marine life

Advocacy around horseshoe crab protections bill heats up

Advocacy around horseshoe crab protections bill heats up

The bill has passed in Albany, but awaits governor’s signature

The future of a bill to enhance protections for horseshoe crabs in New York waters is unclear, but advocacy around the issue is heating up.

If signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), the bill would prevent the taking of horseshoe crabs for commercial or biomedical purposes in New York. The bill was passed by the state Assembly and Senate June 7, and though it has not yet been called up by the governor for consideration and potential signature or veto, advocates for and against the bill have been working hard to make their voices heard.

Along Nassau County's South Shore, new water access points along Blueway Trail make for smooth sailing

Along Nassau County's South Shore, new water access points along Blueway Trail make for smooth sailing

FAST FACTS ABOUT SOUTH SHORE BLUEWAY TRAIL PLAN

The water-based South Shore Blueway Trail is designed for kayakers, canoeists and other non-motorized boaters along the South Shore of Long Island. It spans the coastal waterways of Nassau County, connecting scenic spots, nature preserves, parks and other access points between the western part of the county near the Western Bays, extending toward Suffolk County.

Sewage treatment upgrades spark Western Bay revival

Sewage treatment upgrades spark Western Bay revival

The Western Bays — the waters stretching 10 miles from the East Rockaway Inlet to the Jones Inlet — are in the midst of a much-needed resurgence.

The bays represent a vital sub-region of the South Shore Estuary Reserve, which is a crucial habitat for hundreds of wildlife species along the Atlantic Ocean.

Newbridge Road Park Waterway Access Project

Newbridge Road Park Waterway Access Project

New Public Access Point Creates a Year-Round, ADA-Accessible Recreation Destination as Part of the Long Island South Shore Blueway Trail

Follows Completion of Connecting Access Point at Seamans Neck Park in Hempstead

Project Supports Governor’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” Summer Campaign to Encourage Kids and Families to Enjoy Outdoor Recreation

The New York Department of State today announced the completion of the Newbridge Road Park water access point project in the Town of Hempstead as part of the South Shore Blueway Trail Plan. The completion of this new public access point adds a year-round, ADA-accessible recreation destination that connects to the access point at Seamans Neck Park in Hempstead, creating a network of water access points for individuals to experience Long Island’s South Shore.

The delicate, slow task of restoring 3 Long Island wetlands

The delicate, slow task of restoring 3 Long Island wetlands

The securing of a federal grant last month to restore three coastal wetlands in Suffolk County is the start of a lengthy process to make sure the work doesn't do as much harm as good.

The selection of the sites — Cupsogue Beach Marsh, Scully Marsh and the East Islip Preserve — and securing of funding represent years of advance work, including collecting data on tidal flooding, risk assessments and a cost-benefit analysis. The cost of restoring Cupsogue, for example, is estimated at $2 million, with losses averted totaling $50.6 million.

Strict protections proposed for horseshoe crabs

Strict protections proposed for horseshoe crabs

August 7, 2024 – Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito discusses legislation imposing broad restrictions on the harvesting of horseshoe crabs, which are a threatened species, but useful for biomedical development.

Suffolk Closeup: Destroying 400 million years of L.I. life

Suffolk Closeup: Destroying 400 million years of L.I. life

“We are destroying this incredible living fossil, chopping it up for bait,” New York State Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick (D-NYC) told me in an interview last week.

Ms. Glick is the author of a bill in the State Assembly, which with a companion measure in the State Senate, have passed that would protect horseshoe crabs. They would prohibit horseshoe crabs from being taken from the waters of New York State except for educational and research purposes.

Horseshoe crab protection bill awaits governor’s signature: environmentalists urge support

Horseshoe crab protection bill awaits governor’s signature: environmentalists urge support

“We are destroying this incredible living fossil, chopping it up for bait,” New York State Assembly Member Deborah J. Glick told me in an interview last week. 

She is the author of a bill in the State Assembly which with a companion measure in the State Senate has passed that would protect horseshoe crabs. They would prohibit horseshoe crabs from being taken from the waters of New York State except for educational and research purposes.

State lawmakers pass legislation protecting ancient marine marvel: 'This measure will protect this living fossil from experiencing a total population collapse'

State lawmakers pass legislation protecting ancient marine marvel: 'This measure will protect this living fossil from experiencing a total population collapse'

The state of New York passed a revolutionary bill protecting horseshoe crabs, per an article in Harlem World.

Assembly Member Deborah J. Glick created legislation A.10140 to stop the harvesting of horseshoe crabs across New York in an effort to protect these ancient creatures.

Glick Bill Banning Taking Horseshoe Crabs Passes Assembly

Glick Bill Banning Taking Horseshoe Crabs Passes Assembly

Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick, 66th Assembly District Manhattan, announced today the passage of her legislation A.10140 to prohibit the harvesting of horseshoe crabs from the waters of New York.

Under this bill, no horseshoe crab may be taken in the state, including for commercial or biomedical purposes – unless the taking is for a bona fide educational or research purpose as approved by the Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner.

SKIP THE STUFF" MOVEMENT GAINS MOMENTUM

SKIP THE STUFF" MOVEMENT GAINS MOMENTUM

With the April 19 passage of an East Hampton Village “Skip the Stuff” law phasing in a requirement for village restaurants to refrain from automatically giving out disposable cutlery and condiments, the Suffolk County Legislature and East Hampton Town are now also considering a similar proposal.

If Patchogue’s bay and river waters appear to be red or pink, here’s why

If Patchogue’s bay and river waters appear to be red or pink, here’s why

They’re doing it for the shellfish.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation and U.S. Food and Drug Administration have just announced a joint effort to track the ebb and flow of Patchogue wastewater.

To that end, the agencies will conduct a hydrographic dye study of wastewater from the Village of Patchogue Wastewater Treatment Plant on Hammond St. from March 24 to March 30.

Red dye to be added to Patchogue plant wastewater to see where shellfishing is safe

Red dye to be added to Patchogue plant wastewater to see where shellfishing is safe

State officials and the Food and Drug Administration are using a water-tracing dye to track Patchogue's wastewater in order to protect consumers of shellfish harvested in waters off Long Island's South Shore.

On March 25, wastewater from the Patchogue wastewater treatment plant will be treated over a period of 12.5 hours with low concentrations of dye, as part of a study to understand the treated effluent discharging into the Patchogue River and Patchogue Bay.

Fresh Air: NY Revises Contracts to Bolster Offshore Sunrise Wind Farm Developers

Fresh Air: NY Revises Contracts to Bolster Offshore Sunrise Wind Farm Developers

New York State has conditionally awarded new contracts to the developers of offshore wind farms with the goal of countering headwinds that the industry has faced since South Fork Wind went online.

Palumbo hosts roundtable meeting in Riverhead to discuss environmental issues

Palumbo hosts roundtable meeting in Riverhead to discuss environmental issues

Representatives of environmental groups, community groups and local government officials across eastern Suffolk County turned out for a two-hour, wide-ranging conversation with state legislators Thursday morning in Riverhead. 

New Grants Advance TNC's Mission in Connecticut

New Grants Advance TNC's Mission in Connecticut

From Long Island Sound to large cities, areas across the state will see positive change through multiple grants recently secured by The Nature Conservancy. Awards will advance ongoing collaborative work with existing partners but will also engage stakeholders in new conservation projects.

Governor Hochul Signs First-in-the-Nation Bill to Limit Neonic Pesticides

Governor Hochul Signs First-in-the-Nation Bill to Limit Neonic Pesticides

Advocates, Health Professionals, and Farmers Celebrate

ALBANY, NY — A coalition of farmers, health professionals, and environmental groups are celebrating today after Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Birds and Bees Protection Act (S1856-A/A7640). The bill will limit the use of neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics), and, when fully implemented, would eliminate up to 80-90% of the neonics entering New York’s environment annually by prohibiting only unneeded neonic coatings on corn, soybean, and wheat seeds and non-agricultural lawn and garden uses.

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