You did it - Mining Law Repealed! 9/20/07
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I was out of town for crucial vote and came back to find the happy news below from the League's coalition partner. I echo Margaret's appreciation to all of you who contacted legislators urging repeal of this law. It's heartening to see that working together we can "right wrongs."
Regards, Cheryl Dunson LWVCT VP Public Issues
To all who spoke out against rock-mining in Class I & II lands: Today the legislature repealed section 6 of PA 07-244, as you urged. This repeal (in HB 8006) killed the authorization to pursue commercial rock-mining on New Britain water company land in Plainville. The legislature did authorize the environmental study of the mining project to proceed, but there is no action tied to completion of the study (other than delivering it to the Public Health Committee). The legislators who led the way were Rep. Tim O'Brien and Sen. Don DeFronzo, both of New Britain (the town that initiated the project). Sen. DeFronzo also headed up the bonding package, which is strong on protections for water resources. And, of course, without the cooperation of Senate President Don Williams and House Speaker Jim Amman, the repeal would never have had a chance.
The coalition working this issue included Connecticut Fund for the Environment (Endangered Lands Coalition); Connecticut League of Conservation Voters; Connecticut League of Women Voters; Audubon Connecticut; Greenwich Conservation Commission; and Rivers Alliance of Connecticut.
Most important, hundreds of you reportedly contacted legislators. This was such an uphill struggle that, if we had been missing even one voice, the effort might have failed. Even within the last few days, people who were in a position to know assured me that there was no chance that repeal would be raised in this session. So it was a cliff-hanger.
This project will be back, and the issue will be back. Next year we will have to seriously consider reaffirming by statute the state's commitment to protecting drinking-water watershed lands. Meanwhile. Bravo! Margaret
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
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