This letter was submitted by Rep. Nick LaLota’s office in response to an open letter to the congressman from Manorville resident and Restoration Advisory Board member Kelly McClinchy (published April 18.)
Dear Ms. McClinchy,
Thank you for your letter regarding the concerns of the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) for the Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant (NWIRP) in Calverton. I appreciate your dedication to the community and your efforts to address these important issues. I want to assure you that I take the concerns the RAB has brought forward and all water quality issues very seriously. I also want to ensure you know the concerns and comments of every Long Islander are important to me.
I’m a lifelong Long Islander and I have seen firsthand the water quality issues our communities have faced, whether it is in Calverton, areas along the Long Island Sound, or anywhere else in Suffolk County. Understanding that water quality has been a significant issue, and as you mention in your letter, I was very proud to secure millions in federal funding to improve water quality, sewer systems, and infrastructure in the Town of Riverhead and across Suffolk County. As more funding opportunities arise, I will continue to fight for projects like this one that improve water quality and provide safe drinking water to all residents of Suffolk County.
You are right to say the history of the Grumman Corporation in Suffolk County had great results in terms of jobs, improving our quality of life, and making our mark on our nation’s defense industry. You are also right to highlight the negative long-term environmental impacts in our community that have caused harm to families in Calverton and the surrounding area for too long. I firmly believe any wrongdoing, be it intentional, reckless, or negligent, must be addressed transparently and straightforwardly.
Rest assured, a member of my team or I will be in attendance at the next RAB meeting on May 7 where we will continue to engage directly with the town, constituents, neighbors, and stakeholders to advance their concerns and work toward solutions which benefit our community as a whole.
Thank you once again for bringing these matters to my attention, and I look forward to continuing our dialogue on this important issue.
Sincerely,
Congressman Nick LaLota
Nick LaLota represents New York’s First Congressional District
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