Senator Anthony Palumbo Hosts Environmental Roundtable Event in Riverhead

              New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo (R,C-New Suffolk) today hosted his annual Environmental Roundtable event at the Suffolk County Community College Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center in Riverhead.  This annual meeting brings together the region’s elected officials, environmental advocates, and area stakeholders to discuss and build upon past efforts to protect the environment and natural resources in Suffolk County and to discuss concerns and issues that will help shape this year’s legislative agenda.

             “This important forum brings together stakeholders and elected officials from throughout our area to brainstorm and identify solutions that can be incorporated into meaningful and effective legislation on a host of environmental issues,” said Senator Anthony Palumbo.  “I am thankful for the thoughtful insights and engagement from community leaders and elected officials, which are invaluable to our ongoing efforts to preserve the east end's unique quality of life, protect our environment and natural resources and promote our agricultural and aquacultural industries.”

            Organizations in attendance at today’s Environmental Roundtable include: Long Island Pine Barrens Society, Stony Brook University, Peconic Land Trust, Long Island Farm Bureau, Open Space Council, Suffolk County Department of Economic Development & Planning, East Hampton International Dark Sky Association, Save the Sound, North Fork Environmental Council, Setauket Harbor Task Force, The Nature Conservancy, Suffolk County Community College Sustainability Program, PJ Citizens for Open Space, Peconic Baykeeper, NY Sea Grant, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Concerned Citizens of Montauk, The Resource Group, Peconic Estuary Partnership, Eastern LI Surfrider Foundation, and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County.

            Area officials joining the roundtable were Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio, Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico, Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski, Suffolk County Legislators Catherine Stark, Anthony Piccirillo, Dominick Thorne, and Ann Welker, and Southold Town Councilmembers Greg Doroski and Brian Mealy.

            "In recent years Suffolk County residents overwhelmingly approved the Environmental Bond Act and Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act to equip our region with critical funding to keep our drinking water safe and protect our environment,” said Senator Anthony Palumbo.  “As elected officials, it is our duty to ensure that this funding and new policies work hand in hand to ensure the health and safety of our residents and environment today and for generations to come.”