Pick Up the Phone (TODAY) for River Buffers Bill

Unless P&D Committee Hears from You Today, Bill Won’t Make It Out of Committee

On Monday we told you about two big bills on the Planning & Development Committee's April 18 agenda that needed your help:  SB1 and SB 832.

Thanks to everyone who called or emailed, SB 1, An Act Concerning Connecticut's Energy Future, was voted favorably out of committee by a vote of 12-7 with two members absent and not voting.  Good work!

But incredibly, SB 832,  An Act Concerning the Protection of Inland Wetlands and Watercourses, was tabled at Monday's Planning & Development Committee meeting with many House Democrats still on the fence.

Although we were very disappointed, the committee chairs said if we can show them we have enough votes, they will call another meeting to vote on the bill. This must happen TODAY, Wednesday April 20,  because Thursday is the deadline for a vote, or the bill dies. 

Time is short.  Please call the following legislators TODAY and ask them to vote SB 832 out of the committee by Thursday's deadline.

• Senator Cassano, Co-Chair 1-800-842-1420
• Representative Gentile, Co-Chair 1-800-842-8267
• Senator Fasano, Ranking Member 1-800-842-1421
• Representative Aman, Ranking Member 860-240-8700 and
• Members
  • Rep. Rojas, 009 (East Hartford, Glastonbury, Manchester) 1-800-842-8267
  • Rep. Flexer, 044 (Killingly, Plainfield, Sterling) 1-800-842-8267
  • Rep. Fritz, 090 (Cheshire, Wallingford) 1-800-842-1902
  • Rep. Reynolds, 042 (Ledyard, Preston, Montville) 1-800-842-8267.

Need some talking points?  Here you go:

Natural riverfront vegetation protects against pollution and flooding. It is well-documented that naturally vegetated corridors along watercourses perform many functions that maintain environmental health and our quality of life. These functions include protecting water quality by:

• enhancing natural filtration;
• decreasing the impact of non-point source pollution, including excess nitrogen;
• controlling flooding by slowing flows and decreasing the volume of runoff, which helpsreduce potential property damage associated with flooding; and
• providing valuable wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.

Natural riverfront vegetation saves money. Retaining these corridors is cost-effective. Unlike traditional engineered solutions to stormwater, flood protection and filtering, there arevirtually no capital, operation, or maintenance costs associated with protecting natural vegetation.

Natural riverfont vegetation protects Long Island Sound, an economic asset for the entire state. Because Connecticut rivers ultimately flow into Long Island Sound, a vital economic resource for the state, targeting these areas for protection is critical.

Thanks to CFE for details in this message.