June 17, 2005
Draft Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan Available for Public Review and Comment
Public Meetings to be held on 6/29 and 6/30
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Connecticut Sea Grant have jointly announced public meetings to gather comment on a Draft Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Management Plan. Meetings will be held at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, June 29, at the Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area in Burlington and at 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, at the DEP Marine Headquarters in Old Lyme. Comments may also be submitted in writing and will be accepted until July 14, 2005. Copies of the Draft ANS plan and an Executive Summary will be available as of June 22 and can be obtained through the CT Institute of Water Resources web site (www.ctiwr.uconn.edu) or by calling the DEP Inland Fisheries Division (860-424-3474).
"The introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species pose a serious threat to the ecology and biodiversity of our ecosystems and to the health and economic interests of the people of the State of Connecticut," said DEP Deputy Commissioner David K. Leff. The ANS plan lists potential invaders along with over 100 different non-native species already present in the marine and fresh waters of Connecticut. "The impacts of ANS include degradation of habitat, spread of pathogens, choking of waterways, clogging of water intakes, fouling of water supplies and interference with recreational activities such as fishing, boating and swimming," said Leff. The draft plan identifies nuisance species and vectors, and provides recommendations for preventing introductions and for effective monitoring and control of established populations. Gathering public comment is a required step in the process of developing a final plan that can be approved by the State and submitted to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as a prerequisite for obtaining federal funds to address ANS issues.
The draft ANS plan was prepared by a diverse working group headed by Connecticut Sea Grant, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Institute of Water Resources located at the University of Connecticut. The working group also included representatives from academia, State and Federal government agencies, lake associations, water companies, the nursery industry and the aquarium/pet trade industry.
Meeting Locations:
June 29, 7:00 pm
Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area and Conservation Education Center:
341 Milford Street (Route 69)
Burlington, CT 06013Directions: Sessions Woods WMA and Conservation Education Center is located on Route 69, about three miles south of Route 4 in Burlington and three miles north of Route 6 in Bristol.
June 30, 7:00 pm
DEP Marine Headquarters:
333 Ferry Road
Old Lyme, CT 06371Directions: From the North or West: Take 91 south or 9 south to 95. Head east on 95 North to exit 70. Take a right at end of exit onto Shore road (Rte 156). Go approximately 0.5 mile and take a right onto Ferry Road. Follow Ferry Road to the end where it enters the driveway of Marine HQ.
From the East: Take 95 South (heading west) to exit 70. Go straight through first two lights. At third light, take left onto Route 156. Follow above directions from 156.
Meeting will be in Conference Room B – go past the main building entrance, bear left around building and proceed back to 2nd building in the rear of main building.
Written comments should be mailed to:
DEP Inland Fisheries Division
Attn: ANS Comments
79 Elm Street, Hartford CT 06106or e-mailed to dep.inland.fisheries@po.state.ct.us
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