Members celebrate state’s protective efforts

Contributed story

BRIDGEWATER — Included in the many items of new legislation to be passed in the final hours of the June 5 regular session was HB 6637: An Act Requiring An Invasive Species Stamp For The Operation Of A Motorboat On The Waters Of The State.

On behalf of its members across the state, the Connecticut Federation of Lakes celebrated the efforts of all involved in creating a sustainable source of funding to help with the battle against invasive aquatic species and cyanobacteria.

“At last Connecticut has a means of generating sustainable funding for this critical battle,” said Constance Trolle, president of the Connecticut Federal of Lakes and president of the Bantam Lake Protective Association. “Prior state programs were funded from the general budget and in the competition for funds the State programs have gone unfunded for years. As a result, the high expense of fighting invasives has fallen on local lake groups and municipalities.”

A survey of the CFL’s membership conducted in 2018 indicated that increased funding from the state to help fight invasives was their number one priority. Since then, the CFL and its members have worked with their legislators to make the issue known and show their support for an alternative solution.

If signed into law by Gov. Lamont, the bill will require an Invasive Species Stamp to be purchased when registering a motorboat in thesState. Connecticut residents will pay $5 and out-of-state residents an additional fee.

The movement of motorboats from one lake to another using the state boat launches is one of the ways in which invasive species spread. The new fee is predicted to generate revenues of $500,000 or more annually. The fees will be administered by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for purposes of fighting invasives. At least 80 percent of the funds generated must be applied to this purpose through grants and programs.

Trolle said, “When coupled with revenue from the sales of SAVE OUR LAKES license plates, which were approved by the General Assembly last year and will go into production in 2020, the state is creating a foundation for the sustainable funding needed to assist the local organizations who care for our lakes.”

On behalf of its membership, the Board of the CFL wishes to thank thank those legislators who supported the bill in this difficult budget year. These include:

Bill Co-Sponsors: Rep. David Arconti, 109th District, Rep. Kenneth M Gucker, 138th District, and Sen. Julie Kushner, 24th District; Rep. Emil "Buddy" Altobello, 82nd District; Rep. David Michel, 146th District; Sen. Norman Needleman, 33rd District; Rep. Christine Palm, 36th District; Rep. Arthur J. O'Neill, 69th District; Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan, 2nd District; Rep. Geraldo C. Reyes, 75th District; Rep. Livvy R. Floren, 149th District; Rep. Richard A. Smith, 108th District; Rep. Dorinda Borer, 115th District; Rep. Bob Godfrey, 110th District

The Connecticut General Assembly Environment Committee and their leadership including: Sen. Christine Cohen, Co-Chair, 12th District; Rep. Mike Demicco, Co-Chair, 21st District; Sen. Julie Kushner, Vice Chair, 24th District; Rep. Joseph Gresko, Vice Chair, 121st District; Sen. Craig Miner, Ranking Member, 30th District; and Rep. Stephen Harding, Ranking Member, 107th District.

Others who spread the word about this legislation and to support its adoption included Alicea Charamut, Rivers Alliance; Patrick Cummins, CT Audubon; John Elesser, Coventry Town Manager; Rob LaFrance, CT Audubon; Bill Lucey, Long Island Soundkeeper; and David Sutherland, The Nature Conservancy.

Learn more about the alliance at www.ctlakes.org