State rivers eligible for federal funds

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Tuesday approved legislation to designate portions of three New England rivers as “wild and scenic” — including two in Connecticut.

The protective designations make the rivers eligible for up to $100,000 a year in federal funds for conservation purposes.

The bill, which was approved 92-8, would also permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund that is used to support national parks and public lands.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., praised passage of the bill that included wild and scenic designations for the lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook and the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed. The third designation was for the Nashua River in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

“This is a big win for Connecticut and a testament to good old-fashioned Yankee persistence,” said Murphy, who noted that he has worked on getting the designation for the Farmington River since first being elected to Congress as a member of the House.

The Senate voted in favor of the designation in 2016 but that bill was not approved by the House.

Murphy also credited Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. John Larson and former Rep. Elizabeth Esty with helping to win support for the designation.

The bill now goes to the House for its consideration.