GOP lawmakers congratulate Goshen, Winchester on DEEP water study grants

HARTFORD – State Sen. Clark Chapin (R-30) and State Rep. Jay Case (R-63) today congratulated two northwest Connecticut towns that were named recipients of Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) grants, which will help fund a diagnostic study for the towns’ aquatic plant life.

Goshen received $4,000 to study plant life in Dog Pond, Tyler Lake and Westside Pond and Winchester received $15,000 for a Highland Lake study. The GOP lawmakers were proponents of both proposals, sending letters of support to DEEP administrators.

“Controlling aquatic invasive species is central to healthy waterways and a healthy environment,” Rep. Case said. “This grant will help the towns of Goshen and Winchester study plant life and help combat anything that might disrupt the natural beauty of these bodies of water. Congratulations to town officials for their hard work in securing this funding.”

“It’s important that the state continue working with towns to help landowners and municipalities eradicate invasive plant problems and educate residents about maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems. We need to work together to protect our state’s many delicate and important natural habitats,” said Sen. Chapin.

This past legislative session, Sen. Chapin organized a panel of experts and conducted a forum at the Capitol to discuss specific problems caused by aquatic invasive species in Connecticut’s lakes and ponds. Along with Rep. Case, he garnered legislative support for plans to provide grants and educate people about preventing the spread of these species.

The grant application process was extremely competitive, according to officials at DEEP. Requests throughout Connecticut exceeded $295,000, although only $150,000 was available for disbursing.