Legislation to Create Bi-State Long Island Sound Committee Passes Connecticut Legislature Unanimously, Heads to Governors Desk

(PRWEB) May 29, 2005 -- Through a unanimous vote in the House today the Connecticut General Assembly passed an important environmental initiative to protect Long Island Sound and the future of all Connecticut residents.

‘An Act Concerning a Bi-State Long Island Sound Committee begins a new Connecticut-New York partnership, ensuring that both states work in concert on Sound-wise initiatives to provide for the enjoyment and protection of the shared natural resource of Long Island Sound.

Legislators on both sides of the Sound have come to realize the importance of working together on issues related to the future of Long Island Sound, a realization demonstrated recently in a joint meeting of Connecticut and New York state legislators held April 26 in Brookhaven, N.Y. Precipitated by shared threats, such as dredge dumping, increased industrialization of the Sound, and, most recently, a proposal by Broadwater Energy to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facility in Long Island Sound, the officials moved quickly to create a vehicle for joint legislative initiatives. New York legislators are working on similar legislation and a June bi-state committee meeting is already planned.

Additionally, coalitions from both sides of the Sound are working together on issues needed to preserve and protect Long Island Sound. Citizens Campaign for the Environment and the newly formed Sound Alliance are among the groups established to promote Sound-wise policies and programs.

We at Save the Sound are pleased to be among the founding members of the Sound Alliance and look forward to working with elected officials from Connecticut and New York on preventing the industrialization of Long Island Sound," said Leah Lopez, director of legislative and legal affairs for Save the Sound.

The rapid growth of population and industry surrounding the shores of Long Island Sound requires all of us to work together now to guarantee the long-term restoration and protection of the Sound. Save the Sound, a program of Connecticut Fund for the Environment, is pleased to see that Connecticuts elected officials realize that Long Island Sound belongs to everyone and that we have an obligation to protect it, not only for today, but for the benefit of our children and future generations," she said.

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