Contaminated water can lead to a plethora of health risks; cutting funding to maintain estuary water quality will endanger Americans’ well-being
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sounded the alarm on the proposed $8 million funding cut from the National Estuary Program (NEP) in the president’s FY26 budget. The NEP works to maintain and restore water quality of 28 estuaries across the United States, including the Peconic Estuary and Long Island Sound. Without sufficient funding, the NEP will not be able to monitor New York’s estuaries and keep them safe from threats such as excess nitrogen pollution, pathogens, and harmful algal blooms, which have been shown to be harmful to public health and the environment. Funding to restore and protect our estuaries also boosts coastal resilience from storms, improves tourism and recreation, and supports local jobs.
“The NEP’s work is not only necessary for the health of the environment, but more importantly, it is necessary for the health of the American people. Cutting the NEP’s funding will lead to disastrous consequences,” said U.S. Senator Gillibrand. “Protecting our estuaries is of the utmost importance, and the president’s proposed funding cut would jeopardize these critical efforts. This is unacceptable.”
Senator Gillibrand has been a longtime environmental advocate and has previously passed legislation to protect the public from environmental risks. In 2018, Senator Gillibrand’s Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act, which combined and reauthorized two complementary water quality and habitat restoration programs, was enacted as a part of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. In February 2025, Senator Gillibrand reintroduced the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act to again reauthorize the program. Senator Gillibrand is dedicated to protecting and preserving New York’s natural treasures, and she will continue to fight against any funding cuts to the NEP.
“I lead the bipartisan ESTUARIES Act in the House because I represent two of our nation’s 28 nationally recognized estuaries—and I know they’re vital to our economy, our fisheries, and the coastal way of life we cherish,” said Rep. Nick LaLota. “That’s why I’m proud to join Senator Gillibrand and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure clean water and healthy habitats remain national priorities for generations to come.”
“Reauthorization of EPA’s National Estuary Program is imperative if we want to protect the environment and economy of the East End,” said New York State Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni. “The Peconic Estuary Partnership is at the forefront of a collaborative approach to improving water, restoring habitats, and ensuring the resiliency of our communities in the wake of climate change. The continued influx of federal funds is absolutely necessary, and I thank our bipartisan representatives for their unwavering support. “
“As the Suffolk County Legislator for the 1st District, I understand how vital our estuaries are to both the health of our environment and the strength of our local economy,” said Suffolk County Legislator Catherine Stark. “Fully funding the National Estuary Programs is a bipartisan imperative that is essential to safeguarding our coastal communities and preserving these critical natural resources for generations to come.”
“The Peconic Estuary, one of 28 National Estuary Programs in the United States, is a precious jewel in the crown of New York State waterways. One of two National Estuary programs on Long Island, the other being the Long Island Sound Study, Peconic Estuary Partnership relies on federal funding as a critical component for the success of their work,” said Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker. “We are grateful to Senator Gillibrand for her commitment to protect the funding for this important economic and recreational natural resource that provides so much for so many on Eastern Long Island, and throughout the region. “
“On eastern Long Island, our environment is our economy, and the National Estuary Program stands as a bi-partisan, stakeholder driven success story,” said Bob DeLuca, President of the Group for the East End. “Without question, the program’s generational investment in science-based, clean water and coastal habitat solutions holds the key to solving our most challenging ecological problems. But only through a fully funded National Estuary Program can we and so many other coastal communities hope to continue the critical progress made and meet the many challenges that lie ahead. “
“Operating from the easternmost tip of LI for 55 years, Concerned Citizens of Montauk (CCOM) has been creating awareness and advocacy around the importance of protecting our fragile ecosystems upon which the health of our marine environment depends,” said Kay Tyler, Executive Director of CCOM. “Preserving the National Estuary Program—renowned as one of the most cost-effective environmental initiatives in the nation—is essential for safeguarding the health of our estuaries, which are the seeding grounds to ensuring a harmonious equilibrium among our ecology, environment, and economy.”
“We are grateful for the support of Senator Gillibrand and her recognition of the power of the National Estuary Program to protect both ecosystems and economies. Her commitment to clean water in New York is outstanding,” said Joyce Novak, PhD, Executive Director of the Peconic Estuary Partnership and Chair of the Association of National Estuary Programs. “The National Estuary Program is one of the smartest investments Congress can make in clean water, resilient infrastructure, and local economies. Fully funding the NEP ensures that coastal communities can continue to lead with science, partner across sectors, and deliver real results where they matter most.”
“New York is blessed to have 3 waterways in the National Estuary Program. The Long Island Sound, Peconic Estuary and the NY NJ Harbor have all been designated as Estuaries of National Significance,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “They are some of our favorite places for boating, kayaking, fishing, crabbing, and swimming. A fully funded NEP program leverages private and state funding for on the ground restoration and protection projects. Thank you to Senator Gillibrand for her commitment to healthy waters in NY.”
“We are grateful to Senator Gillibrand for leading the call to fully fund the National Estuary Program for FY 2026, and to her, and Majority Leader Schumer, Senator Blumenthal, and Senator Murphy for their relentless commitment to ensuring this crucial investment in Long Island Sound and the other 27 estuaries in the program,” said Denise Stranko, Executive Vice President of Programs at Save the Sound. “This is an exciting time, as earlier this summer the Long Island Sound Partnership released its new Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, providing a blueprint to forge ahead with efforts to restore Long Island Sound. The investment in a fully funded NEP is indispensable in strengthening our Great Urban Estuary and our coastlines and communities that depend on a healthy, thriving Long Island Sound.”
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