Sen. Witkos Says Watershed Grants will Benefit Local Communities

State Senator Kevin Witkos, R-Canton,
today is praising a court ruling that will assist local
communities in the Farmington River Watershed. Gov.
M. Jodi Rell yesterday announced that as a result of
settlements made by two companies – Tyco and Hamilton
Sundstrand – over $758,000 has been made available
for environmental improvement projects in the region.
The settlement stems from the violation of clean water
laws that threatened environmental damage to the river
and its watershed. Sen. Witkos said that the grant will
be divided among 14 towns, eight of which are located
within the 8th Senatorial District.

“The watershed is a treasured resource and one
that makes our region so special,” said
Sen. Witkos. “From its aesthetic beauty
to its recreational benefits, the Farmington River area
is something that people from all over come to see and
enjoy. Putting this money back into the watershed for
environmental improvements and cleanup is the right
thing to do and I am very pleased that it has been made
available.”

According to the Governor’s office, stream bank
stabilization and the eradication of invasive plant
species along the Farmington River in Simsbury will
be commenced. 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.

“This is one of those instances where something
good is coming out of something that shouldn’t
have happened to begin with,” said Sen.
Witkos. “This is why we have the laws
we do to protect the environment and resources like
the watershed.”

The following are the local projects that will receive
funding under the Farmington River Enhancement Grant.

• Avon – $50,000 Low Impact
Development Design Guidelines and/or Regulations

• Barkhamsted – $44,305 Update
Town Zoning Regulations
• Canton – $100,000 Feasibility
study for removal of sediment from the Upper Collinsville
Mill Pond
• Colebrook – $35,000 Land Use
Regulation and Municipal Ordinance Revisions

• Harwinton – $35,000 Land Use
Regulation and Municipal Ordinance Revisions
• New Hartford – $47,100 Incorporation
of LID Practices into Land Use Regulations
• Simsbury – $75,000 Stream Bank
Stabilization and Eradication of Invasive Plant Species
and Evaluation of Engineering Alternatives for Zoning
and Planning Land Use Regulations for LID/Density Development
Near Farmington River

• Torrington – $25,000 Second
Tier LID Review of Torrington Regulations