Hearing of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, National Parks Subcommittee on the Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act

Statement

Statement of Senator Dodd to the National Parks Subcommittee on the Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act

Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Thomas, and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of S.553, the Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act. I am pleased that with my friend and cosponsor Senator Lieberman I have introduced this bill to designate the Eightmile River in Connecticut a part of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. In the House, Representatives Courtney, DeLauro, Larson, Murphy, and Shays have introduced companion legislation, and I am pleased to note that two weeks ago it was favorably reported.

I think that the fact that the entire Congressional delegation has agreed to cosponsor this legislation speaks to the broad support designation of the Eightmile River has in Connecticut. The Connecticut State Legislature expressed its support by passing Public Act 05-18, declaring it the policy of the State that the river be preserved as provided for in the Wild and Scenic Rivers act and directing the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to cooperate and assist in implementing the management plan. And, most importantly, designation is supported by the communities that will be most affected, those in the Eightmile watershed. This effort to preserve the special attributes of the Eightmile is a product of the communities' recognition of the beauty and fragility of the special place in which they live. Votes in each community were strongly in favor of designation, in part because the study process and debate allowed for many perspectives to be heard. I know of no organized opposition.

The attributes of the river that are so valued by the residents of Connecticut include its clean water, with 92% of the watershed's streamwater meeting the State's highest quality standards, and no point sources of pollution. The streams flow freely with no dams or diversions—rare in a state that has been densely populated as long as Connecticut. Eighty percent of the land area is forested. The natural streams and large areas of interconneted forest provide habitat for rare species. The study for eligibility determined that the Eightmile River watershed ranks in the 99th percentile in New England for globally rare species per unit area.

The residents also appreciate a unique cultural landscape: rural, with an absence of modern development, and an abundance of colonial homes and historic churches.

The towns have begun to implement the parts of the watershed management plan that are in their jurisdiction; Congressional designation as a Wild and Scenic River will bolster these efforts and provide the stability for ongoing long-term preservation. I thank you for your consideration and urge you to support this bill.

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