Rivers Alliance
Connecticut's United Voice for River Conservation

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   CT Watershed Conservation Network

"A river is the report card for its watershed." (Alan Levere, CT DEEP)

 

The Connecticut Watershed Conservation Network (CWC Network) is an environmental forum sponsored by Rivers Alliance of Connecticut. The Network brings together members of river and watershed groups, land trusts, conservation commissions, government agencies, and other stakeholders to identify ways we can improve our communication, share our organizational resources, and better coordinate our watershed protection efforts statewide.

We welcome all people and groups interested in watershed conservation in Connecticut. If you would like more information or wish to support us, please contact us at 860-361-9349 or e-mail to rivers@riversalliance.org. Services offered include e-mail news, conferences, special workshops, and answers to your conservation questions.

Please consider joining Rivers Alliance of Connecticut. RA is a nonprofit, statewide river conservation coalition. RA's members are individuals, organizations, and corporations concerned with the health and protection of Connecticut's waters.

Connecticut Watershed Conservation Network Conference

The Leir Retreat Center  | 220 Branchville Road | Ridgefield, CT 06877

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

STORMWATER!

It is not news that non-point source pollution has exceeded point source pollution as a major contributor of nutrients and other pollutants to our rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and Long Island Sound. Proper stormwater management is essential in curbing this trend. Climate change and aging infrastructure makes addressing this important issue even more challenging.

Where do we currently stand on stormwater management, what are the current hot topics and what might we expect to see in the upcoming legislative session? Join us to find out!

	AGENDA
	Welcome & Introductions, Intro to Stormwater Management – Why should we care so much? Alicea Charamut, Executive Director, Rivers Alliance of Connecticut. Click here for her presentation(s). Links: CT DEEP Stormwater, MS4 (Stormwater from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems) webpage,  State Water Plan (SWP) Section WP1-17 Stormwater Management, Uconn CLEAR NEMO MS4 Guide,
	Siting Solar Projects – Improvements have been made but is it enough? Peter Hearn, Executive Director – Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality. Click. here for his presentation Links: CEQ Comments, Energy Sprawl in Connecticut, PA 17-218 is the law (CGS 16-50k(a)) that requires review by DEEP and DOA.
	Sunlight and Rain – The #SmartSolar Initiative Deborah Moshier-Dunn, Vice President - Save the River-Save the Hills (STR-STH) . Click here for her presentation. Links: Comments to Siting Council, STR-STH opinion on solar stormwater issues,
	Announcement: CT League Conservation Voters (CTLCV) Education Fund's 2020 Environmental Summit will be Wednesday Jan 15 at Trinity College. More information will be posted here soon.
	Current Environmental Policy Issues & Information - PFAS Louis Rosado Burch, Connecticut Program Director – Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE). Click here for his presentation. Links: Draft PFAS Action Plan, comments from Rivers Alliance, CCE, Save the Sound, Farmington River Watershed Association "... at least 40 states have contaminated water sources from PFAS chemicals"
	Eastern Connecticut Stormwater Collaborative – Creating a forum for sharing ideas and resources to meet MS4 permit requirements Judy Rondeau, Assistant Director – Eastern Connecticut Conservation District. Click here for her presentation. Links: Eastern Connecticut Stormwater Collaborative October minutes,  Resources, Tools,
	Announcements: Petition for public hearing regarding power plant permits. Please fill out an evaluation after the conference.
	Current Environmental Policy Issues & Information Part II. Slides.  CT State Water Plan Implementation Update. Water Planning Council website. Colebrook Reservoir. Slides. Links: MDC Resolution, MDC Letter to Corps. DPH Select Connecticut Statutes and Regulations for the Protection of Public Drinking Water Sources 20 by 20 Update. Links: Rivers Alliance Comments,  Fall Update, Permitting Timeframes,
	Stormwater Utility Implementation Potential in Connecticut – What are stormwater utilities and how can they be implemented in Connecticut? Bill Lucey, Sound Keeper – Connecticut Fund for the Environment / Save The Sound. Click here for his presentation. Links: New London Stormwater webpage, News article: New stormwater authority tackles flooding in New London, Uconn CLEAR webinar on Stormwater Authorities in CT, CCM MS4 Compliance Service
	Legislative Preview Lori Brown, Executive Director – Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV), Links: CTLCV 2020 Priorities, 2019 Environmental Wins, 2019 Legislative Scorecard will be available soon. Jonathan Steinberg, Mary Mushinski
	Announcements & Closing Remarks.  Please check this conference webpage, send any corrections, suggestions for links, etc to webmaster@riversalliance.org. Thanks
	A very special thank-you to The Leir Retreat Center for hosting this event.