Preserve Plum Island for Future Generations

Plum Island is an 840+ island located less than one mile off the tip of the North Fork of Long Island in the Long Island Sound. CCE is working to ensure that important open space and critical wildlife habitat on Plum Island is preserved. Undeveloped islands in the Sound are rare and should be protected. The possible sale of Plum Island is an extraordinary opportunity to restore and protect this island, possibly adding it into the National Wildlife Refuge System.

History of Plum Island
Named by explorers for the abundance of plum trees garnishing its beaches, Plum Island was acquired from the Montauk Indians by early settlers in the 1660’s in exchange for a coat, a barrel of biscuits and 100 fishing hooks.  It was primarily used as farmland until the late 1890’s, when it was purchased by the Federal Government for the construction of Fort Terry, an Army fortification used by the U.S. during the Spanish-American War.

Fort Terry was decommissioned in the late 1940’s, and the island was handed over to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, for use as an animal disease research facility.  The USDA gave the operation of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center to the Department of Homeland Security in 2003, and USDA research staff continues to work in collaboration with DHS research and operations staff on the island.

In 2008, Pres. Bushed signed the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act, which required the DHS to find a replacement for the outdated disease research facility located on Plum Island.  A site for the new National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility has been secured in Manhattan, Kansas, leaving the island up for sale to the highest bidder.

Plum Island Cleanup
Due to years of use as a government laboratory and disease research facility, Plum Island is in need of extensive comprehensive cleanup.  There have been 17 separate sites  identified by the Environmental Protection Agency that require contaminant remediation, due to the presence of high levels of hazardous substances, including pesticides, PCB’s, and a wide variety of laboratory chemicals.  CCE is working to obtain an Environmental Impact Study that maps and identifies all contaminated sites, the extent of contamination, characterizes groundwater plumes and provides a full comprehensive remediation plan.

The Significance of Plum Island
Plum Island has major cultural and historical significance for the greater Long Island Sound community.  The Plum Island Lighthouse and remains of Fort Terry still stand, as reminders of our maritime culture.  It is crucial to preserve these monuments, so that we may keep our heritage fresh in the minds of our future generations.

Approximately 90% of Plum Island is undeveloped, complete with pristine wetland and grassland areas, giving it tremendous ecological value.  It is inhabited by a wide variety of plant species, including rare orchids, oaks and carnivorous plants. The island is considered to be vital breeding grounds for over 80 species of birds, including several endangered species, such as Piping Plovers and Roseate Terns.  Plum Island is a historical and ecological treasure to the Long Island Sound community, and CCE strongly advocates for the comprehensive characterization and full cleanup of Plum Island.

Extra: CCE Plum Island Press

Read about CCE and the Preserve Plum Island Coalition’s visit to the island on October 6, 2010

ALSO

View the Preserve Plum Island website to learn more about this exciting issue, and take action now by signing the petition!

Updated by lburch 3/9/11