Environmental advocates urge state to enact Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act

To the Editor:

Anyone who lives on, works in, or has visited the North Fork understands the endless recreational, economic and environmental benefits that the Peconic Bay and Long Island Sound have provided for generations. Protecting our harbors, bays, and drinking water has been a shared priority. That’s why it’s been so critical to address nitrogen pollution and the harmful algae blooms, fish and turtle kills, and drinking water contamination that are caused by it in these waterbodies.

We need to continue to address the main source of nitrogen pollution — Suffolk County’s 360,000 nitrogen-polluting septic systems. The great news is that the State Senate and Assembly leaders have included the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act in their one-house budget proposals. The Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act will allow Suffolk County residents to vote this November, to create a Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Fund. The fund would be financed by a nominal increase to the county sales tax — 1/8 of a cent. This direly needed and sustainable funding source will help to finance the installation of clean water septic systems throughout our region, as well as attract state and federal funds to stretch local dollars further.

Governor Hochul, the Senate, and Assembly all agree that this is an important step for Long Island. Now, we need them to finalize the plan in the state budget and let voters make it a reality. We want to thank our Senate and Assembly leaders for including this important legislation in their budget proposals. Now, we ask that they ensure it is included in the FINAL budget so Suffolk County residents have the right to vote to create the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Fund to enable demonstrable strides in cleaning up our drinking water and waterways, on which so much of our lives depend.

Robert S. DeLuca, president
Group for the East End

Kevin McDonald, policy advisor for Long Island
The Nature Conservancy

RiverheadLOCAL welcomes letters to the editor. We don’t publish anonymous letters, so please include your full name, hamlet of residence, email address and a daytime phone number where we can reach you for confirmation or clarification. Submit your letter here.