Water Use Hearing at DEP Thursday Morning

The State powers that be, the business lobbies, will be fighting the DEP's new water regulations. We need citizens to attend this meeting in Hartford and speak in favor of the DEP's new regulation.

The Middlesex Chamber’s Environment, Land Use and Energy Committee has scheduled a meeting on Thursday, January 14th at 8:00 a.m. at the Chamber to discuss the Department of Environmental Protection’s proposed Stream Flow Regulations. Attorney Greg Sharpe, Murtha Cullina LLP, and a representative from the Connecticut Water Works Association will brief members on the legal and technical aspects of the Department’s draft Stream Flow Regulations, which if implemented in their current form, will negatively impact the business community by increasing costs and service disruptions as well as hamper economic development.

If your company’s business operations require a water diversion permit or if your business depends heavily on water, such as manufacturers, hospitals, golf courses, restaurants, hotels, etc… you will want to attend this meeting. DEP has a hearing scheduled for public comment on January 21st at 9:00 a.m. at the DEP headquarters in Hartford. The Chamber’s Board of Directors voted to oppose the regulations in their current form at its November Board Meeting.

Specifically, the stream flow regulations will:

· Lead to Potential Moratoriums on Construction and Economic Development
· Significantly Increase Water-related Business Costs
· Contribute to Increased Property Taxes
· Result in Public Water Supply Deficits
· Impose Frequent and Lengthy Water Use Restrictions on Customers
· Divert Resources Away from Needed Infrastructure Improvements

If you need more information or plan on attending, please do not hesitate to contact Brian O’Connor at the Chamber by emailing him at brian@middlesexchamber.com or call him at 860-347-6924.