Assemblyman Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst) announced today the overwhelming passage in the New York State Assembly of legislation he authored to improve the quality of surface and groundwater on Long Island by establishing a process for coordination and cooperation.
“Having safe, clean water is of paramount importance to the health and economy of Long Island,” Assemblyman Sweeney said. “I thank my colleagues in recognizing the significance of this legislation and voting to protect Long Island’s surface and groundwater.”
Long Island’s groundwater aquifer is the sole source of drinking water for nearly three million residents of Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Recent water quality data indicates that Long Island’s water sources are in a state of gradual decline, which threatens aquatic wildlife populations.
The bill, A.1047, modifies the existing Special Groundwater Protection Areas to include Special Surface Water Protection Areas, in places such as the Peconic Estuary Watershed, the South Shore Estuary Reserve Watershed, and the Long Island Sound Watershed. The bill would also modify the requirements of the comprehensive management plan for these Protection areas to include the development of an ambient groundwater standard for nitrogen.
Additionally, in order to more comprehensively combat the degradation of Long Island’s surface water, the bill replaces the Long Island Regional Planning Board with the Long Island Water Planning Board, which would be the designated planning entity for special water protection areas.
“The implications of increasing levels of pollution in Long Island’s ground and surface water resources are significant, and require a sweeping restoration strategy,” Assemblyman Sweeney added. “Creating a regional water planning board and comprehensive water conservation and management plan is a big step in the right direction of enhancing the quality of Long Island’s water resources.”
Now that the bill has passed in the Assembly, it has been delivered to the Senate.