Sen. Art Linares Co-sponsors New Law Promoting McKinney Wildlife Refuge

On Nov. 21, Sen. Art Linares (R-Westbrook), Rep. Tom Vicino (D-Clinton), and Sen. Minority Leader John McKinney (R-Fairfield) presented a ceremonial Connecticut Department of Transportation sign to Rick Potvin, Refuge Manager at the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge in Westbrook.

The presentation marked a new Connecticut law, sponsored by Sen. Linares, which aims to attract more visitors to Connecticut’s first national wildlife refuge by requiring the state to place signs on Interstate 95 north and south near exit 64.

The refuge was renamed in 1987 to honor the late U.S. Congressman Stewart B. McKinney, who was instrumental in expanding the refuge. Made up of 11 refuge units across 70 miles of Connecticut’s coastline from Westbrook to Greenwich, the refuge was established to protect feeding, nesting and resting habitat for migratory birds, to encourage natural diversity of fish and wildlife species and to provide environmental education opportunities for the public.  Sen. Minority Leader McKinney is the son of the late U.S. Congressman McKinney.

The ceremony was attended by Westbrook First Selectman Noel Bishop.  On the web:  www.fws.gov/refuge/stewart_b_mckinney/ .