Sounds Like A Plan: Preserving The Long Island Sound

It’s likely we’ve all noticed the changes that have taken place (and continue to take place) across Long Island over the past two decades, but now it seems a new measure is set to help preserve the sanctity of our suburban surroundings.

A new act, known as the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act (LISSA) was recently signed by President Bush, calling for an allocation of $100 million every four years in order to protect the land along the Long Island sound.

The (original) bipartisan bill was set forth back in 2004 by two representatives, one from Long Island and another from Connecticut. And, now the President has officially signed the bill into law, and, officially will be encouraging the EPA to put it into effect immediately. And, that would include identifying the areas that will be eligible for purchase or improvements.

According to officials, the Sound is a national gem and protecting it should be considered essential to all those who benefit from it, regardless of the state they reside in. And, they say, that’s exactly what this legislation does, by putting all parties on the same page and creating a joint opportunity and effort to protect such a precious treasure.



As per the legislation, LISSA is set to create a committee headed by the director of the Long Island Sound office of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and will include both New York and Connecticut officially. These will include members from the Federal, State, and local government as well as officials from non-governments organizations, academic and private sectors and developing interests. Furthermore, LISSA will offer a voluntary opportunity to protect environmentally and ecologically delicate areas on the shores of the sound, without disturbing the private property rights of local landowners.

Decisions will be based on the recommendations to the Administrator of the EPA by the advisory board for land preservation. The Administrator will in turn award grants to help maintain and improve upon open space, public access, and ecologically esteemed areas via the buying of property, property rights, or by entering into a binding legal agreement.

Authorities note that the Sound has endured a vast variety of wildlife and marine organisms throughout the years as well as serving as a recreational attraction for thousands of residents and visitors alike. Today, more than 8 million people live with the Sound’s watershed and another 20 million live within a 50-mile radius from its shores. And, the Sound is responsible for generating over $5 billion to the regional economy via sport and commercial fishing, recreation, and tourism.