Albany – Senator Ken LaValle and Assemblyman Fred Thiele announced they secured $200,000 in the Final Enacted 2016-17 New York State Budget to help protect and restore the Peconic Estuary.

Assemblyman Thiele and Senator Ken LaValle have been intimately involved in the Peconic Estuary Program since its creation. In 1985, the waters of the Estuary turned the color of coffee; Brown Tide, a harmful algal bloom, swept in and devastated the nationally acclaimed local scallop industry. It was because of this crisis and the outcry of concern from citizens, elected officials, environmentalists, businesses, and industries that the Peconic Estuary was inducted into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Estuary Program. Since 1993 this “Estuary of National Significance” has been working to restore the natural environment and protect the historic fishing, shellfishing, and tourism industry which continues to contribute millions of dollars annually to New York’s recovering economy.

After over twenty years of Peconic Estuary Program (PEP) successes, there is still much work that must be done to help restore our coastal habitats and solve the water quality crisis the East End of Long Island is faced with.

Assemblyman Thiele stated, “Not only must we protect the scenic beauty and the ecological integrity of the Peconic Estuary, we must protect the resource which drives the East End economy, pumping millions of dollars into our region. Directing these funds to the Peconic Estuary Program is a wise investment in our environment and our economy.”

Senator Ken LaValle noted, “Throughout my career, I have made preserving our land, air and water major priorities for Long Island. These State funds will support the Peconic Estuary Program in its’ core mission to protect and restore our water resources that are crucial for future generations.”

Alison Branco, Director of the Peconic Estuary Program stated, “The Peconic Estuary Program is grateful to Assemblyman Thiele and Senator LaValle for their long-time support of the Program. Continued funding from New York State will ensure that we can continue to work with our partners to protect water quality in the Peconic Estuary and that the solutions to our regional nitrogen pollution crisis are tailored to the needs of east end communities.”