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STATE OF CONNECTICUT
EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106 |
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M. Jodi Rell
Governor |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2009
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Contact:
860-524-7313
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Governor Rell Announces Grants for 14
Communities in Farmington River Watershed
Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced $758,905 in grants for projects in 14 communities in the Farmington River Watershed. Funds for the grants are available as the result of court settlements involving two companies – Tyco and Hamilton Sundstrand – involving violations of clean water laws and environmental damage to the river and its watershed.
“These funds will improve water quality, restore aquatic life, improve public access to the river for recreation and strengthen local land use planning,” Governor Rell said. “As an added benefit, some of the projects will create much-needed jobs for our residents.”
The projects range from stream bank stabilization and eradication of invasive plant species along the Farmington River in Simsbury to the design of two fish passage structures at existing dams in Bloomfield, East Granby and Farmington. Municipal planning grants are also being awarded to 10 communities that will work to revise their land use ordinances to incorporate more environmentally sound practices.
“The Farmington River was subject to environmental damage that occurred as a result of violations of our laws,” Governor Rell said. “These funds will be put to good use within the communities that were impacted to help enhance this beautiful river and its natural resources. This is consistent with the goals of my Responsible Growth program, since preserving and enhancing this river and its watershed will also protect the natural charm and scenic beauty of our state.”
Ten communities in the watershed will receive grants to review and revise current land use ordinances to encourage the use of Low Impact Development (LID) techniques. LID techniques can promote environmentally sensitive land use by minimizing impacts from stormwater runoff and promote the protection of vegetated areas.
The 16 projects funded under the Farmington River Enhancement Grant initiative include:
FARMINGTON RIVER ENHANCEMENT GRANTS
2009 GRANT RECIPIENTS
FISH HABITAT ENHANCEMENT
GRANT RECIPIENT |
LOCATION |
PROJECT |
AMOUNT |
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Farmington River Watershed Association |
Bloomfield East Granby |
Design of Fish Passage at Spoonville Dam, Bloomfield/East Granby: An engineering study to determine the feasibility of modifying and/or removing the remnants of the Spoonville Dam on the Farmington River to allow fish passage for anadromous fish such as American shad, alewife and blueback herring, and to enhance the site’s qualities for canoeing and kayaking. |
$55,250.00 |
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Farmington River Watershed Association |
Farmington |
Design of Fish Passage at Winchell-Smith Dam, Farmington: An engineering study in collaboration with the Town of Farmington to produce alternatives to dam removal that would improve anadromous fish passage for American shad, alewife and blueback herring, and maintain the site quality for canoeing and kayaking with emphasis on the installation of a semi-natural channel around the Winchell-Smith Dam on the Farmington River. |
$55,250.00 |
DAM REMOVAL
GRANT RECIPIENT |
LOCATION |
PROJECT |
AMOUNT |
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Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency |
Bristol |
Pequabuck Alternatives Analysis Report: A feasibility study to evaluate various options for removal of impediments to fish passage in the vicinity for the Middle Street Dam on the Pequabuck River in Bristol. |
$100,000.00 |
SEDIMENT REMOVAL
GRANT RECIPIENT |
LOCATION |
PROJECT |
AMOUNT |
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Canton, Town of |
Canton |
Upper Collinsville Mill Pond Master Plan: A feasibility study for removal of sediment from the Upper Collinsville Mill Pond located upstream of the Upper Collins Company Dam on the Farmington River for restoration of recreational, aesthetic, economic, historical and ecological value of this portion of the Farmington River and to provide a master plan for restoration activities. |
$100,000.00 |
STREAM BANK STABILIZATION
GRANT RECIPIENT |
LOCATION |
PROJECT |
AMOUNT |
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Farmington Land Trust, Inc. |
Farmington |
Handicapped Fishing Pier Stabilization Project: Construction of a concrete cap over an existing stone and compacted stone dust fishing pier located in the Unionville section of the Farmington River to prevent significant annual erosion of stone entering the river and to provide improved handicapped accessible fishing opportunities for the general public. |
$15,000.00 |
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Simsbury, Town of |
Simsbury |
Stream Bank Stabilization and Eradication of Invasive Plant Species: Stabilization of approximately 47 linear feet of eroding riverfront at Sycamore Park located adjacent to the Farmington River to stabilize the shoreline, remove non-native invasive plants from the site, prevent ongoing erosion due to impact from stormwater runoff, and stabilize an informal launch area for hand-carry vessels such as canoes and kayaks. |
$50,000.00 |
MUNICIPAL LAND USE EVALUATION (LID): The following projects are being conducted by municipalities within the Farmington River Watershed to review and analyze current land use ordinances to identify barriers to Low Impact Development (LID) techniques, and to revise the applicable land use ordinances to remove such barriers and to provide incentives, where possible, for incorporating LID into municipal regulations, zoning, and subdivision approvals, and revising applicable municipal Plans of Conservation and Development.
GRANT RECIPIENT |
LOCATION |
PROJECT |
AMOUNT |
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Avon, Town of |
Avon |
Low Impact Development Design Guidelines and/or Regulations |
$50,000.00 |
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Barkhamsted, Town of |
Barkhamsted |
Update Barkhamsted Zoning Regulations |
$44,305.00 |
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Colebrook, Town of |
Colebrook |
Colebrook Land Use Regulation and Municipal Ordinance Revisions |
$35,000.00 |
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East Granby, Town of |
East Granby |
Low Impact Development Design Guidelines and/or Regulations |
$37,000.00 |
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Harwinton, Town of |
Harwinton |
Harwinton Land Use Regulation and Municipal Ordinance Revisions |
$35,000.00 |
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New Hartford, Town of |
New Hartford |
Incorporation of LID Practices into Land Use Regulations |
$47,100.00 |
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Plainville, Town of |
Plainville |
Plainville Municipal Land Use Evaluation Project 2009-2010 |
$50,000.00 |
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Simsbury, Town of |
Simsbury |
Evaluation of Engineering Alternatives for Zoning and Planning Land Use Regulations for LID/Density Development Near Farmington River |
$25,000.00 |
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Torrington, City of |
Torrington |
Second Tier LID Review of Torrington Regulations |
$25,000.00 |
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Winchester, Town of |
Winchester |
Winchester Land Use Review and Design Standards |
$35,000.00 |
Total Funded Projects – 16
Total Amount Awarded - $758,905.00
If you have any questions or would like more information about any of the projects listed above, please contact Kate Hughes Brown, Long Island Sound Fund Coordinator, at (860) 424-3652.
Content Last Modified on 4/1/2009 5:28:55 PM
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