Andrew Raia
Assemblyman Andrew Raia (R,C,I-East Northport) joined over 30 federal, state and local officials to sign a letter from Gov. Andrew Cuomo informing President Obama that New York will take legal action against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) if the planned dumping of dredged materials from Connecticut is approved. The EPA has issued a rule that would allow potentially hazardous materials to be dumped in the Long Island Sound and compromise the health and safety of Long Island’s environment, as well as its residents.
“It’s unfathomable to me that the EPA, an agency that is supposed to be protecting and preserving our environment, would allow such an irresponsible plan as this,” said Raia. “What does it say about the EPA and its view of Long Island that it would take waste and dangerous material from another state and dump it into one of our most treasured and scenic waterways? This plan is inexcusable, and there will be consequences if a new one is not formulated.”
Raia has been a major proponent of environmental protection and New York’s agenda to end open water dumping on Long Island. The plan being pushed by the EPA to make the Long Island Sound a new designated disposal site would impede upon the extensive progress that has been made to protect Long Island’s environment.
“I have been fighting for the safety and protection of Long Island’s environment for as long as I have been an elected official,” said Raia. “This new plan by the EPA is a betrayal of trust and undermines the success we’ve experienced from the work that went into protecting our environment for future generations to enjoy. I will not stand by and allow such irresponsible actions to harm Long Island or its residents. By signing the governor’s letter, I am making sure the voices of Long Island residents are heard and the EPA will never see fit to use the Long Island Sound as a dumping ground again.”
