restoration Coalition aims to curb climate-related threats to Long Island Sound

Member organizations will collaborate to advance coastal resiliency projects that preserve the ecological integrity of Long Island Sound’s coastlines.

NORWALK, Conn. — A newly established coalition will work to progress coastal resiliency projects to preserve the ecological integrity of Long Island Sound’s coastlines.

The creation of the Coastal Restoration Coalition was announced on Wednesday. It includes Audubon CT & NY, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, The Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Save the Sound and SoundWaters.

Advocacy around horseshoe crab protections bill heats up

Advocacy around horseshoe crab protections bill heats up

The bill has passed in Albany, but awaits governor’s signature

The future of a bill to enhance protections for horseshoe crabs in New York waters is unclear, but advocacy around the issue is heating up.

If signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), the bill would prevent the taking of horseshoe crabs for commercial or biomedical purposes in New York. The bill was passed by the state Assembly and Senate June 7, and though it has not yet been called up by the governor for consideration and potential signature or veto, advocates for and against the bill have been working hard to make their voices heard.

New York First to Ban Harmful Chemical Found in Shampoo, Cleaning Products

New York First to Ban Harmful Chemical Found in Shampoo, Cleaning Products

On September 18th, new regulations were announced, adopting new regulations to reduce the presence of 1,4-dioxane in household cleaning, personal care, and cosmetic products.

According to Sean Mahar, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar, New York State is the first in the country to adopt regulations that reduce 1,4-dioxane in these product categories to help protect consumers and natural resources and create healthier communities.

State finalizes rules for chemical 1,4-dioxane in household products

State finalizes rules for chemical 1,4-dioxane in household products

The state finalized regulations this week to limit a chemical classified as a likely human carcinogen in certain household products sold in New York, making it clear no products will be able to get waivers starting in 2026.

But more than 1,000 products with higher levels of the chemical 1,4-dioxane manufactured by various companies — mostly shampoos, shower gels and body washes — are still allowed to be sold due to waivers issued from the state that expire at the end of the year.

DEC Finalizes Regulations Restricting 1,4-Dioxane in Consumer Products

DEC Finalizes Regulations Restricting 1,4-Dioxane in Consumer Products

Measure Protects Public Health and Environment by Reducing Harmful Emerging Contaminant in Cleaning, Personal Care, and Cosmetic Products

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced the adoption of new regulations to reduce the presence of 1,4-dioxane in household cleansing, personal care, and cosmetic products. New York is the first state in the nation to adopt regulations that reduce 1,4-dioxane in these product categories to help protect consumers and natural resources and create healthier communities.  

North Hempstead will hold second vote on battery storage ban

North Hempstead will hold second vote on battery storage ban

The North Hempstead town board will reconsider a one-year moratorium on large battery storage systems in October, nearly two months after a similar vote failed.

In August, the board voted 3-1 on the resolution, with two abstentions. To pass a law in North Hempstead, a majority of four votes is required. North Hempstead became the first Long Island town to reject a proposal for a battery storage site.

First step completed of Sands environmental review

First step completed of Sands environmental review

The public spoke at the proposed Sands casino's recent environmental review scoping 

The Sands casino underwent an environmental review scoping hearing as the public informed Nassau County legislators on what to focus on during the environmental impact study.

Along Nassau County's South Shore, new water access points along Blueway Trail make for smooth sailing

Along Nassau County's South Shore, new water access points along Blueway Trail make for smooth sailing

FAST FACTS ABOUT SOUTH SHORE BLUEWAY TRAIL PLAN

The water-based South Shore Blueway Trail is designed for kayakers, canoeists and other non-motorized boaters along the South Shore of Long Island. It spans the coastal waterways of Nassau County, connecting scenic spots, nature preserves, parks and other access points between the western part of the county near the Western Bays, extending toward Suffolk County.

Residents express concerns over potential casino at Nassau Hub at hearing

Residents express concerns over potential casino at Nassau Hub at hearing

A hearing over what would be a key step in bringing a potential casino and resort to Nassau County brought dozens of people to the county's legislative chamber Monday. 

The purpose of the hearing is to hear from people in the community about what they would like to see in an environmental study of the Nassau Hub.

Sands casino: Plan could draw traffic and water quality worries, stakeholders say

Sands casino: Plan could draw traffic and water quality worries, stakeholders say

A $6 billion casino-resort at the site of the Nassau Coliseum would likely impact water usage, increase vehicular traffic and generate more solid waste, among other environmental impacts, speakers told county legislators Monday night, kicking off a lengthy review of the bid by Las Vegas Sands. 

Supporters said they believed Sands would successfully mitigate any concerns while opponents deemed the adverse effects on the Uniondale property would be reasons to deny the Nevada-based company the right to build. 

Dozens of Manorville homes will be connected to public water in $11 million project

Dozens of Manorville homes will be connected to public water in $11 million project

Soon after Ron Martz built his home on River Road in Manorville in 1993, tests of his private well water revealed high levels of iron.

Riverhead Town officials rejected his requests to connect to public water, he said. "We were told, ‘You will never get public water here,' " Martz, 71, recalled in a recent interview. "Never."

Sewage treatment upgrades spark Western Bay revival

Sewage treatment upgrades spark Western Bay revival

The Western Bays — the waters stretching 10 miles from the East Rockaway Inlet to the Jones Inlet — are in the midst of a much-needed resurgence.

The bays represent a vital sub-region of the South Shore Estuary Reserve, which is a crucial habitat for hundreds of wildlife species along the Atlantic Ocean.

Long Island water quality continues to improve. Here's what a new report says.

Long Island water quality continues to improve. Here's what a new report says.

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- A new report released on Thursday says drinking water is slowly getting safer on Long Island.

The findings credit stringent state and federal guidelines and mandatory chemical filtering from water suppliers. As CBS News New York's Jennifer McLogan reports, although multiple water districts exceed limits, there is overall growing improvement.

Long Island water quality improves as toxic chemical levels decline: report

Long Island water quality improves as toxic chemical levels decline: report

Long Island water shows decline in toxic chemicals

Despite concerns about Long Island’s drinking water, a Citizens Campaign for the Environment report shows levels of two toxic chemicals have decreased since the nonprofit's 2016 analysis. FOX 5 NY's Jodi Goldberg breaks down the findings and if residents should be concerned.

Newbridge Road Park Waterway Access Project

Newbridge Road Park Waterway Access Project

New Public Access Point Creates a Year-Round, ADA-Accessible Recreation Destination as Part of the Long Island South Shore Blueway Trail

Follows Completion of Connecting Access Point at Seamans Neck Park in Hempstead

Project Supports Governor’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” Summer Campaign to Encourage Kids and Families to Enjoy Outdoor Recreation

The New York Department of State today announced the completion of the Newbridge Road Park water access point project in the Town of Hempstead as part of the South Shore Blueway Trail Plan. The completion of this new public access point adds a year-round, ADA-accessible recreation destination that connects to the access point at Seamans Neck Park in Hempstead, creating a network of water access points for individuals to experience Long Island’s South Shore.

Drinking water source 'under stress': Study underscores burden on Long Island's aquifer

Drinking water source 'under stress': Study underscores burden on Long Island's aquifer

For years, conservationists have warned that too much drinkable water is being extracted from the aquifer — a critical repository deep below Long Island — but there wasn't a lot of recent data to define the extent of the problem.

That was until an eight-year study released in August found the aquifer is "under stress," leading to saltwater intrusion, draining of some groundwater-fed streams and abandonment of degraded public wells. The authors of the study, a collaboration between the U.S. Geological Survey and the state Department of Environmental Conservation, note some of these problems date back decades and have been exacerbated by climate change. 

Riverhead officials told Manorville residents they’d never have public water. It took a decade, but yesterday, residents proved them wrong.

Riverhead officials told Manorville residents they’d never have public water. It took a decade, but yesterday, residents proved them wrong.

It was a sight to behold. And one that was a long time coming.

Suffolk County Water Authority contractors who are installing mains that will carry clean drinking water to homes in a remote section of Manorville crossed into Riverhead Town from Brookhaven yesterday.

Four residents who were instrumental in the years-long fight for access to public water gathered midday on Wading River Manor Road and River Road to witness what was for them a momentous occasion.

Manorville Water Project Hits Next Phase

Manorville Water Project Hits Next Phase

The last batch of homes with private wells believed to be polluted by subterranean toxins are expected to soon be connected to the Suffolk County Water Authority system, officials said.

Suffolk County Water Authority breaks ground on water main extension

Suffolk County Water Authority breaks ground on water main extension

The Suffolk County Water Authority began work Monday on a major water main extension to bring public water to 64 homes in the Riverhead Town sections of Manorville and Calverton, taking them off private wells that have been shown to be contaminated by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. 

The delicate, slow task of restoring 3 Long Island wetlands

The delicate, slow task of restoring 3 Long Island wetlands

The securing of a federal grant last month to restore three coastal wetlands in Suffolk County is the start of a lengthy process to make sure the work doesn't do as much harm as good.

The selection of the sites — Cupsogue Beach Marsh, Scully Marsh and the East Islip Preserve — and securing of funding represent years of advance work, including collecting data on tidal flooding, risk assessments and a cost-benefit analysis. The cost of restoring Cupsogue, for example, is estimated at $2 million, with losses averted totaling $50.6 million.

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