Hampton Applauds State Water Plan

Simsbury’s State Representative John Hampton is pleased the state is moving toward a comprehensive plan on our most precious natural resource: water.

“Water is indeed a public trust and should be preserved and protected for generations to come,” Hampton said. “The waters of Connecticut are a precious, finite and invaluable resource and with the stroke of a pen, my first piece of legislation, passed in 2014 – calling for a statewide water plan – is implemented. I am very proud we have moved forward with efforts to strike a balance among the needs of the public water supply, economic development, recreation, and ecological health.”

Rep. Hampton was joined by numerous stakeholders on the Flower Bridge in Simsbury to discuss the merits of declaring our water supply as a ‘public trust.’

Louis Burch, CT Program Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment, said “CCE is encouraged by Governor Malloy’s Executive Order charging the CT Water Planning Council to move forward on implementing the state water plan, and we applaud Rep. Hampton and his colleagues in the legislature, who have been vocal advocates of a strong water plan from the beginning of this process.” Mr. Burch added, “We urgently need a comprehensive water management strategy so that we can get to work on the important business of planning for the future, including preparing for the impacts of climate change already being felt in our communities. Equally as important, we need a water plan that recognizes water as a public trust resource. This means that all CT residents have an inherent right to clean water, and a right to intervene when those resources are threatened. It’s our water, and the decisions we make today will help ensure it will be managed sustainably for our future generations.”

Jack Betkoski, who is Chair of the State Water Planning Council, said, “I want to thank Rep. Hampton for getting this effort started in 2014. He had the foresight to recognize the need for a statewide plan and fought hard for legislative approval. I also salute Gov. Malloy for signing an executive order that essentially carries through on Rep. Hampton’s initiative.” Betkoski is also Vice-Chair of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, and President of the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners.

Also attending the press conference from the Farmington River Watershed Association were Alisa Phillips-Griggs, Water Quality & Project Coordinator, and Laura Hart, Project Manager.

Public concern over water resources became apparent in 2016 and 2017 when Connecticut experienced an extended drought that led to mandatory conservation in many areas of the state, prompting a push for legislation designed to ensure a safe, secure and adequate public water supply in Connecticut. Our state is recognized as having the highest quality drinking water in the nation. To maintain such a lofty status our water plan requires a comprehensive approach to water conservation, land protection and health concerns.