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Long Island Sound
THE LONG ISLAND SOUND
A Nationally Significant Estuary
In 1985, the Long Island Sound was one
of the first estuaries recognized under the National
Estuary Program. It is not only a critical ecosystem for
marine life throughout the east coast, but provides essential
migratory and breeding bird habitats. The Sound is home to
125 species of birds including the endangered Piping Plover,
and includes 11 Important Bird Areas. With 10% of the United
States population living within 50 miles of the Long Island
Sound, and contributing more than $5 billion annually to the
regional economy, protecting this nationally significant estuary
has been, and still is, a high priority for Audubon New York.
For more than 15 years, Audubon has been
a strong advocate for the Long Island Sound In 1990, it launched
its "Listen to the Sound" program, hearing testimony
from more than 500 citizens on the importance of the Sound's
restoration. In 1991, it released a report entitled "Citizens
Agenda for Long Island," which was used in the creation
of the Comprehensive
Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) in 1994. The plan
was signed by the Governors of New York and Connecticut, and
former EPA Administrator Carol Browner, the current chairperson
of Audubon's Board of Directors.
In 2000, Audubon helped design and subsequently
advocated for the Long Island Sound Restoration Act, a bill
that provided funds for the rehabilitation of sewage treatment
plants, which were contributing to the pollution of the Sound
at an alarming rate. In 2000, Audubon, in partnership with
Regional
Plan Association and Save
the Sound Inc., launched "Listen to the Sound 2000",
which resulted in citizen recommendations to create a stewardship
system to enhance and protect the remaining open spaces around
the sound.
On September 27 2006, with strong bi-partisan
support of the New York and Connecticut Congressional Delegations,
Audubon is pleased to announce that Congress passed the historic
Long Island Sound Stewardship Act, an initiative to identify,
protect, and enhance open space and recreational sites within
the Long Island Sound ecosystem. The bill authorizes $25 million
annually for the acquisition of land and conservation easements
and the enhancement and improvement of exemplary natural areas.
It also establishes public access to the Sound as a major
goal.
Long Island Advocacy and Conservation
Organizations:
Regional
Plan Association
Save
the Sound ......dedicated to the restoration, protection,
and appreciation of Long Island Sound and its watershed through
advocacy, education and research
Environmental
Protection Agency - Long Island Sound region
NYS
Department of Environmental Conservation
Connecticut
Department of Environmental Protection
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