The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection is proposing Stream Flow Standards and Regulations in response to PA 05-142, enacted in 2005. This statute directed DEP to develop regulations, which would expand the coverage of the stream flow standards and regulations to include all rivers and streams, rather than only those stocked with fish, as was the case previously.  The statute further directed DEP to develop standards that balance the needs of humans to use water for water supply, fire protection, irrigation, manufacturing, and recreation, with the needs of fish and wildlife, that also rely upon the availability of water to sustain healthy natural communities.

 

Highlights of the proposed Stream Flow Standards and Regulations include:

• Classification of all rivers and streams in Connecticut with public input,
• Use of best science to provide a framework based on the classification of all rivers and streams to balance the human needs for water supply, fire protection, irrigation, manufacturing, and recreation with the needs of fish and wildlife, that also rely upon the availability of water to sustain healthy, natural communities,
• An extended implementation timeframe for regulatory requirements to allow for any necessary infrastructure improvements and to encourage and support water planning and conservation efforts.

In short, the proposed Stream Flow Standards and Regulations are protective of Connecticut's river and stream systems, and promote better, more efficient management of our water resources and supplies, so that needs, both human and ecological, can be met today and in the future.

 

Progress on Regulation Development

 

Thus far CT DEP has:

These documents are available below.  Submission of the revised regulations to the Legislative Regulation Review Committee is anticipated in early September, 2010.

 

 

Notice of Availability (PDF) (August 17, 2010)

 

Summary of the Major Revisions to the Regulations in Response to Comments (PDF) (August 17, 2010) 

 

Final Proposed Regulations, (PDF) (August 16, 2010)

 

Hearing Report, (PDF) (August 16, 2010)

 

Revised Table Summary of Stream Flow Regulations (PDF) (August 17, 2010)

 

Questions and Answers About the Proposed Streamflow Regulations (PDF) (August 17, 2010)

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Regional Regression Equations to Estimate Flow-Duration Statistics at Ungaged Stream Sites in Connecticut," U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5052, by Elizabeth A. Ahearn. 

 

 

Stream Flow: The Next Two Decades (PDF) (January 29, 2009)

 

Balancing Water Use for Future Generations (PDF) (October 13, 2009)

 

Stream Flow Proposal Timeline (PDF) (October 13, 2009)

 

Guidelines for Evaluating Streamflow Depletion from Groundwater Withdrawals (PDF) (December 17, 2009) Groundwater withdrawals do not necessarily impact nearby streamflow at a rate equivalent to the well withdrawal rate.  Although directly connected, a number of factors influence where along the stream, when, and by how much streamflow will be reduced by pumping groundwater.  These draft guidelines were developed to assist water users in evaluating how their individual groundwater withdrawal impacts streamflow.