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) today introduced two coordinated pieces of legislation to create a long-term solution for management of Plum Island and to protect the island in perpetuity.
The Plum Island Preservation Study Actrequires the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to conduct a study to evaluate the national significance of Plum Island and the suitability of designating Plum Island as a unit of DOI. This legislation passed the Senate last Congress with unanimous bipartisan support.
The Plum Island Preservation Actwould permanently protect Plum Island from development and convene stakeholders, including DOI, to conduct visioning sessions on the future of the island. The legislation also requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to submit annual reports to Congress on the progress of this process.
“We need urgent action to safeguard Plum Island—an ecological gem home to hundreds of species of wildlife and numerous important historical sites that enrich the Long Island Sound,”
“For years, I have been fighting tooth and nail to protect and preserve the natural treasure that is Plum Island,” said Schumer. “Long Islanders should have input on the future of this natural environment, which is important not only to the community but also the species that call it home. These pieces of legislation would be a huge step forward in ensuring Plum Island is permanently protected—a true win for Long Island, the environment, its rich history, and the community. I was proud to pass the Plum Island Preservation Study Act out of the Senate last year and look forward to building on this momentum to get both of these bills signed into law this Congress to protect Plum Island for generations to come.”
“We’ve been fighting for years to protect Plum Island. These pieces of legislation will help create a clear management plan and timeline to preserve Plum’s special environmental, ecological, and cultural heritage for generations to come,” said Murphy.
“Plum Island is a national treasure whose unique ecological habitat, cultural significance, and rich history must be permanently preserved,” said Gillibrand. “I have worked for years alongside my colleagues and local stakeholders to achieve this vision, and I am proud to cosponsor these two bills to ensure the long-term protection and responsible management of the island. These pieces of legislation would be a win for Long Island and a necessary step toward environmental conservation.”
“The Preserve Plum Island Coalition (PPIC) greatly appreciates the longstanding commitment of Senators Charles Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, Richard Blumenthal, and Chris Murphy for preserving the nationally significant natural, cultural, and historic resources of Plum Island, as reflected by their early introduction of legislation to protect the island,” said John Turner, PPIC Spokesperson. “In 2024 we came closer than ever of putting Plum Island on a path toward permanent preservation and with the Senate introducing legislation early in the 2025 session, hopefully we can push it over the finish line this year. PPIC looks forward to working with our Senators and Representatives to achieve a most worthwhile outcome.”
“What could be more encouraging than steadfast support for Plum Island? We at Save the Sound are deeply grateful for the incredible leadership of our four New York and Connecticut senators in reintroducing Plum Island legislation so promptly in this Congress,” said Louise Harrison, Save the Sound Long Island Project Manager and Senior Science Advisor.
“The Nature Conservancy thanks Senator Blumenthal for reintroducing legislation to advance the permanent protection of Plum Island. Just 100 miles from New York City, Plum Island is a national treasure that provides a myriad of benefits for people and wildlife. We are grateful to Senate Minority Leader Schumer, Senators Blumenthal, Gillibrand, and Murphy for their unwavering dedication and leadership in protecting this extraordinary place,” said Bill Ulfelder, The Nature Conservancy’s New York Executive Director.
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 are the next step in the fight to establish a long-term management solution and 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.
-30-