Protecting Plum Island Is Important

Just 10 miles off Connecticut’s shore is the 843-acre Plum Island. It has long been the home of a federal research facility, the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, but its future remains uncertain.
As a result of limited human presence, most of the island has been undisturbed and is home to wildlife and native plants.
The Office of Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen reported that 664 acres remain undeveloped including “96 acres of freshwater wetlands, 101 acres of beach and dune systems, and 196 acres of relatively undisturbed upland forests.” According to the Save the Sound organization, the island is home of the largest seal haul-out in New England and is the breeding site for threatened birds such as the piping plovers. Save the Sound is advocating that most of the island be added to an existing wildlife refuge along the Long Island Sound.
They hope that beaches, marshes, and forests are protected as open space and trails be added for all to enjoy.
They are advocating that the already developed portion be sold for low-impact use, suggesting a university research center.
Preservation is important to Save the Sound because the organization stated in a press release that “intensive private development could ruin wildlife habitats, pollute the (Long Island) Sound, and preclude pubic access.”
In fact, Jepsen’s office was highly concerned about a July 2012 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
He stated that “a high development scenario…would result in 195 acres (approximately 23% of the island) being developed, yet it is impossible to speculate that that is the outer limit of possible development scenarios.”
These scenarios present “troubling unknowns and the potential for incalculable and unacceptable detrimental impact to Plum Island as well as to Long Island Sound”.   Plum Island, which was formerly a military facility, is part of the town of Southold, one of the towns on the North Fork of Long Island.
While the property is not under zoning regulations as federal property, upon sale of the property it would fall under town zoning regulations.
The town is suggesting a conservation district that would “preserve the integrity of the regionally significant natural, scenic, and historic resources of Plum Island for the benefit of the residents of the Town of Southold.”
They are also suggesting a research district that would “encourage the use of land for research and education opportunities, provide employment opportunities and to preserve the island’s significant natural, historic, scenic, and cultural resources.”
The town’s proposal would have acceptable uses of the island to include a nature preserve, public park for passive recreation, educational facility and museums.
A public hearing will be held on May 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Southhold Town Hall to discuss the rezoning and redistricting of Plum Island. Save the Sound and Preserve Plum Island Coalition will provide more information and provide talking points as we get closer to that date.