Plum Island: Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer reintroduce legislation to prevent sale
New York Senators, Kirsten Gillibrand, Charles E. Schumer and Connecticut Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy announced the reintroduction of the Plum Island Conservation Act, legislation that would permanently repeal a law that requires the federal General Service Administration (GSA) to sell the Plum Island to the highest bidder.
Public domain photo/Keith Weller
The legislation would allow the island to be transferred to another federal agency, such as the National Park Service or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to a state or local government, or to a private steward that can commit to preserving the environmental integrity of Plum Island.
“Plum Island is one of New York’s natural treasures and it should never be sold off,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am proud to reintroduce this legislation to protect this land and preserve it for future generations, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill. Congress has a responsibility to protect our public lands, and this legislation is an important step toward that goal.”
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“Plum Island is home to hundreds of species of wildlife and numerous important historical sites. Preserving the Island’s rich history and natural resources is a top priority of mine. I’ll continue to work with my colleagues in the Connecticut and New York delegation to prohibit the federal government from selling this treasured island to the highest bidder,” said Senator Murphy.
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Currently, the GSA is required by law to sell the entire island, including the Plum Island Animal Disease Center research facility and its surrounding natural habitat, to the highest bidder. Congress mandated the sale of Plum Island in order to help pay for construction of the new bio-lab in Kansas. However, legislation since then successfully included money for the lab, making the sale of the island unnecessary.
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