Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 8998, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

“I was proud to vote in favor of House Republicans’ Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill, which includes critical funding for projects that will have a lasting positive impact on our community and environment,” said LaLota. “This bill is a testament to our commitment to improving infrastructure, protecting natural resources, and supporting essential programs. Key priorities funded include significant investments in local drainage and water treatment projects, vital PFAS contamination cleanup efforts, enhancements to our sewer and wastewater management infrastructure, and substantial support for the preservation and restoration of the Long Island Sound and our national estuaries here on Long Island. I urge Senate Majority Leader Schumer to take up the measure immediately.”

To read the full text of the bill, click HERE.

Background:

The Interior and Environment funding bill included several community projects and priorities put forward by LaLota, including:

• $2.25 million for the Town of Brookhaven’s Miller Place/Sound Beach Drainage Project;
• $1.09 million for the Town of Smithtown’s PFAS Contamination, Water Main, and Boundary Extension Project;
• $1.25 million for the Town of Riverhead’s Calverton and Riverhead PFAS/PFOA Cleanup Project;
• $1 million for Suffolk County for the Kings Park Outfall Pipe Replacement Project;
• $1 million for Suffolk County for the St. James Sewer Treatment Plant Project;
• $40 million for the Long Island Sound Program;
• $40 million for the National Estuary Program, including $850,000 for the Peconic Estuary and $850,000 for the Long Island Sound Study;
• $4 million for the National Park Service 9/11 Memorial Act grants;
• $3 million for PFAS research;
• $504.2 million for the National Wildlife Refuge System, including funding for the Amagansett National Wildlife Refuge;
• $65 million for the National Holocaust Museum; and
• $959 million for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, including funding for 43 parks and public lands in New York’s First Congressional District.