New York First Congressional District Representative Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County) released the following statement after voting to pass the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill. The bill included funding for over a dozen of LaLota’s priorities, including significant funding for the Long Island Sound Program, National Estuary Program to support the Peconic Estuary, Land and Water Conservation Fund, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System.

“My constituents and I, from across my district’s eight towns, are thrilled to see crucial federal funding coming to benefit projects and programs across Suffolk County. For months, I advocated to ensure these vital projects, from Stormwater Infrastructure in Smithtown to Wastewater Treatment on Shelter Island, are well funded to support our communities,” said LaLota. “I am also pleased to see funding for regional and national programs, including the Long Island Sound Program and National Estuary Program, which will benefit Suffolk County residents. When I said I would always fight to make sure Long Islanders see the best return on their tax dollars as possible, this is what I meant.”

To read the full text of this legislation, click HERE.

Background:

With the passage of this bill, House Republicans have passed seven of the twelve appropriations bills. The House previously passed bills related to Defense, Energy & Water Development, Homeland Security, Military Construction & Veterans Affairs, State & Foreign Operations, and Legislative Branch.

The Interior & Environment bill included funding for the following projects and programs to benefit Suffolk County:

• $1 million for the Hauppauge Clean Water Septic Systems project;
• $384,800 for the Kings Park Stormwater Infrastructure project;
• $500,000 for the Huntington Microturbine Installation project;
• $1.25 million for the Riverhead Public Water Main project;
• $500,000 for the Huntington Sewer Line Extensions project;
• $1.25 million for the Sag Harbor Sewer Service Area Expansion project;
• $1 million for the Southampton Sewer System Installation project;
• $1 million for the Smithtown Stormwater Infrastructure project;
• $1.25 million for the Shelter Island Wastewater Treatment System project;
• $1.25 million for the Suffolk County Water Authority Water Main Extension project;
• $40 million for the Long Island Sound Geographic Program;
• $41 million for the National Estuary Program, including $875,000 per estuary and $2.8 million in competitive grants, including the Peconic Estuary Partnership;
• $125.43 million in mandatory funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for National Park Service land acquisition to help support public spaces and parks across Suffolk;
• $487.4 million for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System, including the Amagansett National Wildlife Refuge; and
• $72.61 million for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service State and Tribal Wildlife Grants.