Lawmakers seek $20M for L.I. Sound

A Congressional coalition from Connecticut and New York is asking President Donald Trump for more money to improve Long Island Sound and warning the waterway’s health remains fragile and endangered.

“If we consider the status quo acceptable, the Long Island Sound and the coastline we know will not be recognizable to the next generation,” the U.S. senators and House members said in a letter to Trump. “As a result, the vibrant business community and economic activity the Sound supports will dwindle.”

The lawmakers are seeking $20 million in the 2020 federal budget now being put together.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., joined U.S. senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, both Connecticut Democrats, in calling for the money.

Also signing the letter were Connecticut U.S. representatives Jim Himes, Joe Courtney, John Larson and Rosa DeLauro and New York’s Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and representatives Lee Zeldin, Peter King and Thomas Suozzi.

The federal government in the past has provided funding for ongoing cleanup of the Sound, nitrogen reduction and shoreline projects. But with a government shutdown under way, the demand by the coalition is considered a timely warning to Trump that other pressing needs should not outweigh Sound funding.

Urgent call

Bill Lucey, the Long Island soundkeeper, said the request is a “big deal” and represents an increase from the $12 million allocated last year. But the money is still well short of the $65 million in annual funding authorized years ago to reduce nitrogen and make other improvements, he said.

“The money goes into research and programs,” Lucey said. “The 58 percent reduction in nitrogen that we have seen goes through this steward program.”

The eastern portion of the Sound is considered the cleanest region, in part because of natural flushing from the open ocean and less population density along the shore.

The western portion continues to test high for nitrogen levels, which robs the water of oxygen and chokes off sea life, in part because of inadequate wastewater treatment systems along the shore.

The letter to Trump calls attention to the fact that cleaning up the Sound is still a work in progress. The appeal is also bipartisan: King and Zeldin are Republicans.

“The Sound is a proven economic driver in the Northeast, generating at least $17 billion to the regional economy from transportation, fishing and recreational activities it supports,” the lawmakers told Trump.

“Long Island Sound Geographic Program funding has allowed local communities across the watershed to make significant progress in improving the Sound,” the coalition said.

“In the most recent award year, projects spanned four states and included funding for building environmentally friendly coastal resiliency structures, monitoring water quality, constructing fishways, reducing nitrogen pollution and protecting marine life,” the coalition said.

Climate change impacts

Long Island Sound programs last year assisted wastewater cleanup efforts and nitrogen removal.

The state is using federal funding to gain a better understanding of microplastic pollution and to reopen a migratory fishway that hasn’t been used by blueback herring in 300 years.

“Over the years, important projects have been funded that promoted habitat restoration of coastal wetland areas as well as watershed management projects and opening many miles riverine habitat for migratory fish to spawn,” said Rob Klee, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Klee said a recent $2 million federal allocation — the state’s portion of $2.6 million recently dedicated to Sound improvements — will fund 20 projects in Connecticut and four along the Connecticut River watershed.

“We have also witnessed the impacts of climate change, with additional projects funded to assist with improving resiliency and sustainability of our coastal and watershed habitats,” Klee said.

Already approved federal funds will pay for treating 1.9 million gallons of water, collecting 37,000 pounds of floating trash, opening 6 miles of river and restoring 18 acres of coastal habitat for fish and wildlife.

Another project will use seaweed to remove pollution from Greenwich Harbor, study water quality in the Norwalk and Stamford Harbors and help prevent storm water pollution in New Haven from entering the Sound.

Hearst Connecticut Media file photo Migrating Canada Geese enjoy the inlet as kayakers make their return to Cove Island after spending the afternoon on the waters of Long Island Sound on Sept. 1 near Stamford.