Clean water, EPA, Trump critics, native plants, weeds

Leaders must ensure safe water

The article “Testing LI’s water for particles” [News, May 8] illustrates that the use and consumption of countless plastic products is more than just an environmental concern. It represents a growing threat to human health.

Fortunately, state lawmakers are focusing on the issue and the “Skip the Stuff”-type bill is one important example. This legislation would require takeout food stores to provide plastic utensils and other items in a food order only upon the request of a customer, unlike now where a bunch of unwanted and unneeded utensils is typically included.

This is not a trivial issue. Each year, Americans throw away over 40 billion pieces, enough plastic utensils that if put end-to-end would wrap around the planet hundreds of times.

Reducing plastic waste at the source, like utensils, helps prevent those same plastics from breaking down into particles.

New Jersey recently passed this important waste reduction measure. New York needs to follow suit to address the scourge that plastics pose.

— John Turner, Setauket

The writer is the senior conservation policy advocate for Seatuck Environmental Association.

I was struck by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s claim that he “can’t think of an issue that hits closer to home for American families than the safety of their drinking water.” Those are admirable words, but they ring hollow alongside his actions.

Under Zeldin, the Environmental Protection Agency has declined to regulate its own 2022 list of candidate contaminants. Furthermore, his EPA is actively working to roll back the Biden administration PFAS drinking water limits — protections put in place specifically because these “forever chemicals” have been linked to cancer, immune disorders, and developmental harm.

When a public official’s words and actions point in opposite directions this often, it is mere lip service. Long Island families deserve leadership that actually protects their drinking water, not just talks about it.

— Michael Scaturro, Garden City

Criticism of Trump deserves blowback

I had myself quite the chuckle reading the letter regarding Michael Wasserman’s flags and ensuing lawsuit lost by the City of Long Beach [“Outrage over flag dispute,” Opinion, May 8].

Those of us on the right — we’re called that for a reason, you know — have to listen to the daily lies and vitriol directed at President Donald Trump from the mainstream media, which I only watch so I can hear what the other side is saying.

Unlike the left, I want both sides of the story. My 90-year-old mother, who lives in Long Beach, travels past Wasserman’s house at least once a week, and it gives her hope. After the last election, most Long Islanders apparently agree with my mother and me.

— Rich Benevent, Lynbrook

A true paradise is planting native

While I think the backyards of everyone presented in the article “Their slice of paradise” [LI Life, May 3] are beautiful, by highlighting them we are encouraging the use of non-native plants. Tracey Morgan mentions that cranes, egrets, herons, ducks, and turtles are frequent visitors to his garden.

Visitors are all they can ever be because his garden, like all of the others, offers very little for native wildlife. Long Island wildlife faces massive challenges to survive. Let’s not make it more difficult for them.

— Ray Ann Havasy, Port Washington

I’m given freedom to appreciate weeds

Michael Dobie’s column reinforced my new attitude toward landscaping [“Hail the wild child, free spirit of plants,” Opinion, May 10].

I had a large lawn in front of my home that looked like a traditional green pasture for many years. I was lured into improving my septic system about seven years ago. The upgrade was supposed to involve little to no cost. It ended up costing much more than I imagined, but the other major loss was my lawn.

Massive equipment rolled onto the lawn and I was left with brown soil. I was able to get reimbursed for the cost of seeds and the equipment rental for planting.

The idea of native plants became an alternative. It turns out that weeds have joined the terrain and I have transitioned to accepting their presence. I have admiration for their resilience.

Weeds are essential, and characterizing them as the wild child who observes no boundaries like free spirits is liberating. The lawn may not be a lush carpet but understanding that weeds do not conform and they are persistent against all odds lifts my spirits.

Weeds act as a reminder that we can remain defiant and be survivors no matter what life brings. My eyes appreciate them more than I imagined.

— Steven A. Ludsin, East Hampton