In Riverhead, Sen. Gillibrand Highlights Funding Threats to Peconic Estuary
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was in Riverhead Monday to share her concerns with local environmental groups and the public about the president’s proposed $8 million in funding cuts to the National Estuary Program in his 2026 budget.
The Peconic Estuary, between the North and South forks, and the Long Island Sound are two of 28 National Estuaries throughout the country.
Federal funding from the National Estuary Program is used to monitor issues including excess nitrogen and pathogens in waterways and harmful algal blooms, and to restore estuaries and boost coastal resilience, tourism and recreation.
Pictured Above: U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand with local environmental and government leaders in Riverhead on Monday. |. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillbrand official photo
“The National Estuary Program’s work is not only necessary for the health of the environment, but more importantly, it is necessary for the health of the American people. Cutting the NEP’s funding will lead to disastrous consequences,” said U.S. Senator Gillibrand in a statement accompanying a press conference at East End Arts in downtown Riverhead. “Protecting our estuaries is of the utmost importance, and the president’s proposed funding cut would jeopardize these critical efforts. This is unacceptable.”
She added that there is bipartisan support to restore the funding, including from the East End’s Congressman, Nick LaLota.
“I lead the bipartisan Estuaries Act in the House because I represent two of our nation’s 28 nationally recognized estuaries — and I know they’re vital to our economy, our fisheries, and the coastal way of life we cherish,” said Mr. LaLota in the statement, adding that he wants to work in a bipartisan manner “to ensure clean water and healthy habitats remain national priorities for generations to come.”
“The Peconic Estuary Partnership is at the forefront of a collaborative approach to improving water, restoring habitats, and ensuring the resiliency of our communities in the wake of climate change,” said New York State Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni. “The continued influx of federal funds is absolutely necessary.”
“On eastern Long Island, our environment is our economy, and the National Estuary Program stands as a bi-partisan, stakeholder driven success story,” said Bob DeLuca, President of the Group for the East End. “Without question, the program’s generational investment in science-based clean water and coastal habitat solutions holds the key to solving our most challenging ecological problems. But only through a fully funded National Estuary Program can we and so many other coastal communities hope to continue the critical progress made and meet the many challenges that lie ahead.”
“Preserving the National Estuary Program—renowned as one of the most cost-effective environmental initiatives in the nation—is essential for safeguarding the health of our estuaries, which are the seeding grounds to ensuring a harmonious equilibrium among our ecology, environment, and economy,” said Kay Tyler, Executive Director of Concerned Citizens of Montauk.
“The National Estuary Program is one of the smartest investments Congress can make in clean water, resilient infrastructure, and local economies,” said Peconic Estuary Partnership Executive Directer Joyce Novak. “Fully funding the NEP ensures that coastal communities can continue to lead with science, partner across sectors, and deliver real results.”
