Zeldin, Gershon Face Off On Environmental Issues

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — With Election Day less than a month away, Rep. Lee Zeldin, a Republican who is running for his second term representing the 1st Congressional District, and his opponent, businessman and Democrat Perry Gershon, appeared together for the first time at an environmental candidate forum in Riverhead.

The event, hosted by the New York League of Conservation Voters, Citizen's Campaign for the Environment, Save the Sound and Defend H2O, was held at the Suffolk County Community Culinary Arts & Hospitality Center on Main Street. The candidates did not debate one another; the forum was held in two parts,with Gershon answering questions first, followed by Zeldin.

An unhappy crowd was told at the doors to the event that the room was "at capacity," and, according to fire regulations, could not accommodate any additional guests; the event was registration only and was listed as filled online.

Gershon, who has a home in East Hampton, kicked off the event, which included questions from a panel including Louise Harrison of Save the Sound, Adrienne Esposito of Citizen's Campaign for the Environment, and Kevin McAllister of Defend H2O, as well as three questions each from the audience.

Gershon said it was the first opportunity he and Zeldin have had "to respond to each other — and we couldn't have a better topic. The environment is under attack. Society needs members of Congress who are going to stand up and protect the environment."

The role of a congressman, he said, used to be focused on securing funding but now, "the job goes a lot further," Gershon said, with climate change a major concern. "We need a congressman that's going to stand up to the Trump administration and say, 'No, we're not going to take this anymore. We're going to get on the right track.' That's why I ran for Congress."

Gershon came out swinging at Zeldin. "You're going to listen to Lee Zeldin tell you how he's taken votes to protect the environment." But looking at the "big picture," Gershon said, "Lee Zeldin's record on clean air and water is zero percent. He is not a friend of the environment and if we care about Long Island, the place we live, the water that surrounds us . . .we need to reverse their course. I'm here to stop it and to get back on track, at least from an environmental standpoint."

In his opening statement, Zeldin, who entered the room to rousing applause and a standing ovation, said environmental concerns were "important issues that should bring us together in fighting for this district."

Zeldin, who lives in Shirley, said he's lived on Long Island, surrounded by water, his entire life. Running over his environmental successes, Zeldin said he is the co-founder of shellfish and national estuary caucuses; he pointed to a "big win" a week ago when President Donald Trump signed a bill reauthorizing the EPA's five-year Long Island Sound program, to the tune of $65 million per year. He highlighted efforts to stop Connecticut's dumping of dredge spoils into the Long Island Sound and efforts to protect Plum Island from sale and preserve the parcel. He also discussed tax credits for preservation, a fully funded national estuary program — there are two national estuaries, of the 28 nationwide, on the East End, including the Long Island Sound and the Peconic Estuary, Zeldin said. He also spotlighted a fully funded National Sea Grant as another battle he's fought for the district.

Zeldin said he opposes the current administration's plan as it relates to offshore drilling, noting that, since the resources don't exist off the East Coast, damage would be caused just by exploring the areas. In addition, Zeldin said, "We don't have the infrastructure — and we just don't want it."

He thanked the crowd for coming, "regardless of who you support."

The issues

Harrison asked both candidates about comprehensive wastewater treatment. With deep cuts to the Environmental Protection agency, she asked the candidates what they would do to guarantee that the federal government was a "fully engaged" partner in addressing environmental needs.

Gershon said it's a multiple step approach, including enforcement of the EPA, originally created under the Nixon administration to protect the environment, which seems to be "repurposed under Trump." On Long Island, there's a need to protect water, improve infrastructure such as sewers and septic systems — but, he said, monetary needs exceed what the county and state can supply, so the federal government plays a critical role.

"The federal government has a fund" to address those needs, he said, and "we need to replenish those funds. Lee Zeldin is not voting to do that. . . I will vote the other way and find ways to work with the other side to find small constituencies to protect the environment," adding riders to a bill, for example, to help fight back against water pollution or fund new infrastructure. "We need to make sure it gets funded. If I can’t do it by myself, let's work with the other side. We need to go back to more bipartisan governance. The environment is, for the most part, save the Trump administration, a bi-partisan issue."

Zeldin responded to Harrison's question by stating that he lives on the Mastic Peninsula, where the Forge River might arguably be one "of the most polluted waterways in the state of New York." He pointed to large dredging project he's supported involving the Moriches Inlet that hopefully can flush out the Forge Inlet.

While the days are gone when the federal government paid 95 percent of the cost of large projects, the goal is to secure additional federal government funding, "to get these much-needed projects over the finish line," Zeldin said. Also critical, he said, is multiple levels of government working together.

Esposito said Trump "seems to be working hard at eviscerating" clean air, rolling back regulations on carbon dioxide and mercury emissions, as well as methane emissions. Suffolk County, she said, regularly gets an "F" from the American Lung Association for its air quality. "We deserve better," she said. "How will you fight the plan to roll back climate change" and the seeming goal to "rescue coal. . like rescuing the Edsel?"

Zeldin said the Clean Air Act has been a bipartisan success for decades; standards are set on a state by state basis, he said. "I believe it's hugely important to ensure we have stringent standards set to provide clean air and clean water for Long Island and across the country," Zeldin said. "We have to be smart and set ambitious and obtainable goals." On Long Island, he said, "We have outdated plants that are economically and environmentally inefficient." The good news, he said, is that there have been technological advances. He said inside the White House, "they feel strongly about clean air standards," and added that it's critical to ensure that the government is enacting smart policy to protect the environment.

Gershon responded to Esposito's question: "Unlike the President, who said, 'I alone can fix things,' I alone cannot fix things." But with the right numbers, Congress, he said, has the ability to make change when Trump puts through policy "counter to federal laws or norms. Congress has the right to hold hearings, but that only happens when there's a Congress that's properly putting checks on the executive branch," something, he said, the current House of Representatives is not doing. "We need numbers to stand up to the President to make sure the EPA is doing what the EPA is supposed to do," Gershon said. He also said the the United States needs to get back into the Paris Agreement.

Next, McAlllister discussed sea level rise, and said the response on the East End has been largely sand replenishment and coastal armoring. He asked both candidates what they would do to ensure the coastline remained sustainable for public use.

"The reality is, long term, as sea levels rise, we're going to have to move further back away from the shore," Gershon said. "You can put band aids; sandbags work sometimes, sometimes, they don't. The real answer is to move back our usage. Where the shoreline is today is not going to be where it is tomorrow." Once again, he suggested the U.S. get back into the Paris Accord and focus on clean energy technology such as solar and wind power, with incentives at the federal, state and county levels. Producing wind turbines in Suffolk County would also mean new business and jobs, he said.

Zeldin said there are places that need attention: "We don't want downtown Montauk to fall into the water. Hashamomuck Cove is in pretty bad shape; in some areas, the beach is gone at high tide." He also said the Mastic Peninsula needed to be addressed to protect lives.

Part of the Fire Island to Montauk Point Reformulation Study, he said, includes coastal resiliency, including raising 4,400 homes. Those engaging in mitigation could have a reduction in flood insurance, he said.

"Some might suggest to move inland, especially if you don't live here," Zeldin said — Zeldin has alleged that his opponent, whom he's called "Park Avenue Perry," lived in Manhattan and had a weekend home in East Hampton, where he registered to vote for the election. But others he said, live in the area and have homes and businesses.

"Some will say, move away from the coast, but if you are being responsible, there are many different aspect you need to pursue, as opposed to telling your constituents you just need to leave," Zeldin said

Next, McAllister asked about the EPA lifting a restriction on pesticides in surface waters and the candidates' stance.

Gershon said it's a balance, because pesticides fight mosquito borne diseases, but at the moment, there isn't a huge problem with those diseases. He said the key, however, is to reduce standing water.

Zeldin said combatting West Nile virus s not just about pesticide use, it's about public education, surveillance, and control. East End farmers are using more organic substances; studying the use of pesticides to combat West Nile in other areas is also helpful, Zeldin said. Restrictions are important, he said. "We could do a lot better than what we're doing," he said, but added the government has been active in studying the issue.

Esposito asked about the Federal Emergency Management Agency's striking "climate change" from its strategic plan, despite its goal of readying the nation for catastrophic disaster. "Ignorance isn't bliss. Ignorance is dangerous," she said.

"We do have a problem right now," Gershon said. "We had a president on TV last night who denied climate change. He poo poos it, doesn't take it seriously. It's very hard with the President of the United States denying scientific fact to have a good strategic plan going forward; however, we must do it. Climate change is real. As members of Congress, hopefully with a Democratic majority, we need to push to correct some missteps taken by the Trump administration."

Zeldin said the Department of Defense has continued its work strategically in the area of climate change. "Amendments have been filed to strike the climate change language out of the Department of Defense. I was one of the Republicans that voted against that amendment. . . We as a country need to have a discussion on the topic."

Harrison then asked about how each candidate would fight to preserve federal conservation lands, when there are "loud voices" in the present administration calling for the federal divestiture of such lands, some for exploitation of mineral and fossil fuels, some for state control. The Dept. of Interior, she said, lists American energy as a top priority with "alternate energy at the bottom of that list."

"Conservation is hugely important for our district," for Republicans, Democrats, liberals and all, Zeldin said. "We have a long history of presidents and administrations looking to preserve more land, not less." Locally, he pointed to the fight to save Plum Island, 90 percent of which is"undeveloped — and it should stay that way," with more public access and possible partnerships with schools and research facilities.

The East End looks as it does, he said, because of conservation easement tax credits. "There are some in Congress that want to sell off more land, but they remain very much the minority," Zeldin said.

Gershon said he is proud of the steps prior administrations have taken to protect land; on Long Island, open space has been a priority. "We don't allow rampant development. We need to take a similar path going forward. We can't allow selling of federal land, or offshore coastal exploration."

While Gershon acknowledged that Zeldin has spoken up against offshore drilling for Long Island, he, himself, opposes the plan on the entire eastern seaboard, as well as by using alternative energy, not crude oil.

The candidates were asked audience questions, the first being what they could bring to the table, attributable to them, to protect the environment.

Gershon said he hasn't been in federal government before but that doesn't mean he can't represent the public and its interests. "They are our interests and we need to fight what's happening today," he said.

Zeldin said he can't take sole credit for something that's a product of working hand in hand with his colleagues, listing multiple examples. "It would be wrong of me to go down the list and say, 'It was all me.'"

When asked what they would do to encourage energy efficiency on Long Island, Zeldin said the key is to start young, getting kids involved in giving back; for example, the Moriches Bay Project, or teaching them about the need to have clean water. Education in schools, at home, or teaching children an understanding of the process of rain going through the lawn and into local water, are lifelong lessons, he said. "A lot of this is education. So that when you are an adult, a homeowner, you can be more responsible." And, he said: "People are motivated by economics." Economic incentives, new technologies, offshore wind, clean energy projects and tax incentives for solar power are all ways to encourage energy efficiency, he said.

Gershon pointed to tax incentives as a way to motivate individuals. "It's the right thing to do, but with the tax incentives you get people to buy in and cooperate, and to do it faster," he said.

When asked about how to fight back against plastics in the ocean, Gershon said the use of plastic bottles and bags needs to be discouraged.

Zeldin pointed to Cornell Cooperative, which does great work cleaning fishing lines and plastics out of local waterways; he added that along with local programs, individuals need to be more responsible.

Each candidate then gave a closing statement.

"We're at a juncture in our country right now. If we care about the environment and we want our government to be taking steps to protect our en we need to elect leaders who will make sure those steps get taken," Gershon said. "We have an administration out to reverse decades of advances on protecting the environment. We need to elect representatives who will work essentially against the administration, fight the administration or will check the administration to make sure that we're looking out for our environment and not looking out for private enterprise . . We need to protect our clean air and our clean water. We can't be voting for the polluters at the expense of our environment."

He added that there's a need to push clean energy "and not clean coal." He added: "Building walls aren't the answer, not on the border and not the sea wall from Fire Island to Montauk. The long-term solution is to fight global warming so the sea level doesn't rise as quickly, he said.

"This is everything that America is all about," Zeldin said. "What's going to happen over the course over these few weeks ultimately leads to an Election Day where the voters decide who represents them. It's a beautiful thing. No one's going to tell you how you are required to vote. It's all between you and the ballot box." He urged all to vote. "Regardless of who you are voting for, more people need to participate in the process." It's very important, he added, when an election happens, if a candidate comes in first or second, they accept the results and work together. "My message . . is to talk to your supporters and work with your colleagues because we in a country need to do a better job working together . . . coming together after this election."

Patch photos and video by Lisa Finn.