September 5, 2011 Commissioner Daniel C. Esty Department of Energy and Environmental Protection 79 Elm Street Hartford, CT 06106 Dear Commissioner Esty, We are writing in support of the proposed New Britain-Hartford Busway and specifically in regard to the inland wetland permit submitted to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection by the Department of Transportation. Based on a review of the materials included in DOT's inland wetland permit application, it appears that the project strikes the appropriate balance between protecting the wetlands and allowing construction of the New Britain-Hartford Busway. Moreover, with the completion of the Busway, much of the 2 acres of impacted wetlands will be replaced by an extensive mitigation plan that will create a contiguous 8.8-acre system of new or enhanced wetlands. Furthermore, this Bus Rapid Transit system will result in other significant environmental benefits for our state. The New Britain-Hartford Busway will:
Sincerely, Lori Brown, Executive Director, Connecticut League of Conservation Voters Don Strait, Executive Director, Connecticut Fund for the Environment Karen Burnaska, Coordinator, Transit for Connecticut Tom Colligan, Interim Executive Director, Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice Cheryl Dunson, President, League of Women Voters of Connecticut David Kooris, Vice President, Regional Plan Association Ryan Lynch, Connecticut Coordinator, Tri-State Transportation Campaign Senator Steve Cassano, 4th District Senator Terry Gerratana, 6th District Senator Ed Meyer, 12th District Representative Tim O'Brien, 24th District Representative Robert Sanchez, 25th District Pedro E. Segarra. Mayor, City of Hartford Timothy T. Stewart, Mayor, City of New Britain Mary Glassman, First Selectman, Town of Simsbury and Chair, Capitol Region Council of Governments Gerry Amodio, Executive Director, New Britain Downtown District Carolle Andrews, Chief Administrative Officer, University of Connecticut Health Center Oz Griebel, President, MetroHartford Alliance Avner Krohn, President, Jasko Development Jack Miller, Presiden, Central Connecticut State University William Millerick, President, New Britain Chamber of Commerce Mary Tomolonius, Executive Director, Connecticut Association for Community Transportation LWVCT joined with a broad coalition of 27 signatories from entities representing everything from CCSU to developers, chambers of commerce, the League of Women Voters, labor and environmental groups, who took note of the Bond Commission’s recent decision to release funding to get the Hartford-New Britain bus rapid transit project. The coalition’s thank you letter to Governor Malloy appears below. ---------- May 2, 2011 The Honorable Dannel P. Malloy Governor, State of Connecticut State Capitol Hartford, CT 06106 Dear Governor Malloy, Please accept our thanks and appreciation for your steadfast support and leadership of the New Britain/Hartford Busway project. We believe that the New Britain/Hartford Busway project represents the future for both Connecticut’s economy and transportation infrastructure. The benefits of investing in the Busway are multifold for the state. The construction of the Busway will generate thousands of construction and associated jobs; millions of dollars to be invested in transit-oriented development projects surrounding the Busway will create new jobs and business opportunities; the Busway will offer congestion-free travel to transit riders and help decrease traffic on the most congested part of I-84; and harmful carbon emissions will be decreased. We commend you for your leadership and support and thank the Bond Commission for releasing the funds needed for the Busway to proceed. If you have any questions please contact Karen Burnaska, Transit for Connecticut or Lyle Wray, Capitol Region Council of Governments. We look forward to working with you as the Busway becomes a reality. Sincerely, Tim O’Brien, State Representative, New Britain and Newington Pedro E. Segarra, Mayor, City of Hartford Timothy T. Stewart, Mayor, City of New Britain Scott McBride, Deputy Mayor, Town of Newington Lyle Wray, Executive Director, Capitol Region Council of Governments Gerry Amodio, Executive Director, New Britain Downtown District Lori Brown, Executive Director, CT League of Conservation Voters Karen Burnaska, Coordinator, Transit for Connecticut Tom Colligan, Interim Executive Director, CT Coalition for Environmental Justice Cheryl Dunson, President, League of Women Voters of CT Oz Griebel, President, MetroHartford Alliance David Kooris, Vice President, Regional Plan Association Avner Krohn, President, Jasko Development Charles LeChonce, Business Manager, CT Laborers District Council Ryan Lynch, Connecticut Coordinator, Tri-State Transportation Campaign Jeffrey Merrow, Business Manager, Laborers Local 611 Jack Miller, President, Central Connecticut State University William F. Millerick, President, New Britain Chamber of Commerce Don Strait, Executive Director, CT Fund for the Environment Mary Tomolonius, Executive Director, CT Assoc for Community Transportation City of Hartford Neighborhood Revitalization Zones: Bernadine Silvers and Jackie McKinney, Co-Chairs, Board of Directors, Hartford 2000, Inc. David Corrigan, Chair, Frog Hollow NRZ Donna Thompson Daniels, President, Blue Hills NRZ Lynn Ferrari, President, Hartford’s CSS/CON NRZ Brandon McGee, Vice President, Northeast NRZ David Morin, Secretary, Parkville Revitalization Association Tomas Nenortas, Chair, South Downtown NRZ | Advocacy:
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