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Plan To Dramatically Reduce Nitrogen Pollution in Long Island Sound

Release Date: 02/03/1998
Contact Information:

What: The Long Island Sound Study Policy Committee, which includes high-level officials of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will adopt a plan to reduce nitrogen discharges to Long Island Sound by almost 60 percent over 15 years and a plan to restore at least 2000 acres and 100 river miles of habitat along the shores of Long Island Sound within ten years.

When: Thursday, February 5, Policy Committee meeting 11:00 - 1:00pm; press briefing 1:00- 1:30 p.m.

Where: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Region 2 Office, Room 27A, 290 Broadway, New York, New York

The plans adopted by the Policy Committee today are part of a comprehensive regional planning effort, sponsored by EPA, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection to restore and protect Long Island Sound. The plans were released for public comment in 1997.

The nitrogen reduction plan contains an aggressive 15-year program of sewage treatment plant upgrades, industrial and nonpoint source pollution controls. Excess nitrogen is responsible for the condition of low dissolved oxygen, or "hypoxia," that each summer renders hundreds of square miles of the Sound's bottom habitat unsuitable for fish and other marine life.

The habitat restoration initiative sets priorities for restoring more than 450 sites on which information has been compiled in a Habitat Restoration Geographic Information System. Loss of habitat in Long Island Sound and its watershed has negatively impacted the Sound's living resources.

CONTACTS:

· Mary Mears US EPA (212) 637-3669
· Mark Tedesco EPA LIS Office (203) 977-1541


For more information contact:
Mary Mears, Press Office
EPA Region 2
290 Broadway
NY, NY 10007-1866
Voice: 212-637-3669 FAX: 212-637-5046 E-Mail: mears.mary@epamail.epa.gov