COALITION OF CONNECTICUT SPORTSMEN

P.O. Box 2506, Hartford, CT 06146, (203) 245-8076

www.ctsportsmen.com

 

Testimony presented to the Environment Committee (3/11/02)

 

IN OPPOSITION to  (RAISED) ENVIRONMENT  H. B. 5664, AN ACT CONCERNING PUBLIC SAFETY AND RESOURCE PROTECTION AT CANDLEWOOD LAKE.

 

By Robert T. Crook, Director

 

The bill is Opposed on the basis that the DEP already has Regulatory authority for virtually ALL issues on ALL public water bodies in the state. We understand the difficulties the Candlewood Lake Authority (CLA) is claiming to experience, but legislation directing Regulations (currently authorized) to address one specific water body is inappropriate.

 

Some of the alleged problems are currently being addressed by DEP:

      BASS tournaments are claimed to disrupt the resident’s environment, yet current DEP policy, agreed to by all the parties, have: Designated start/finish times; Numbers of boats are regulated by Tournaments using only 50% of boat launch parking spaces (amounting to about 200 on 2 sites – the Lake has a boat registration of about 5,000); speed limits are posted/regulated.

      Candlewood gets more than it’s fair share of DEP Marine Enforcement, but with only 40-45 officers for ALL statewide enforcement it’s unlikely satisfaction will occur.

 

If Regulation is necessary, standardized procedures should apply to ALL water bodies. In particular, those that have State Owned Public Access. Currently, towns write ordinances, which are then accepted/rejected by DEP. While this may be appropriate for Town/Privately owned lakes/ponds, it is clearly inappropriate to hold a public hearing at/near Candlewood/other lakes/ponds with no level playing field for the General Public. We suggest adoption of the attached substitute language to correct that situation, and cause DEP to address ALL State Owned Public Access water body regulations on an Annual Basis at a central state location (Hartford).

 

Immediate correction is also needed to REPEAL a section of a ’93 Finance bill, which effectively prohibits maintenance on Candlewood’s Lattins Cove Boat Launch Ramp (Attached). To allow almost 10 years of NO maintenance on a STATE recreation and tourism facility when funds were available is unheard of. Correction is essential!!

 

We are also concerned with the water quality of the lake. It is our understanding there are significant numbers of large boats with toilets (heads) on the lake, but there is no pump-out facility.

 

Cost is always a factor for any issue. We would recommend the several towns involved apply revenue received under Sec. 15-155b. State distribution of revenue from fees for vessel registration. to boating activities. We understand this amount for the several towns amounts to approx $80,000.

 

In conclusion, we believe the various interest groups and DEP can reach a satisfactory compromise through discussion without implementing this proposal or Regulations.

 

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Sec. 15-136. Ordinances and regulations. (a) Any town, by ordinance, may make local regulations respecting the operation of vessels on any body of water WITHOUT STATE OWNED PUBLIC ACCESS within its territorial limits. Upon adoption, each such ordinance shall be submitted to the commissioner and, if not disapproved by him within sixty days thereafter, shall take effect as provided in subsection (c) of this section. The commissioner may disapprove any ordinance or part thereof which he finds to be arbitrary, unreasonable, unnecessarily restrictive, inimical to uniformity or inconsistent with the policy of this part.

 

(b) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, respecting the operation of vessels on any body of water WHICH HAS STATE OWNED PUBLIC ACCESS AND ANY BODY OF WATER which lies within the territorial limits of two or more towns (1) when no local regulations exist or (2) when such action is required to establish uniformity in the boating regulations of the several towns. Any town, by vote of its legislative body, and any group of ten or more interested persons may petition the commissioner for the adoption, amendment or repeal of the regulations. The commissioner shall hold a public hearing ANNUALLY on each such petition AT A CENTRAL STATE LOCATION IN THE CASE OF ANY BODY OF WATER WHICH HAS STATE OWNED PUBLIC ACCESS OR in the petitioning town or in one of the towns which will be affected TO ADDRESS (1) OR (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION, giving all interested persons an opportunity to present their views. Notice of such hearing, stating the date, time and place thereof and the substance of the proposed regulation, shall be published at least ten days prior thereto in a newspaper of general circulation in the town or towns which will be affected.

 

 

 

This Bill/Public Act passed in 1993 prohibiting any maintenance work on Lattins Cove Boat Launch Ramp due to alleged complaints by neighbors about launching traffic. Since then NO work (dredging, etc.) has been done on the ramp. Candlewood is the LARGEST inland water body in the state and has been a MAJOR fisheries management project for DEP. How then can this provision stand, which prohibits the public adequate access?? We urge you to repeal this parochial statute, which is contrary to the public interest.

 

PASSED 1993 Public Act-00332

 

06/03/1993 File No. 1031, FINANCE, REVENUE AND BONDING. Substitute  for  H.B.  No.  6605
(RAISED) (File  No.  136)  AN  ACT  PROMOTING  SIMPLICITY  IN  THE DETERMINATION  OF  THE  MEASURE  OF  SALES  AND  USE TAXES AND THE OWNERSHIP OF SALES TAXES  COLLECTED  BY  A  RETAILER  FROM  RETAIL CUSTOMERS.

Sec. 18. The department of environmental protection shall not expend any funds for the expansion  of the public boat ramp at Lattins Cove on Lake Candlewood in Danbury. (Part of a very long amendment)

 

 Legislation