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Lake preservation bill gets mixed reviews during public hearing

A lake preservation bill got mixed reviews public hearing at the state capitol.  The bill, proposed by Brookfield state Representative Stephen Harding and Danbury Representative David Arconti, asks that Connecticut lake authorities receive financial assistance to fund efforts for combatting invasive plant and animal species.  Harding says this bill could benefit both Candlewood and Lillinonah.  The bill would distribute the funds from the Community Investment Account.  That account already funds grants to lake authorities to maintain water quality and native species of aquatic flora and fauna.

 

Connecticut Land Conservation Council Executive Director Amy Blaymore Patterson opposed taking money from that Account, calling it an already strained funding stream.  She says invasive species proliferation is a very serious problem, but urged lawmakers find other money for the cause.

 

She called stewardship and management is a critical element of land conservation, and a priority for CLCC.

 

Patterson said they are concerned about the slippery slope of adding a new program to the Community Investment Account.  She says the effectiveness of the Account would be diluted the point where it won't work any more.

 

One option Patterson suggested is allowing municipalities to institute a program, using a conveyance fee on buyers, to be used for stewardship.  There was an appropriation created by former state Senator Clark Chapin to battle invasives that could be used as a model, but recognizing the significant budget issues facing the state Patterson says it might not be feasible this year.

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Brian Kilmeade

Local Headlines