LaLota Plum Island Protection Bill Advances in Congress
By Rupert Deedes
A bill introduced by US Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY1) to save Plum Island as a national monument has picked-up bi-partisan support and is advancing through Congress.
LaLota and Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) are the Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Long Island Sound Caucus, thanked supporters after the House Natural Resources Committee passed their bipartisan Plum Island National Monument Act.
“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.”
“Plum Island is a unique and important piece of America,” added Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Chair of the Natural Resources Committee. “I’d like to applaud Congressman LaLota for his bipartisan work on this important legislation to authorize a much-needed study on the future of Plum Island.”
Background
LaLota introduced the Plum Island National Monument Act in March, 2023, as his first piece of legislation. This bill aimed to establish Plum Island as a national monument for ecological conservation, historical preservation, and the discovery and celebration of our shared cultural heritage.
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.
Plum Island is located in Suffolk County's east end, about three miles from Orient Point.
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.
The Department of Homeland Security originally was required by law to sell Plum Island to the highest bidder, but former Congressman and incoming EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin successfully passed legislation to repeal that requirement. Rep. LaLota’s legislation would ensure that Plum Island’s natural habitat is protected and preserved for generations to come.