HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/19/2013 letter to EPAOFFICE OF THE SUFFOLK COUNTY LEGISLATURE
AL KRUPSKI
LEGISLATOR 1ST DISTRICT
February 19, 2013
Ms. Jean Brochi
U.S. EPA, Region 1
5 Post Office Square
Suite 100, OEP06-1
Boston, MA 02109-3912
Dear Ms. Brochi:
This letter emphatically states the opposition of the entire bipartisan Suffolk County
Legislature to the dumping of untreated dredge spoil in Long Island Sound proposed by the State
of Connecticut. It would be an environmental disaster for the Sound with the only justification on
the part of the State of Connecticut being it would save them the money needed to properly and
safely dispose of these extremely toxic dredge spoils.
The Long Island Sound was designated by the United States Congress as a an Estuary of
National Significance and is a key component of the recreational boating and fishing and
commercial fishing industries that provide hundreds of millions of dollars each year to the
economy of Suffolk County, and provide tens of thousands of jobs—at a minimum --for our
residents. Allowing the State of Connecticut to imperil that enormous economic engine by
allowing the dumping of untreated toxic dredge spoil in the Long Island Sound is completely
unjustifiable.
In 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Army Corps of
Engineers, New York State and Connecticut agreed to phase out open water disposal of dredged
materials in the Long Island Sound and to investigate alternative beneficial uses for dredge spoil
through a Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP). As yet, the DMMP has not been
created. No designation of disposal sites in the Long Island Sound should occur, especially
before the completion of the DMMP.
The members of the Suffolk County Legislature find it astonishing that the EPA would
even consider such a proposal. We urge you and all state agencies to battle this proposal in any
way possible.
1
Please let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you in your fight against this
disastrous proposal.
J
William J. Lin say, Pre ing Officer
LD #8
Legislator Al rupski
LD #1
Legislator Kate M. Browning
I,D #3
Legislator Kara Hahn
LD #5
Legislator Ro ert Calarco
LD #7
�jegislator Thomas Cilmi
LD #10
Very
Mayne 6�-�Aey, Deputy
Officer / �^
LD #14
Legislat y H. Schneiderman
LD #2
Legislator Thomas Muratore
LD #4
Legislator Sarah S. Anker
LD #6
6Lgegislator Ricardo Montano
LD #9 '
Legislator Thomas F. Barraga �-
LD #11
w
John M. KeNi%, Jr.
LD #1
C
Legislator DuWayne Gregory
LD #15
gislator Lou D'Amaro
LD #17
Cc: Cesar A. Perales,
New York State Secretary of State
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12231
egislator Sfeve ff. Stem
LD #16
Legislator William Spencer
LD #18