Suffolk seeks to take over Plum Island from feds

Suffolk County seeks to partner with the state to fund a study to preserve 840-acre Plum Island as a "publicly owned center" for scientific research, environmental conservation and education, county officials announced Wednesday.

Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine called it a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity to protect the island from private development and allow for limited public access at the island home to a departing federal laboratory.

"Plum Island is one of the most extraordinary natural and historic treasures in the United States," Romaine said in a statement to Newsday. "Our goal is to ensure Plum Island remains protected forever."

Plum Island has been home to the federal government's Animal Disease Center, which opened in 1954 but is relocating to a new facility in Kansas and will be called the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility.

Limited access to the island has added an aura of mystery around it. The late Long Island author Nelson DeMille set his 1997 John Corey novel around that mystery with "Plum Island."

Initial phase

Acquiring the island through a "public benefit conveyance process" would require multiple steps beginning with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security declaring the island excess property later this year. The county is currently seeking state funds for a "comprehensive business and operations plan" it can present to the federal government.

The federal General Services Administration is expected to declare the property a surplus in early 2027 if another federal agency does not seek the property, according to the county.

The county can then formally announce its interest.

Deputy County Executive Jennifer Juengst announced the county’s intent Wednesday at the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council’s public session in Melville. The council helps allocate state grants.

She said the county in early 2027 would announce its interest to acquire the island as a "public conveyance" for potentially no cost. Otherwise, the federal government could negotiate a sale to either public or private entities by auction, she said.

Assemb. Tommy John Schiavoni (D-Sag Harbor) called it an "incredible opportunity" and credited Romaine for his "willingness to go forward on this."

He said he will do everything he can to help the county acquire money toward the planning phase.

"I'm encouraged," he said. "I think it's something that a lot of people want."

No figures are available yet over how much the business plan would cost, county spokesman Mike Martino said.

"Time is of the essence," Romaine said. "The federal disposition process is expected to begin later this year and Suffolk County must be prepared with a credible and comprehensive plan."

Preservation efforts

The Preserve Plum Island Coalition, which includes more than 120 organizations, has fought for the island's preservation for more than a decade. 

Louise Harrison, a leader in the coalition, called the news "amazing."

She said county, town and state officials joined several environmental groups last week for a tour of the island organized by the office of Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). The Long Island project manager and senior science adviser of the nonprofit Save the Sound, Harrison said it was "incredibly encouraging" that county officials participated.

"We heard presentations by the Plum Island Animal Disease Center and GSA explaining the process of closure of the island's activities, cleanup and transfer," she said.

The island, located in Gardiners Bay off Orient Point, sits largely untouched outside of the federal laboratory that is home to more than 200 bird species. There are also several habitats rare for Long Island in the island's water.

In September, Newsday reported the federal government approached the county to explore it possibly taking ownership of the island. Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville), who proposed legislation in 2023 to designate the island as a national monument, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Schumer called the county's decision a "vital step forward for the future of Plum Island" and said he'll continue to work with the county "to preserve this national treasure."

 Suffolk Legis. Greg Doroski (D-Mattituck), whose district covers the island, participated in last week's tour and said Wednesday it takes partners "working together over years, often quietly, to build toward a moment like this." 

According to officials, the county will seek to identify "operating and security needs, evaluate infrastructure and capital requirements and define conservation, research and public access priorities." 

Public access

What public access ultimately looks like is unclear. The Preserve Plum Island Coalition has sought "carefully managed and equitable public access" as part of its mission. In March, the coalition said it could include a wildlife refuge, as an example.

Harrison said there should be a management plan to determine public access in a sustainable way.

"We need to know what the island can tolerate in terms of people without harming the very things we're trying to protect," she said.

Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski Jr. said there are several challenges in managing the island, from security to transportation, and it requires a "real long-term commitment." The town implemented zoning a decade ago to limit development on the island.

In 2008, Congress passed a law mandating the island’s sale, putting it at risk to be sold to the highest bidder. But the island was later saved in 2020 when the sale was eliminated as part of the 2021 federal spending bill, Newsday previously reported.

The island had been in private hands from the 1600s through 1800s before the establishment of Fort Terry in 1897 to protect the East Coast during the Spanish-American War. The federal government purchased the remaining land in 1901.

By Joe Werkmeister

joe.werkmeister@newsday.com

Joe Werkmeister joined Newsday in 2022 and covers Suffolk County government and politics. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.

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