Federal legislation introduced by Long Island Rep. Nicholas LaLota last week would permanently protect Plum Island by having it declared a national monument.
The bill, called the Plum Island National Monument Act, would establish Plum Island as a “national monument for the purpose of ecological conservation, historical preservation, and the discovery and celebration of our shared cultural heritage.” It would require a management plan within three years of funding being granted, which must be submitted to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, according to a statement from Preserve Plum Island Coalition.
“The Preserve Plum Island Coalition greatly appreciates Congressman LaLota’s commitment to protecting Plum Island, as evidenced by his introduction of legislation to designate it as a national monument,” John Turner, spokesman for the group said in the statement. “With this newly introduced bill, the permanent protection of Plum Island now is being considered by the full suite of federal decision makers, senators, members of the House of Representatives, the White House, and the relevant agencies. We strongly support this goal and look forward to working with Congressman LaLota’s office, his House colleagues, and our region’s senators to achieve permanent protection for Plum Island, which it richly deserves.”
A provision in the recently approved federal 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill expressed support for safeguarding Plum Island in perpetuity. The provision requires the Department of the Interior, the Department of Homeland Security, and the General Services Administration to provide a briefing to congressional committees regarding the closure and disposal process for the island’s permanent conservation, interim ecological management, and options for permanent ownership by various entities.
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David Winzelberg
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