The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) finalized the Long Island Watershed Action Agenda and announced new land acquisitions to protect water resources statewide.
The five-year Long Island Watershed Action Agenda establishes a framework for improving water quality, conserving aquatic habitats, and safeguarding groundwater in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Developed through the Long Island Watershed Program, the plan identifies goals for clean water, healthy habitats, sustainable groundwater management, and increased public engagement.
DEC said the agenda builds on the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan and expands its scope to address issues such as plastic pollution, nutrient loading, and habitat degradation. It will guide coordination among local governments, state agencies, and community organizations to implement restoration and infrastructure projects.
Alongside the plan, DEC secured more than 1,200 acres of land to protect water quality across multiple regions, including Westchester, the Finger Lakes, and Western New York. The properties include wetlands, forests, and shorelines that filter drinking water and provide natural buffers against runoff.
Five land trusts received $7.4 million through the state’s Water Quality Improvement Project program to acquire and conserve these properties. In Erie County, the Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and Western New York Land Conservancy protected 44 acres within the Niagara River watershed. Additional acquisitions in Allegany County will preserve 200 acres and safeguard drinking water for communities in the Genesee River Basin.