Bishop Seeks To Save, Not Sell, Plum Island

Congressman Tim Bishop will continue his fight to save Plum Island from development — and keep it off the chopping block — as he heads to Orient Tuesday.

Bishop will be joined by a coalition of elected officials and environmental groups to announce the introduction of his new bipartisan bill aimed at preserving biodiversity and preventing further development on Plum Island.

“Plum Island is one of the natural treasures of the Northeast and my bill would eliminate the wrongheaded requirement that it be sold into private hands for a fraction of its true value to our nation," Bishop said.

"If the federal government did not already own Plum Island, it would be seeking to purchase it for conservation as a prime habitat for rare birds and plants as well as a research campus ideal for the study of biology and botany, alternative energy development, or other scientific disciplines. Elected officials, environmental advocates, and the entire community speak with one voice in support of my legislation: Save, don’t sell, Plum Island.”

According to Bishop, legislation passed by Congress in 2008 mandates the public sale of Plum Island, despite what he deems its vital importance as a home for birds, seals, and other plants and wildlife.

The federal General Services Administration recently released a final environmental impact Statement on the sale and continues to prepare for a potential public auction, claiming that up to 500 new homes could be constructed on the island. Residential development is adamantly opposed by Bishop, other elected officials, and environmental groups.

"Southold has proposed zoning that will not allow for the construction of the homes the GSA envisions in its final EIS," said Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell recently. "The zoning, which I anticipate being adopted soon after some modest revisions, will not allow for the construction of residential dwellings on the site — not 500, not even five."