Blumenthal, Schumer, Murphy, & Gillibrand Introduce Legislation to Manage & Preserve Plum Island

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced two coordinated pieces of legislation to create a long-term solution for management of Plum Island and to protect the island in perpetuity. Both bills are scheduled to be considered by Senate Committees this week and advance the goal of a long-term solution for management, conservation, and preservation of Plum Island.

The Plum Island Preservation Study Act requires the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to conduct a special resource study to evaluate the national significance of Plum Island and the suitability of designating Plum Island as a unit of DOI. This legislation is set to be considered by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday.

The Plum Island Preservation Act would permanently protect Plum Island from development and convene stakeholders, including DOI, to create a management plan for the island. The legislation also requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to submit annual reports to Congress on the progress of this process. This legislation is set to be considered by the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee on Wednesday.

“Urgent action must safeguard Plum Island—a priceless national treasure that desperately needs and deserves permanent protection. These two bills combine to preserve this threatened pristine resource—an ecological gem home to flora and fauna as well as historically significant landmarks. Expected Senate steps forward this week on the Plum Island Preservation Act and the Plum Island Preservation Study Act are monumental strides to conserve and protect Plum Island for generations to come. Failure to act now endangers this irreplaceable natural gem,” said Blumenthal.

“For years, I have been fighting tooth and nail to protect and preserve the national treasure that is Plum Island,” said Schumer. “Long Islanders should have input over this natural environment, not some outside ‘high bidder.’ This legislation would take a huge step forward in ensuring this natural wonder is permanently preserved for generations to come, a true win for Long Island, the environment, its rich history, and the communities and advocates who have fought so hard to preserve Plum Island.”

“I am committed to protecting Plum Island, and creating a management plan is a necessary step to securing its future. These pieces of legislation are important steps that will help establish a timeline and set clear objectives to preserve Plum’s environmental, ecological, and cultural heritage,” said Murphy.

“Plum Island holds significant importance in our nation’s animal research and biodefense, and as this critical mission reaches its conclusion, we must protect Plum Island’s unique ecological habitat, shared cultural heritage, and history of military operations. I have worked for years alongside my colleagues and local stakeholders to achieve this vision, and I am proud to cosponsor the Plum Island Preservation Act to ensure the long-term preservation of Plum Island and its responsible management,” said Gillibrand.

Situated in Long Island Sound between Connecticut and New York, Plum Island is a federally-owned 840-acre island home to several endangered and vulnerable species. The island also houses the Fort Terry and Plum Island Lighthouses, two locations on the National Register of Historic Places. The Connecticut and New York delegations have been working extensively with DOI, GSA, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to solidify the future of Plum Island, and these pieces of legislation mark landmark progress in the fight to establish a long-term management plan and to permanently preserve the island.

The full text of the Plum Island Preservation Act can be found here, and the full text of the Plum Island Preservation Study Act can be found here.

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