The Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed is starting to be seen as a valuable resource. Using our change model of leadership support, we are helping to bring in expertise and perspectives that might not be available to overworked staff and commission members, and so we are being asked what we think.
At the local level, we have provided valuable perspectives through the Planner's Convening and other venues such as Tribal Council and membership meetings, schools, and commissions to assist with their decision making and community engagement.
At the state level, we have been asked to sit with CEEJAC (CT Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council), and the Long Island Sound Study Citizens Action Committee.
At the federal level, we have helped the NE Fisheries Management Council to find the support they needed to investigate whether judicious time and area fishing closures will result in the rebound of river herring populations and lower bait prices as has happened in Maine, modified the way the EPA Region 1 distributes capacity-building funding to low-capacity communities and organizations, and added some respect for culture to the way they gather and assess data.
We need your help to keep expanding our impact! Almost all of the grants we apply to ask us to connect our goals and outcomes to the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. The CCMP outlines the goals and steps to restore, conserve and sustain a healthy Long Island Sound and the waters that flow into the Sound. Through the plan, federal, state, and local governments work with scientists, environmental groups, industries and communities to address areas such as water quality, habitat and wildlife conservation, coastal resiliency, and public involvement. The CCMP was last revised in 2015. This next update creates a plan for the next ten years (2025-2035). This is a critical moment to weigh in! Our comments are due November 22nd. Anyone is eligible to comment:
Go to this link: https://longislandsoundstudy.net/about/ccmp-revision-updates/
And even shorter notice, CT-DEEP is asking for our input to shape their plan to expand the Climate Resilience Funding and also to develop a revolving loan program. There is a public comment session on October 30 1-3pm and also written comments are accepted via email until November 8 : https://portal.ct.gov/connecticutclimateaction/executive-order/deep-climate-resilience-fund
On the local level, North Stonington's State of the Town Fair is happening on MONDAY the 28th!! 6 pm at the Main Entrance Hall of Wheeler High School. Tables, food, idea exchange, and updates!
In Stonington, the Plan of Conservation and Development (sets vision for the town) process is moving along slowly. The public is always invited to attend. They have gotten rid of the redundancies and anachronisms from the last one, and have received bids from four consultants to help them in this process. There is not very much information available on the town website, but you can call the Planning Office at 860-535-5095. The Planning and Zoning Comprehensive Update is still underway, and there is still plenty of time to get involved. The survey is still open! https://www.stonington-ct.gov/planning-department/pages/comprehensive-zoning-rewrite
And last thing about Stonington, they will have three openings on their Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission as of the spring of 25. There is a referendum on the ballot suggesting that we just not fill these positions and make the commission smaller. Ouch!! That's not how we get good representation! It already has only five members and two alternates. Please try to stop this, and then volunteer for the Commission! It meets once a month, and we will help you get ready to roll. In the meantime, here is the link to their meeting schedule: https://www.stonington-ct.gov/inland-wetlands-water-courses-commission
And if you're interested in sewage and bacterial pollution: https://www.stonington-ct.gov/water-pollution-control-authority
Groton has recently launched their own Plan of Conservation and Development update: Groton 2035!! If you have any connection to the Mystic River Watershed, and/or Groton, you are invited to participate. Don't miss your chance to weigh in and emphasize holistic, green, or regenerative approaches! If you want to do this together, we could have a Conversation Circle about it...let me know! info@alliancemrw.org. Here is the link to the survey: https://www.greatergroton.com/groton-2035/surveys/kickoff-survey
Comments