Blumenthal Calls on President Biden to Support Permanent Conservation & Preservation of Plum Island
“The island’s pristine and undeveloped landscape and historic significance are too important to sacrifice,” wrote Blumenthal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) called for action by President Joe Biden to permanently protect Plum Island. Calling the island an, “environmental, cultural, and scientific treasure,” Blumenthal highlighted the need for strong conservation and preservation efforts to, “ensure its lasting legacy for generations to come.” Last week, Blumenthal stood with environmental advocates to discuss the need to protect the island from development.
“Plum Island is a national treasure that deeply deserves permanent protection,” wrote Blumenthal in the letter to President Biden. “Therefore, I urge the White House to prioritize Plum Island and work with the Interior Department on an expedited process for permanent conservation of this great resource.”
Situated in Long Island Sound, Plum Island is home to several endangered and vulnerable species, as well as two locations on the National Register of Historic Places. In April, Blumenthal also joined U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in a letter calling on the U.S. Department of the Interior to support any action that permanently protects the island.
“The most readily available means to assure preservation would be to designate Plum Island as a national monument. Such action would be highly appropriate for this valuable, threatened national treasure, so it could be managed with environmental interests as a priority,” Blumenthal continued. “There may well be other options which should be considered – the main point is urgent action is needed to assure preservation.”
The full text of the letter can be found here.
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