A New Chapter for Plum Island?

On September 14, 1899, the State of New York ceded Plum Island to the federal government to be used, as reported the next day by The New York Times, “as a portion of the defense of New York Harbor.” Now, 127 years later, we are potentially in the final months of the federal government’s mission on Plum Island.

And for the first time in more than a century and a quarter, there appears to be a path forward for permanent preservation of this 822-acre island off Long Island’s North Fork.

Back in July, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine announced his interest in the County gaining ownership of Plum Island once the federal government issues its Report of Surplus Property. “Our goal,” he said in a statement, “is to ensure Plum Island remains protected forever.”

Thant happens to be Save the Sound’s goal as well, and the goal of our partners within the Preserve Plum Island Coalition we’ve been leading for 15 years.

And our work continues. Before the federal General Services Administration (GSA) can issue its report:

·         The Department of Homeland Security must issue a Report of Excess after concluding its work at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center. At that point, other federal agencies can express interest in the island, though we know of none expected to do so.

·         Suffolk County must continue its due diligence; it’s pursuing New York State funding needed to create a business and operational plan for the island.

But sometime in 2027, we expect the GSA will release its report at which point Suffolk County can raise its hand, officially expressing its interest in taking ownership of Plum Island.

Meanwhile, we will continue working with the County on its plan for preserving Plum Island as a center for conservation, scientific research, education, and carefully managed public access, and keeping our Save the Sound community updated o these long-awaited promising developments.

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This first appeared in Sound Bites, the newsletter of Save the Sound, in the September 2026 issue.