April 10, 2008

This action alert comes from our coalition partner Rivers Alliance. Please take action as outlined below. If you would like to see the League's testimony on this - other - bills, view our testimony on the Action Page of our website. Thank you for your help in protecting our state's environment.

Regards,

Cheryl Dunson

LWVCT VP

Dear Leaders and All Concerned with Wetlands Protection: Please consider giving a push to this great bill.

House Bill No. 5603 AN ACT CONCERNING ENHANCEMENTS TO THE INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES ACT

The bill clarifies and makes explicit the authority of local commissions to protect wetlands and watercourses. It is on its way to the Planning and Development Committee tomorrow and will be acted on probably early next week. If you like it, please contact the chairmen and others you may know on the Committee. If the bill gets through committee, it has a chance to be enacted this session.

Several recent court decisions have left wetlands commissioners in doubt whether the authority they thought they had really exists. This bill affirms in explicit language that 1) the state is committed to protecting wetlands and watercourses; 2) commissioners may take into account authoritative comments given by water companies, conservation districts, on-site observers, and so forth; 3) the burden of proof is on the applicant to show that the proposed project will not damage water resources, not on the commission to prove harm to state waters. Many of us believe this bill has the potential to improve wetlands protection in towns all over the state.

Here's the link to the text:

<http://www.cga. ct.gov/2008/ FC/2008HB- 05603-R000396- FC.htm>

http://www.cga. ct.gov/2008/ FC/2008HB- 05603-R000396- FC.htm

The bill is supported by the DEP, Connecticut Fund for the Environment, The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, Audubon Connecticut, CACIWC, Rivers Alliance, Audubon Connecticut, Tidewater Institute, and others. It is on the scorecard watch list of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters.

Nevertheless, there is a significant chance it may be killed in committee.

It is opposed by the very vocal Home Builders Association. Your voices are essential to the success of this bill.

Here's the contact info for the committee. Thanks for your time (and patience, I hope, with cross-postings) . MM at Rivers Alliance.

Planning & Development Committee

-Sen. Eric Coleman Co-Chair, Eric.Coleman@ cga.ct.gov, 860-240-5302, [2nd Sen District: Bloomfield, Hartford, Windsor]

-Rep. Art Feltman Co-Chair, Art.Fletman@ cga.ct.gov, 860-240-8525, [6th District: Hartford]

-Sen. Jonathan Harris Vice Chair, Harris@senatedems. ct.gov, 860-240-0498, [5th Sen District: West Hartford, Bloomfield, Burlington, Farmington]

-Rep. Jack F. Fennessy Vice Chair, Jack.Hennessy@ cga.ct.gov, 860-240-8585, 127th District: Bridgeport]

-Sen. Leonard Fasano Ranking Member, Len.Fasano@cga. ct.gov, 860-240-8806, [34th Sen District: East Haven, North Haven, Wallingford]

-Rep. Penny Bacchiochi Ranking Member, Penny.Bacchiochi@ housegop. ct.gov, 860-240-8700, [52nd District: Stafford, Somers, Union]

-Rep. William Aman, Bill.Aman@cga. ct.gov, 1-800-842-1423, [14th District: South Windsor]

-Rep. Andres Ayala, Andres.Ayala@ cga.ct.gov, 860-240-8585, [128th District: Bridgeport]

-Rep. Vincent Candelora (R), Vincent.Canelora@ housegop. ct.gov, 860-240-8700, [86th District: East Haven, Wallingford, North Branford]

-Rep. Tom Christiano, <mailto:Tom.Christiano@ cga.ct.gov> Tom.Christiano@ cga.ct.gov, 860-240-8585, [134th District: Fairfield, Trumbull]

-Rep. Thomas Drew, Thomas.Drew@ cga.ct.gov, 860-240-8585, [132nd District: Fairfield],

-Rep. William Dyson, William.Dyson@ cga.ct.gov, 860-240-8585, [94th District: New Haven]

-Rep. Gerald Fox, Gerald.Fox@cga. ct.gov, 860-240-8585, [146th District: Stamford],

-Rep. Mary Fritz, Mary.Fritz@cga. ct.gov, 860-240-8500, [90th District: Chesire, Wallingford] ,

-Rep. Linda Gentile, Linda.Gentile@ cga.ct.gov, 860-240-8585, [104th District: Ansonia, Derby],

-Rep. Craig Miner, Craig.Miner@ housegop. ct.gov, 1-800-842-1423, [66th District: Bethlehem, Litchfield, Morris, Warren, Woodbury]

-Rep.John Ryan, John.Ryan@housegop. ct.gov, 1-800-842-1423, [141st District: Darien, Norwalk]

-Rep. Brendan Sharkey, Brendan.Sharkey@ cga.ct.gov, 860-240-8585, [88th District: Hamden]

-Rep. Joseph Taborsak, Joseph.Taborsak@ cga.ct.gov, 860-240-8585, [109th District: Danbury]

-Rep. George Wilbur, George.Wilbur@ cga.ct.gov, 860-240-8585, [63rd District: Barkhamsted, Canaan, Colebrook, Hartland, Norfolk, North Canaan, Winchester]

Rivers Alliance of Connecticut

7 West Street

POB 1797

Litchfield, CT 06759

Tel: 860-3619349

Fax: 860-361-9341

Cell: 203-788-5161

Contacts:

Margaret Miner

Rose Guimaraes

Amanda Branson