DEP: Flow Standards
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Connecticut 375th Annniversary 1635-2010

 
 
Department of
Environmental Protection
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-5127
 
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(860) 424-3000
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Proposed Stream Flow Standards and Regulations
Revised August 17, 2010
 
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:
  • Initiated a stakeholder process through 3 workgroups (Science & Technical Workgroup; Policy & Implementation Workgroup; and Commissioner’s Advisory Group) that developed the framework of the regulations over a 3 ½ year period;
  • Drafted proposed Stream Flow Standards and Regulations;
  • On October 13, 2009, issued a Public Notice of Intent to Adopt Regulations and to Hold a Public Hearing;
  • Provided numerous public information meetings from October 13, 2009 – January 21, 2010;
  • Held a public hearing on January 21, 2010. The public comment period was held open until February 4, 2010.  68 individuals provided oral testimony and 380 provided written comment.
  • The extensive public comment has been taken into consideration, and revisions were made to the proposed regulations.
  • The revised regulations were submitted to the Attorney General for a legal sufficiency review,
  • A Notice of Availability of the revised regulation and the hearing report was issued on August 17, 2010.  The hearing report contains a statement of the principal reasons in support of the Department’s action, and the principal considerations in opposition to the Department’s intended action as urged in written or oral comments on the proposed regulation and its reasons for rejecting such considerations.
These documents are available below.  Submission of the revised regulations to the Legislative Regulation Review Committee is anticipated in early September, 2010.
 
Post-Hearing Regulatory Process Documents NEW
 
Notice of Availability (PDF) (August 17, 2010)
 
 
Final Proposed Regulations, (PDF) (August 16, 2010)
 
Hearing Report, (PDF) (August 16, 2010)
 
 
 
Pre-Hearing Regulatory Process Documents
 
 
 
 
Data Links NEW
 
"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. 
 
Background Documents
 
Stream Flow: The Next Two Decades (PDF) (January 29, 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.
 
Comments Received on Proposed Regulations
 

Proposed Stream Flow Standards and Regulations

EX. #

Exhibits and Comments Received from: 

1 CT DEP Public Notice: Intent to Hold Public Hearing
2 CT DEP Authorization to Hold Public Hearing
3 CT DEP Draft Streamflow Regulations Error
4 CT DEP Fiscal Estimate of Proposed Regulations
5 CT DEP Small Business Impact and Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
6 CT OPM Approval of Proposed Regulations
7 CT OPM Approval of Proposed Regulations
8 CT DEP Notification to CT Legislature Environment Committee of Notice of Intent to Adopt Regulations
9 CT DEP Advance Notice to CT Legislature Environment Committee of Regulation-Making Proceedings
10a CT DEP Notification to Connecticut Conference of Municipalities of Notice of Intent to Adopt Regulations
10b CT DEP Notification to Conference of Small Towns of Notice of Intent to Adopt Regulations
10c CT DEP Notification to Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetland Commissioners of Notice of Intent to Adopt Regulations
10d CT DEP Notification to Streamflow Standards and Regulations Advisory Group of Notice of Intent to Adopt Regulations
10e CT DEP Notification to Municipal Utilities of Notice of Intent to Adopt Regulations
11 Town Of Franklin, First Selectman
12 Joe Schnerlein, Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
13 Lynne and Walter Turnquist
14 City of Waterbury, Bureau of Water
15 Charles N. Reluga
16 Valley Water Systems Inc., President
17 Town of Colchester, Board of Finance Chairman
18 Town of Colchester, First Selectman
19 Kathleen G. Bradley
20 Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments
21 Town of Portland, First Selectman
22 Housatonic Valley Association, Executive Director
23 The Nature Conservancy, Director Eastern US Freshwater Program
24 Southeastern Connecticut Water Authority
25 Roald Haestad Inc., Vice President
26 The Avon Water Company, President 
27 Aquarion, Director of Water Quality and Environmental Management
28 Leggette, Brashears, and Graham, Kenneth Taylor and Jeffrey Lennox
29 The Torrington Country Club Inc., Superintendent
30 City of Danbury, Superintendent of Public Utilities
31 Groton Open Space Association, President
32 CT Department of Agriculture, Commissioner
33 The Metropolitan District Commission
34 Michael Korby
35 CT DEP Draft Streamflow Regulations
36 CT Department of Public Health
37 South Central Regional Water Authority, Consumer Affairs Officer
38 South Central Regional Water Authority
39 Connecticut Green Industries Coalition, Executive Director
40 John Millington
41 Joan S. Talbot, Elaine Pratt, Stuart Daly, Jim Rogers,
42 Rivers Alliance of Connecticut
43 Claire C. Bennitt
44 Town of East Hampton, WPCA, Public Utilities Administrator
45 Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Director of Government Affairs
46 Robert Fromer
47 Susan Jackson
48 Dr. Vincent Marottoli
49 Dave Sloane
50 Ella Calcote
51 Patricia Lindgren
52 George Zipparo
53 Squeek Zipparo
54 Commenter's name redacted, available upon request.
55 Carol Borsari
56 Home Builders Association of Connecticut, C.E.O.
57 Nancy J. Eaton
58 Elsa Peterson Obuchowski
59 Town of Bethel, First Selectman
60 Martha Phillips
61 Barbara Backman
62 Nick Mougey
63 Country Club of Farmington, Superintendent
64 Mark, Maureen, and Maddy Abrahamson
65 Mechanical Contractors of Connecticut, Vice President
66 Town of Colchester, Public Works Director
67 John L. Smith
68 Carol Goertz
69 James Brideau
70 Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited, VP
71 Tower Ridge Country Club, Head Superintendent
72 City of Waterbury, Assistant Superintendent of Water
73 Clarence O. Peterson
74 Halloran and Sage LLP, Ann Catino
75 Glen M. Gammill
76 Woodridge Lake Property Owner's Association, President
77 Donna L. Albanese-Funk
78 John D. Nelson
79 Mattabeseck Audubon Society, Conservation Chairman
80 Robert D. Kranyik
81 Remo A. Mondazzi
82 Edward A. McQuat
83 Robert Pagini
84 Laurie Klein
85 Lisa Kareszi
86 Allen A. Horner
87 Ronald A. Graziana
88 Farmington Valley Trout Unlimited, Treasurer
89 Bill Geils
90 Paul and Sandra Stetson
91 Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited, Secretary
92 Dwight Stetson
93 Representative Linda Orange, Deputy Speaker of the House
94 Council of Small Towns, Executive Director
95 Roald Haestad, Vice President
96 Thomas Nissley
97 Farmington Valley Trout Unlimited, President
98 Hop Meadow Country Club, Superintendent
99 Farmington Valley Trout Unlimited, Director
100 Manufacturing Alliance of Connecticut, President
101 Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited, Director
102 Independent Electrical Contractors of New England
103 Colchester Business Association, President
104 Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, President
105 Jewett City Water Company
106 Wallingford Land Trust, President
107 Michael J. Goodwin
108 Eight Mile River Wild and Scenic Coordinating Committee, Chairperson
109 Avalonia Land Conservancy, President
110 Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce President
111 Alan Kreczko
112 Gail A. Sangree
113 Kate Robinson
114 Roxbury Conservation Commission Chairperson
115 Washington Environmental Council, President
116 Town of Wallingford, Water Division, General Manager
117 The Pootatuck Club, Board of Managers
118 David L. Squier
119 Tony Adamski
120 John P. Manfred
121 North Haven First Selectman
122 Roger W. Alsbaugh
123 City of Ansonia, Mayor
124 Ski Sundown, President
125 Richard Case
126 Shepaug River Association, President
127 Town of East Lyme, First Selectman
128 Norwalk First Taxing District Water Company, Manager
129 Heritage Village Water Company, Vice President
130 Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, President
131 New Haven Regional Leadership Council, Chairman
132 Avon Water Company, President
133 Connecticut Water Company, President and CEO
134 Loureiro Engineering Associates
135 Connecticut Water Company, Vice President
136 Connecticut Water Company, Director Water Resources
137 Martha M. Smith
138 Margaret Sawyer
139 Carya Ecological Services
140 Nancy J. Potvin
141 Bishop's Orchards, Vice President
142 Quinnipiac Valley Audubon Society, President
143 Eric Eichorn
144 Annaita Gandhy
145 Donna Christian
146 Robert Butler
147 Sallie Herson and Mary McQuarrie
148 Keith Chrisman
149 Alison Murdock
150 Frank B. Hall
151 Quinnipiac River Watershed Association, Board Member
152 Tradition Golf Club of Wallingford, Superintendent
153 Connecticut River Watershed Council, Executive Director
154 Zoe Cummings Resch
155 Ed Edelson
156 Dave Sloane
157 Skip Short
158 Sharon Vocke
159 Marina Julian and David Kenny
160 Daniel Pelletier
161 Tim Ryan
162 Wilhelmina Smith
163 Ridgefield Conservation Commission
164 Deborah Wilson
165 James A. Woodworth
166 Walter Grant
167 Karen Peterson Mehra
168 James Lasek
169 Quinnipiac River Watershed Association, President
170 Kathryn R. Spindler
171 Joellen Anderson
172 Janis and Ronald Baker
173 Meriden Conservation Commission
174 Meriden Linear Trails Advisory Committee
175 Bernie Noonan
176 Stephen J. Curry
177 Charles Gagliardi
178 Frank Wilson
179 Elizabeth Jones
180 Julie Hutten
181 Cheryl Kapelner-Champ
182 Mr. and Mrs. Rob MacGregor
183 JoAnne Grabinski
184 John J. Montgomery
185 Elizabeth Kielbasinski
186 Richard Carter
187 William Revill
188 Town of Washington, First Selectman
189 Megan Ambrose
190 Breina Schain
191 Deborah A. Bennett
192 Leonard Engel
193 Hammonasset Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Treasurer
194 Victoria Usher
195 Jeffrey Adams
196 Joseph Zaborowski
197 Debra Mason
198 Roger L. Kemp
199 Shennecossett Golf Course, Superintendent
200 New Haven City Plan Department
201 David Fairman
202 Roger Willcox
203 Wendy and Richard Harper
204 Richard Venable
205 Merle and Elaine Ainsworth
206 Marcus Tilton
207 Town of Newtown, Conservation, Inland Wetlands, and Planning and Land Use Chairpersons/Director
208 Catherine Rawson
209 Dominic Gillen
210 Pootatuck Watershed Association, President
211 Willimantic River Alliance, Vice President
212 The Nature Conservancy, Director: Eastern Freshwater Program
213 Farmington River Watershed Association, Executive Director
214 Redding Country Club, Superintendent
215 Norwalk River Watershed Association, President
216 William W. Hixson
217 Richard A. Wingate
218 Luella Landis
219 Jeffrey Luff
220 John Blake
221 Steep Rock Association, Executive Director
222 Tammy Casey
223 Phillipe Fontaine
224 Peter and Sissy Aron
225 Hamden Natural Resources and Open Space Commission, Chairman
226 Connecticut Association of Realtors, President
227 Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents, President
228 Kevin Karl
229 Dwight L. Needels
230 Kate and Dave Rauch
231 Eleanor Fischer
232 Scott Lehmann
233 Kristen Richardson
234 William Niland
235 Muriel Garvey
236 Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition
237 C. Thomas Paul
238 Melissa Leonard
239 Ann Watkins
240 New London Country Club
241 Shimon Anisfeld
242 Roberta Paro
243 John Strillacci
244 Karen A. Schnitzer
245 Carole Golitko
246 Scott Simpson
247 Jamie Jones
248 Six residents of Roxbury and Washington
249 Carmen Torres Salgado
250 Jack Clancy
251 Kristin Wolfe
252 Judy and Barry Goldfarb
253 Theresa Long
254 Suffield Country Club, Superintendent
255 Laura di Bonaventura
256 Vincent Brancato
257 Connecticut Water, President and CEO
258 William Godburn
259 Linsey Hartenstein
260 Jose P. Treggor
261 Manchester Water and Sewer Department, Administrator
262 Ann Bogucki
263 Watertown Golf Club, Superintendent
264 Judi Mandl
265 Caitlin Capistran
266 Town of East Haven, Mayor
267 Linda Campbell
268 Torrington Water Company, President
269 Town of Guilford, First Selectman
270 Robert Hohman
271 Frederick M. Gregory
272 Louise Fabrykiewicz
273 The Stanwich Club, Property Manager
274 Margaret Holton
275 Housatonic Valley Association, Executive Director and Water Protection Manager
276 Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel
277 Southington Water Department, Superintendent
278 Joseph Polka
279 Connecticut Sierra Club, Legislative Chair
280 Groton Open Space Association
281 Town of Wallingford, Public Utilities Director
282 League of Women Voters, Vice President
283 Greater Norwich Chamber of Commerce, Chairman
284 Norwich Public Utilities, General Manager
285 Town of Madison, First Selectman
286 Town of North Branford, Town Manager
287 Rivers Alliance of Connecticut
288 CME Associates, Director
289 Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Commissioner
290 Fred Camillo, State Representative
291 Blue Fox Run Golf Club, Superintendent
292 Park River Watershed Revitalization Initiative
293 Suffield Country Club, Superintendent
294 Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents, President
295 Connecticut Business and Industry Association, Associate Counsel
296 Aquarion, President and CEO
297 Connecticut Water Works Association, Executive Director
298 Connecticut Farm Bureau, President
299 Mary Mushinsky, State Representative
300 Peter and Mary Concklin
301 National Federation of Independent Business, State Director
302 City of Middletown Water and Sewer Department, Director
303 Metropolitan District Commission, Water Supply Manager *see note below 
304 Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetland Commissions, President
305 US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1, Surface Water Branch Chief
306 Connecticut Council of Environmental Quality, Executive Director
307 University of Connecticut, Environmental Policy Director
308 Connecticut Department of Public Health, Regulatory Services Branch Chief
309 Housatonic River Estuary Commission, Vice Chair
310 New Haven Land Trust, President
311 Connecticut Council on Soil and Water Conservation, Executive Director
312 City of Danbury, Department of Public Utilities
313 John Todd Miranowski
314 Hazardville Water Company, President
315 Ann Courcy
316 Pequabuck River Watershed Association, President
317 Wm. Biff Cuthbert
318
319 Christine Goldbach
320 Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District, Chairman
321 League of Women Voters of Connecticut, Vice President Public Issues
322 Brian Shugrue
323 Jean Ellen Trapani
324 Robert Dickinson
325 South Norwalk Electric and Water, Director of Operations
326 Albert Satton
327 Edward Scherer
328 Connecticut Construction Industries Association, President
329 Richard Stanley
330 Connecticut Fund for the Environment, Legal Fellow
331 Krista Borsari
332 Molly McKay
333 Gordan Kauffman
334 City of Milford, Mayor
335 Steven Nugent
336 Mary Sargent
337 James Buchanan
338 The Nature Conservancy, Director: Eastern Freshwater Program
339 Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents, President
340 Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Secretary
341 John H. Moorhead
342 Michael Gault
343 Bernard Krieger
344 William H. Morrissey
345 Matt Dumas
346 C. M. Vaughn
347 Trout in the Classroom, State Coordinator
348 Pat O'Meara
349 Jan F. Allardt
350 Trout Unlimited Connecticut Council, President
351 Cheryl Groesbeck
352 Ross H. Ogden
353 Peter Jennings
354 Nicholas Campofranco
355 Edward R. Thulin
356 G. Kinsey Lamb
357 Sterling G. McDevitt
358 Trout Unlimited Nutmeg Chapter, President
359 Gian-Andrea Morresi
360 Trout Unlimited Mianus Chapter, President
361 Tony Hill
362 Charles McCaughtry
363 John Awdziewicz
364 Roger C. Bullard
365 Merlin Schulze
366 Salvatore Campofranco
367 Dennis Ling
368 Carol Gregory
369 James E. Bacon
370 Richard A. Vacca
371 Cal Johnson
372 Ted Gardziel
373 Gerard Agoglia
374 Albert Jacques
375 Thomas Yates
376 Michael Owens
377 Milton Buchta
378 Trout Unlimited Thames Valley Chapter, President
379 Michael Law
380 Trout Unlimited Hammonasset Chapter, President
381 Town of Fairfield, Conservation Director
382 Woodard and Curran
383 Town of Woodstock, Town Planner
384 Department of Public Utility Control, Chairman and Vice Chairman
385 Eugene F. Quinn
386 Barbara Currier Bell
387 Town of Roxbury, First Selectman
388 City of West Haven, Mayor
389 Connecticut Botanical Society, President
390 Connecticut Forest and Park Association
391 Sigrun N. Gadwa
 
* note: exhibit #303 contains additional background information which is available for inspection by contacting CT DEP, Terrri Schnoor, at (860) 424-3707 or at terri.schnoor@ct.gov
 
 
Content Last Updated:  August 17, 2010







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