2024
March 5, 2024
Honorable Tom Tiffany, Chairman
Honorable Joe Neguse, Ranking Member
Natural Resources Committee, Federal Lands Subcommittee
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Re: H.R. 1584, Plum Island National Monument Act
Dear Chairman Tiffany and Ranking Member Neguse:
The Preserve Plum Island Coalition (PPIC) is comprised of more than 120 national, regional, and local organizations, whose collective membership totals several million members, united by the goal of permanently preserving Plum Island, New York. Members support the PPIC mission, which is to secure the permanent protection of the significant natural, historical, and cultural resources of Plum Island. Plum Island is a federally owned gem, boasting 24 ecological communities and high biodiversity, including 229 species of birds. It offers opportunities to educate the public about American history, the cultural heritage, and nature. It lies at the confluence of two National Estuaries – Long Island Sound and the Peconic Estuary.
The PPIC advocates for comprehensive conservation and management solutions that safeguard this national treasure in the public trust as a national monument, wildlife refuge, preserve, or other equivalent protection, with carefully managed and equitable public access, in perpetuity.
As members of the Steering Committee of the PPIC, we write to express to you our strong support for the passage of H.R. 1584, the “Plum Island National Monument Act” sponsored by Representative Nicholas LaLota (1st Congressional District-NY), designating Plum Island a national monument for the purpose of ecological conservation, historical preservation, and the discovery and celebration of our shared cultural heritage. Specifically, this important legislation will ensure the permanent protection of the highly significant ecological, historical, and cultural resources found on Plum Island, through its dedication as a national monument under the management of the Department of Interior.
To this end, we are most appreciative of your consideration of H.R. 1584, through the hearing of the Federal Lands Subcommittee designed to receive input on this legislative initiative. We thank Representative LaLota for his introduction of the bill and thank the bill’s co-sponsors: Representatives Courtney, Garbarino, Himes, D’Esposito, and Lawler. We strongly support its adoption, designating Plum Island a national monument for the purpose of ecological conservation, historical preservation, and the discovery and celebration of our shared cultural heritage.
Achieving Plum Island’s permanent protection is a goal supported by elected officials at all levels of government. In addition to federal support, many Long Island members of the New York State Senate and Assembly, the entire 18-member Suffolk County Legislature, and the Supervisor and other members of the Southold Town Board (within whose town Plum Island is situated), have strongly supported the permanent protection of this nationally significant, federally owned asset. Widespread support for preserving Plum Island can be seen in a compilation of letters from elected officials, organizations, and citizens, along with editorials, articles, and media productions, in a volume we posted to www.preserveplumisland.org/campaignsupport last fall.
We hope to work with your Subcommittee and Representative LaLota’s office in achieving this outcome. Please consider the PPIC to be a resource to you and your staff if you have any questions concerning the resources of Plum Island, past and current efforts to protect it, and discussions various PPIC members have had with governmental agencies and stakeholders regarding the same.
Sincerely,
John Turner, Spokesperson
Preserve Plum Island Coalition