February 5, 2025
Mr. Blumenthal (for himself, Mr. Schumer, Mrs. Gillibrand, and Mr. Murphy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
To prescribe requirements relating to the management of the consolidated Federal asset commonly known as Plum Island, New York, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Plum Island Preservation Act
.
Sec. 2. Permanent preservation of Plum Island, New York
(a) In general
The consolidated Federal asset commonly known as Plum Island, New York, and all associated real and personal properties, including the Orient Point, New York, terminal and facilities (referred to in this section as Plum Island), shall be protected in perpetuity for the purposes of—
(1)
ecological conservation;
(2)
discovery and celebration of the historical and cultural heritage of Plum Island; and
(3)
maintaining access to Plum Island.
(b) Requirement
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of General Services (referred to in this section as the Administrator), in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of the Interior, relevant Federal and State agencies, Tribal governments, and other stakeholders, shall initiate a process to commence formal visioning sessions that may form the basis for a future ecological management plan for Plum Island in accordance with subsection (a).
(c) Reports
Not later than 2 years after the date on which the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of the Interior, relevant Federal and State agencies, Tribal governments, and other stakeholders, initiates the process required under subsection (b), and each year thereafter until the date that is 1 year after the date on which the visioning sessions required under that subsection are completed, the Administrator shall submit to the Committees on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, and Oversight and Accountability of the House of Representatives a report that describes—
(1)
the Federal and State agencies, Tribal governments, and other stakeholders consulted during those visioning sessions;
(2)
the items discussed or reviewed during that process for the period covered by the applicable report;
(3)
the outcomes of that process, or expected outcomes if the process is ongoing;
(4)
if that process is not completed, the estimated timeline for completion; and
(5)
if that process is completed, the recommendations from those visioning sessions that may form the basis for a future ecological management plan for Plum Island.