Protecting & Restoring Long Island's Peconic Bays
Its time to upgrade our nations underfunded infrastructure!
IIJA is the largest investment in infrastructure based climate resiliency in the history of our nation. IIJA provides multiple funding opportunities to tackle the various climate-related issues that directly affect our communities, especially those who have been historically underserved. Addressing our nation’s infrastructure will directly improve the environment, economy, and citizen’s health
To address the complex multifaceted issues that our environment faces, IIJA funds will be used to identify, assess, prevent, restore, and adapt to changes in our ecosystems. Focusing on the utilization of green infrastructure and nature based solutions, IIJA funded projects seek to support environmental stewardship, build coastal resilience, create jobs, store carbon, restore habitat and promote economic development.
Improvements to outdated infrastructure can prevent polluted runoff and excess nutrients from entering our watershed. This directly enhances water quality and ecological habitats, supports local human health and benefits the economy.
Additionally, the projects funded under IIJA try to empower underserved communities and enhance their quality of life by providing safe access to waterways for cultural and recreational activities. The development and implementation of strategies to increase water access and enjoyment will be complimented by the development of capacity building activities to strengthen the community’s ability to adapt to their changing environment.
the Investment in Infrastructure and Jobs Act is providing $132 million for the National Estuary Program’s 28 longstanding National Estuary Programs (NEPs) for fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
The National Estuary Program (NEP) is an EPA program that has identified 28 estuaries of significance along our nation’s coasts, including us at the Peconic Estuary Partnership (PEP). Each of the 28 NEPs create and implement a Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CCMP) based on each estuary’s unique needs. The NEP projects funded by IIJA seek to accelerate the implementation of their CCMPs and prioritize projects that restore water quality and ecological integrity with a special focus on areas with historically underserved communities. Environmental justice is an important initiative incorporated into NEPs IIJA funded projects. Prioritizing projects in disadvantaged communities boosts their local economy.
