US launches protection agenda for Atlantic Ocean estuary

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection have unveiled an agenda to protect and restore the Long Island Sound, an Atlantic Ocean estuary in the US.

The agenda will focus on improving water quality, restoring habitat, conserving land and maintaining biodiversity from 2011 to 2013.

The agenda, which is sponsored by the EPA and the states of Connecticut and New York, will also research stormwater practices to control nitrogen and pilot innovative strategies such as using shellfish and seaweed to mitigate nitrogen pollution.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation assistant commissioner James Tierney said that the agenda provides a solid framework for improving water quality to protect and restore habitat and living resources.