U.S. Representatives Nick LaLota (R-Rocky Point) and Joe Courtney (D-Connecticut), co-chairs of the bipartisan Long Island Sound Caucus, recently announced that the House Natural Resources Committee passed their bipartisan Plum Island National Monument Act.
LaLota introduced the Plum Island National Monument Act in March 2023 as his first piece of legislation. This bill would establish Plum Island as a national monument for ecological conservation, historical preservation, and the discovery and celebration of our shared cultural heritage.
According to LaLota’s office. the amended legislation, which passed the House Natural Resources Committee, would require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a comprehensive study of Plum Island, New York. This study aims to assess the appropriateness of designating Plum Island, or parts of it, as a unit of the National Park System or the National Wildlife Refuge System, or exploring other protective measures for its resources.
The study would evaluate the national significance of Plum Island, assess the feasibility and suitability of its designation under the Department of the Interior, and consider alternative preservation methods involving federal, state, local, private, or nonprofit entities. The legislation would require consultations with relevant stakeholders and provide cost estimates for any federal actions related to the acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance of the proposed protections. The findings and recommendations must be reported to Congress within three years of funding availability.
“Preserving Plum Island is vital not only to our environmental stewardship but also to the legacy of Suffolk County’s unique natural and cultural heritage. I’m proud to see my bipartisan Plum Island National Monument Act advance through committee, bringing us one step closer to protecting it for future generations,” said LaLota. “This is a win for our environment, our economy, and for everyone who values protecting our irreplaceable resources. I’ll keep working with my colleagues to ensure its swift passage on the House floor.”
“Good news. Advancing this bipartisan, bicameral bill is the next step in determining the future of Plum Island and ensuring its conservation,” said Courtney. “I look forward to continuing working with the Caucus to get this bill across the finish line.”
“Plum Island is a unique and important piece of America,” said Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Arkansas), chair of the Natural Resources Committee.
Plum Island, is located in Southold Township about three miles from Orient. In 1954, the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) was established on the island and managed by the United States Department of Agriculture. In 2002, the Department of Homeland Security was tasked with continuing the operation. The laboratory researched foreign animal diseases and worked to prevent the introduction and spread of such diseases. After significant community concerns, in 2005, the PIADC was ordered to close and relocate to Manhattan, Kansas. The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Homeland Security are still deconstructing the PIADC.