Category: Habitat Restoration

Press Release: Proposal to build new dam threatens recovery of Nissequogue River and Lands it #7 on America’s Most Endangered Rivers List of 2026

American Rivers is today naming the Nissequogue River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2026, due to the recently approved proposal to build a new dam without a comprehensive environmental impact statement. The unexpected breach of Stump Pond Dam in 2024 restored an important stretch of the Nissequogue, reconnecting habitat, allowing the floodplain to function […]

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Press Release: Save the Sound Applauds Reauthorization of Programs Critical to Long Island Sound

Long Island Sound Partnership, National Estuary Program, BEACH Act clear hurdle Tuesday night Three programs critical to supporting Save the Sound’s work to restore and protect Long Island Sound were included in the American Water Stewardship Act (H.R. 6422), which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday night in a decisive bipartisan floor […]

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Suffolk County Legislature Advances Stump Pond Dam Build with Negative Declaration, Despite Serious Ecological and Flooding Concerns; Save the Sound Responds

Since 2024 dam breach, free-flowing Nissequogue has begun to recover and habitat is improving  The Suffolk County Legislature has voted to issue a negative declaration for the proposed construction of a new dam at the former site of Stump Pond Dam in Smithtown, determining that the project would not result in significant adverse environmental impacts […]

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Press Release: Save the Sound applauds Gov. Hochul’s clean water commitments in 2026 State of the State agenda

$3.75 billion proposed over five years for clean water infrastructure funding Save the Sound applauds Governor Hochul’s proposal of “a bold five-year, $3.75 billion commitment to water infrastructure, with $750 million in funding per year.” The Governor did not mention this investment in her annual State of the State address on Tuesday, but it was […]

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Press Release: Save the Sound sets legislative agenda for second session of 119th Congress

Reauthorization and funding of Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act, National Estuary Program remain top priorities As the second session of the 119th U.S. Congress gavels to a start, Save the Sound is focused on legislation that reauthorizes the Long Island Sound Partnership and National Estuary Program and robust funding for both programs in Fiscal […]

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Press Release: Save the Sound announces priorities for 2026 NYS legislative session

New York’s 2026 legislative session begins in Albany on Wednesday, January 7, amid heightened concerns about state budget shortfalls and affordability. Save the Sound acknowledges these challenges but also recognizes the urgency to strengthen state-level policy and funding to protect clean water and habitats, coastlines, and communities from the increasing impacts of climate change. “We […]

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Year in Review 2025: Saving the summer, year-round

The work we do together all year to protect and restore the water, air, and land in our Long Island Sound backyard will also protect your summer. Healthy waters to swim in, and to drink. Less trash underfoot on the beach. Fish migrating upstream to their spawning grounds and your fishing pole. Beautiful nature to […]

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Water Connectivity Spotlight: Let the Nissequogue Run

The Stump Pond Dam in Blydenburgh County Park in Smithtown, NY was constructed as a mill 227 years ago on the Nissequogue River, creating a 100-acre pond behind it. In August 2024, an unnamed thunderstorm breached the dam, unleashing the dam material and a flood wave from the impounded water to the downstream reaches of […]

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