The Preserve Plum Island Coalition commended State Assemblyman Steve Englebright, Chair of the Assembly’s Committee on Environmental Conservation, for hosting a hearing highlighting the critical need to preserve Plum Island as open space in light of a potential sale of the island by the Federal Government.
“Preservation is the highest, best use of Plum Island and its significant natural and cultural assets,” said Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Setauket). “Plum Island is a key part of the Orient Point to Plum Island Important Bird Area (IBA) as it provides critical habitat to a number of at-risk bird species. And the island is known as the largest winter haul-out site for Harbor and Grey seals in the Southern New England waters.”
The approximately 85-90 percent of Plum Island that remains undeveloped includes not only critically important wildlife habitat but also holds nationally-significant historic buildings and artifacts — including the 1869 Plum Gut Lighthouse and the 1897 Fort Terry, which served as an artillery post during the Spanish American War and was returned to service during World Wars I and II. We are holding this hearing today to better understand what the State’s options are to help preserve this gem in the Long Island Sound.
Written comments in support of preservation of this critical environmental resource can be submitted to the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee using the online form and instructions at http://assembly.state.ny.us/comm/EnCon/20150903.
For more information on the Preserve Plum Island Coalition, please visit www.preserveplumisland.org.
