Public Comments Accepted through July 25, 2025
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today released the draft Long Island Watershed Action Agenda for public comment. The Action Agenda is a clear cut blueprint for water quality improvements, aquatic habitat conservations, groundwater protection, and the public engagement necessary to ensure success for the surface, coastal, and ground waters of Nassau and Suffolk counties.
“All New Yorkers deserve clean water,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “DEC applauds Governor Hochul’s sustained investments to prioritize water quality to further protect residents on Long Island and encourages the public to provide feedback on this robust Action Agenda. DEC is dedicated to improving water quality, achieving healthy aquatic habitats, protecting groundwater resources, and cultivating stewardship and engagement with the public with the aim of having a more resilient Long Island.”
The Long Island Watershed Action Agenda is an evolution of the success of the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP) and will expand the scope of its work beyond nitrogen reduction. Long Island is almost entirely dependent on its sole-source aquifer and helping water providers protect this valuable and unique groundwater source is vital to ensuring millions of people in Nassau and Suffolk counties have affordable clean water to drink. Under Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership, the draft Action Agenda will advance additional efforts to protect the unparalleled recreational and commercial water resources that are vital to the residents, countless tourists, and aquatic and terrestrial species on Long Island.
The Action Agenda is open for public comment and DEC is hosting a webinar on Tuesday, July 15, to present an overview and encourage interested New Yorkers to provide comments and feedback on the plan. The public, environmental groups, and municipal officials across Long Island will have the opportunity to join. Register to attend.
The Action Agenda is a strategic framework developed by the Long Island Watershed Program and its Implementation Committee, a group of key regional stakeholders, to guide the actions and next steps to improve watershed issues resources locally, and is organized by four main goal topics, with objectives and implementation actions outlined under each goal. The four goals are:
- Clean Water;
- Healthy Habitats;
- Sustainable Groundwater Resources; and
- Inspired and Engaged Public.
DEC will accept comments until July 25, 2025. Those interested in viewing the Action Agenda can access the draft version on DEC's website and submit comments to [email protected] with the subject line “Long Island Watershed Action Agenda Public Comment”.
New York's Commitment to Water Quality
New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure, including more than $2.2 billion in financial assistance from EFC for local water infrastructure projects in State Fiscal Year 2024 alone. With $500 million allocated for clean water infrastructure in the FY26 Enacted Budget announced by Governor Hochul, New York will have invested a total of $6 billion in water infrastructure between 2017 and this year. This includes $700 million in water investments on Long Island, including $66.1 million for the State Septic System replacement program. Any community needing assistance with water infrastructure projects is encouraged to contact EFC. New Yorkers can track projects benefiting from EFC’s investments using the interactive project impact dashboard.
