To Members of the Planning and Development Committee
The League of Women Voters of Connecticut, a statewide organization with nearly 2000 members, has a strong position in support of policies and programs that protect our state’s drinking water supplies and inland wetlands and watercourses. Based upon this longstanding position, the League urges your support for SB 832 AAC The Protection Of Certain Natural Vegetation Near Rivers.
SB 832 recognizes the substantial research findings that natural vegetation surrounding rivers and watercourses is a vital and cost-effective means to preserve water quality and reduce risks of flooding. Through the work of UCONN’s NEMO (Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials) project and others, it is well documented that water quality deterioration, flooding, negative impacts to plant, fish and other wildlife can occur any time activities disturb the land or water. Much of the remaining undeveloped land in Connecticut contains more wetlands and steep slopes than was typical in the past when we had more land to choose from. As we continue to develop this marginal land, the margin for error shrinks, and the community bears the cumulative costs of all the major and minor mistakes along the way.
As the OFA analysis of this bill notes, there is no fiscal impact. We believe that the establishment of uniform vegetative buffers is a scientifically based and cost-effective measure to protect and ensure the integrity of environmental assets critical to public health and safety.
Respectfully submitted,
LWVCT Drinking Water Specialist
Cheryl Dunson
The League of Women Voters of Connecticut, a statewide organization with nearly 2000 members, has a strong position in support of policies and programs that protect our state’s drinking water supplies and inland wetlands and watercourses. Based upon this longstanding position, the League urges your support for SB 832 AAC The Protection Of Certain Natural Vegetation Near Rivers.
SB 832 recognizes the substantial research findings that natural vegetation surrounding rivers and watercourses is a vital and cost-effective means to preserve water quality and reduce risks of flooding. Through the work of UCONN’s NEMO (Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials) project and others, it is well documented that water quality deterioration, flooding, negative impacts to plant, fish and other wildlife can occur any time activities disturb the land or water. Much of the remaining undeveloped land in Connecticut contains more wetlands and steep slopes than was typical in the past when we had more land to choose from. As we continue to develop this marginal land, the margin for error shrinks, and the community bears the cumulative costs of all the major and minor mistakes along the way.
As the OFA analysis of this bill notes, there is no fiscal impact. We believe that the establishment of uniform vegetative buffers is a scientifically based and cost-effective measure to protect and ensure the integrity of environmental assets critical to public health and safety.
Respectfully submitted,
LWVCT Drinking Water Specialist
Cheryl Dunson
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