Long Island Sound Futures Fund 2021 Grant Award Announcement
Connecticut
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal
“Long Island Sound is a national treasure,” says Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). “These federal grants totaling $5 million will help enhance the decades-long work to conserve habitats and improve water quality throughout the Long Island Sound watershed. I will continue to fight to preserve the Sound’s health and vitality for future generations to enjoy.”
U.S. Senator Chris Murphy
“Connecticut’s economy depends on a healthy, clean and vibrant Long Island Sound,” said Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT). “These federal grants will help our efforts to preserve and protect Long Island Sound, as well as improve water quality. Combined with the millions in funding to protect the Sound in the bipartisan infrastructure bill recently signed into law, we have a chance to dramatically speed up our efforts to safeguard the Long Island Sound for generations to come.”
U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro
“The Long Island Sound is a treasured natural resource that must be restored and protected,” said Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). “That is why I am pleased that the University of New Haven and the National Audubon Society in Connecticut will have access to these critical funds through the Long Island Sound Futures Fund to preserve the environmentally and economically vital resources of the Sound. Having grown up on its shores, the Sound has always held a special place with me. As Co-Chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus and as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, and I am proud to fight alongside my Congressional colleagues and advocates to ensure that its beaches and waters remain places for children and families to enjoy for generations to come.”
U.S. Representative Joe Courtney
“All sorts of people, local communities and businesses rely on the Long Island Sound, and we need to keep its water healthy and high-quality for generations to come,” said Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT). “Today’s announcement of $5 million in federal Fish and Wildlife Foundation funding will provide direct support to our local partners here in eastern Connecticut and throughout the region who are focused on that important conservation work, like improving water quality, restoring our natural coastal habitats, and teaching others in our community about how we can all best protect the future of the Sound. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Long Island Sound Caucus, I also worked across the aisle with my colleagues to secure a separate tranche of $106 million in this year’s bipartisan infrastructure investment bill specifically carved out to keep our Long Island Sound healthy through watershed restoration—a major step in the right direction for the future of the Sound. These are important pieces of support for our partners like DEEP and others in eastern Connecticut whose work is so important to our economy and the future of our environment.”
New York
U.S. Representative Thomas R. Suozzi
“I grew up swimming and fishing in the Long Island Sound. Now our children are doing the same. The Long Island Sound is our ‘national park’ and I will continue to push for federal dollars to see that it is protected and improved,” said Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY). “We have made incredible strides over the last 20 years. We cannot let our guard down and we must continue to reduce nitrogen runoff and improve stormwater management and sewage infrastructure. Working together with local, town, county, and state officials as well as local environmental groups, we can preserve, protect, and improve the Sound for generations to come.”
U.S. Representative Lee Zeldin
“As Co-Chairman of the Long Island Sound Caucus, I understand that the Long Island Sound is a regional and national treasure, as well as a critical economic, recreational and environmental resource,” Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-NY). “This more than $5 million in funding through the Long Island Sound Futures Fund will allow us to keep preserving and improving the Sound’s water quality, natural habitats and overall health for generations to come.”