New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the release of the final Long Island Watershed Action Agenda (Action Agenda). The Action Agenda is a 10-year strategic plan for improving water quality on Long Island.

Consistent with other strategic plans, the Action Agenda orients itself around a guiding focus, mission, and vision. The focus of the Action Agenda is on water quality issues across Long Island and items that are affected by the status of water quality. The mission statement, expressing the core purpose of the plan, is to protect and restore Long Island’s water resources for a healthy environment and sustainable future. The vision, emphasizing the future direction of the Action Agenda, is a Long Island with clean, healthy, and sustainable water resources and habitats achieved through innovative strategies and an engaged public.  

Another foundational item of the Action Agenda is the cross-cutting principles. These principles—environmental justice, climate change, science-based decision-making, partnerships, and innovation—will guide each phase of implementation. By developing the Action Agenda with these principles at the forefront, the DEC is engaging a wide array of local stakeholders, community groups, scientific experts, and citizens to achieve the meaningful engagement that will yield benefits to Long Island’s water quality. 

The foundational items of the plan are grounded by the four goals of the Action Agenda. The goals are:  

• Clean Water 
• Healthy Habitats 
• Sustainable Groundwater Resources 
• Inspired and Engaged Public

Within each goal are objectives and actions to guide the DEC and its partners on implementation projects and activities.

The Long Island Watershed Action Agenda is an evolution of the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP) and will expand the scope of its work beyond nitrogen reduction. Long Island’s coastal and fresh waterbodies, critical habitats like seagrass, sole-source aquifer, and residents are all what make this piece of New York State unique. 

The Action Agenda was developed by the Long Island Watershed Program and its Implementation Committee, a diverse group of key regional stakeholders. These member organizations have been critical to the development of this strategic plan and will be taking the lead on many of the actions outlined. The successful implementation of the Action Agenda will rely on the partners on the Committee, as well as other partners across the island. With the release of the final Action Agenda, the Long Island Watershed Program and Implementation Committee will continue to identify priority projects and hit the ground running with implementation activities.  

The Long Island Watershed Program is excited to start this new chapter of water quality improvements. More information on the progress, successes, and challenges of implementing the Action Agenda will be shared as implementation kicks off.  

Many partners can take the lead in advancing the Action Agenda through projects and activities that improve water quality on Long Island. All are welcome to join in these efforts! 

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