Danbury Aquatic Sites To Receive Grants From State

DANBURY, CT — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced the inaugural recipients of grant funding via the Aquatic Invasive Species Program. Lake Kenosia in Danbury, Ball Pond in New Fairfield, and Candlewood Lake were among the locations selected to receive these funds.

The Housatonic Valley Association will receive $25,500 to remove water chestnut from Lake Kenosia. The Candlewood Lake Authority will receive $26,711 to create a Watershed Steward Program that will educate boaters on aquatic invasive species. The Ball Pond Advisory Committee will receive $2,960.11 for a research project that will identify and monitor Cyanobacteria in the pond.

Additionally, Edwin M. Wong, an associate professor at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury received $3,225 for a research project that will identify and quantify toxin genes from a group of photosynthetic bacteria in Connecticut waterways.

The funding for the Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program was made possible by Public Act 19-190, which passed through the Connecticut General Assembly in 2019. This bill established an Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp fee to all registered boats using Connecticut waters, in order to create a dedicated funding source for the "Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation Account."

State Rep. David Arconti Jr. who represents Danbury as part of the 109th District, said, "I am pleased to see this program working for its intended purpose and to see some of our local lakes benefiting from it. Keeping our lakes safe and free from invasive species is a top priority and I will continue to support efforts to keep these waterways clean."

In total, DEEP will allocate $360,000 to 21 projects throughout the state. These funds will be used to reduce the impact of aquatic invasive species on inland waters.

"Candlewood Lake and Lake Kenosia are one of the nicest places to live near and visit," said State Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan, who represents Danbury as part of the 2nd District. "Ensuring our lakes are clean and healthy is of paramount importance to me and I will continue to support state programs that can help local governments tackle these problems."