The existing New York State Division of Environmental Conservation Bureau of Marine Resources Shellfisheries Laboratory was currently undersized. This proposed facility would house the 4 research units and MEU while allowing the increased demand of services to continue as the primary lab and offices for New York State. This lab is required to run 24 hours a day with no interruption to equipment even though it will not be staffed 24 hours a day. This lab is currently an FDA certified lab (the only one in New York State) and is a requirement in order to sell finfish and shellfish in the 1.2 million acre catchment area. The BMR also holds the primary role of establishing day to day guidelines for fishing policy in the catchment areas, issuing permits, storing department equipment used at this site and the Long Island/lower Hudson areas as well as citizen outreach to Long Island and other eastern US areas.