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 Energy and Natural Resources
To require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of Plum Island.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Plum Island Preservation Study Act
.
Sec. 2. Plum Island preservation study
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
(2) Study area
The term study area means the consolidated Federal asset commonly known as Plum Island
in the State of New York and all improvements on and to the Federal asset, including—
(A)
the Orient Point facility; and
(B)
all real and personal property, all transportation assets, and all associated infrastructure that support—
(i)
Plum Island operations; and
(ii)
access to Plum Island.
(b) Study
(1) In general
The Secretary shall conduct a study to determine the appropriateness of—
(A)
designating all or a portion of the study area as a unit of the National Park System or a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System; or
(B)
providing protection for the resources of the study area by other means.
(2) Contents
In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—
(A)
evaluate the national significance of the study area;
(B)
consult with interested Federal agencies, State or local governmental entities, private and nonprofit organizations, or any other interested individuals; and
(C)
identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance associated with the alternatives considered.
(3) Report
Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to carry out the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that describes—
(A)
the findings and conclusions of the study; and
(B)
any recommendations of the Secretary.