How We Protect the Quinnipiac River and Its Watershed

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ARE YOU A FRIEND OF RIVERS?
Streamflow regulations, which would set minimum flow standards to keep river life alive, are under severe attack by others who use river and aquifer (underground) water that connects to and replenishes rivers. If you believe rivers need a share of this public water, CT DEP needs to hear from you!

Written comments on the proposed regulations may be submitted by February 4th, 2010 to:

Paul E. Stacey
Department of Environmental Protection 
Bureau of Water Protection & Land Reuse
Planning & Standards Division
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-5127

Points to make:

• support the regulations—the first scientific attempt to regulate stream flow in 40 years! 
• however, DEP should not condemn any river to die—proposed Class 4 would offer no minimum protection to certain "unredeemable" rivers.  The Quinnipiac, its tributaries and other urban rivers are at risk of this classification.  No river left behind! 
• rivers and river life, as well as river recreation, are legitimate uses of river water along with drinking water, industry, and agriculture.  There is enough rainfall in CT (45"/year) for all users to share, if managed wisely. 
• aquifers (areas of groundwater) are intimately connected to rivers—DEP must therefore regulate groundwater as well as surface water, or rivers will be sucked dry.