CCE works to advance legislation that will protect our natural environment and public health, while working to oppose legislation that will have an adverse impact on our shared environment.
The Connecticut General Assembly is the legislative branch of State Government. Made up of the House of Representatives (151 members) and the Senate (36 members), it enacts laws dealing with the collection and allocation of funds, public welfare, the environment, education, public works, civil and criminal law and other matters. Regular sessions of the Connecticut General Assembly are held from January to June in odd-numbered years, and from February to May in even-numbered years.
Below is a list of proposed legislation that CCE is working to advance in the 2008 State of Connecticut Legislative Session.
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA ITEMS:
Harbor Improvement Fund
Many harbors and inlets in Connecticut require routine dredged to remove sediment build-up and improve navigation. Dredged sediments or “dredged materials” often contain toxic heavy metals and other pollutants. CCE is opposed to open water disposal of dredged materials. As a result of overwhelming public support CT, NY and the EPA entered into a historic bi-state agreement to phase out the dumping of dredged materials in the Long Island Sound. Funding safer disposal options continues to be a barrier for CT’s compliance with the open-water dumping ban. Dedicated funding will help CT with routine maintenance activities, and assist the State to utilize the most environmentally-friendly means of reuse and disposal of dredged materials.
CCE's memo of support for this legislation
Bill text
Long Island Sound Stewardship Act
As our Estuary of National Significance, the immense value of Long Island Sound cannot be overstated. Twenty million people live within 50 miles of the Sound’s shores. Residents of New York and Connecticut depend on the Sound for recreational opportunities, including fishing, sailing, and swimming. The CT Long Island Sound Stewardship Act would establish the Long Island Sound stewardship program and account from which the Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner makes grants to improve, protect, and acquire sites located along the Connecticut coastline. Such funds are needed to match similarly authorized federal funding to improve, protect, and acquire LIS Stewardship sites already identified.
CCE's memo of support for this legislation
Bill text
Banning retail use of plastic bags
Flimsy plastic bags, designed for one use, are ubiquitous litter and often end up polluting our waterways, endangering marine life, and clogging gutters and sewers. Unfortunately, voluntary efforts to reduce the amount of plastic bags consumed by shoppers have not produced the results necessary to protect the environment, wildlife, and to reduce our use of petroleum-based products. Reusable grocery bags, readily available at most stores, provide an easy and sustainable alternative. Banning plastic bags is a global movement supported in many cities, states, and countries. During the 2008 CT session CCE is advocating for a state-wide mandatory in-store recycling law with a complete ban in 2010.
CCE's memo of support for this legislation
Bill text
Restoring Funding for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
The mission of the DEP is to protect, preserve and manage the state’s natural resources. For years the demand for environmental programs has outpaced appropriated budget, creating a backlog of projects and creating roadblocks to implement critical environmental initiatives in every part of the State. The General Assembly and Governor should restore $4.5 million in this budget cycle to allow DEP to hire new staff positions across the entire agency to rebuild and strengthen programs that urgently need support.
CCE's memo of support
CCE’s fact sheet on DEP funding
Updated by kjacobs 4/16/08