Located
less than a mile from Orient Point, the tip of Long
Island’s North Fork, lies the 840 acre, pork
chop-shaped Plum Island.
Most famously, the island houses the Plum Island Animal Disease Center. What is lesser known is that the approximately 90% of Plum Island that is undeveloped not only holds significant ecological and scenic sites -- it also holds nationally-significant artifacts and historic buildings, including the 1870 Plum Gut Lighthouse and the 1897 Fort Terry army barracks and weapons batteries.
Now, Plum Island's wildlife habitat is in danger of being sold to developers. In 2008, Congress approved sale of the island to a private party, with plans to move the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility to another state.
The approximately 90% of Plum Island that is undeveloped not only holds significant ecological and scenic sites -- it also holds nationally-significant artifacts and historic buildings – including the 1870 Plum Gut Lighthouse and the 1897 Fort Terry army barracks and weapons batteries. Plum Island’s scenic value, ecological resources and historic sites offer tremendous potential for recreation and public education, and make it an ideal candidate for permanent preservation.
Visit the Preserve Plum Island website | Sign the petition to save Plum Island
