Bill Would Boost Public Input On Shenipsit Lake Recreation

VERNON, CT — A bill proposed by a Vernon-based legislator is designed to give the public more input on recreational activities at reservoirs like Shenipsit Lake.

The lake borders parts of Vernon, Tolland and Ellington and is the major public drinking water supply for the region.

The legislation (HB 6324), sponsored by state Rep. Michael Winkler, is entitled, "An act concerning permitted recreation on public water supply storage of distribution reservoirs."

It's "statement of purpose" reads, "To require community engagement and consensus prior to any change in the rules adopted for permitted recreation on public water supply storage or distribution reservoirs." It would amend Section 25-43c of the Connecticut General Statutes.

The bill was hailed in a Monday e-mail campaign by the Shenipsit Lake Association.

"The bill was submitted for people to have a voice regarding passive recreation at Shenipsit Lake," the message from association co-founder Gary Pozzato read. "Shenipsit Lake is the towns of Vernon, Tolland and Ellington's historical natural resource. Generations of families have used 'Lake Mishenipset' not only for drinking but also passive recreation."

One provision is to require that any proposed change by a water company regarding recreational activity on a reservoir be sent in writing to the chief executive officer of each municipality bordering the reservoir and to the owner of each residential property that abuts each reservoir.

Approval would be required from each chief executive officer and owner regarding any proposed change before the change could be formally submitted to the state Department of Public Health and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Connecticut Water Company oversees the 5 billion-gallon Shenipsit Lake reservoir. Utility spokesman Daniel Meaney said Connecticut Water has a 25-plus year history of offering a health department-permitted recreation program at The Snip and "intends to continue to support such a program."

The program is fully funded by Connecticut Water and is offered free to the public.

"Because Shenipsit Lake Reservoir is a public drinking water source, any recreation in and around the reservoir requires a permit from DPH," Meaney said. "Further, the company is responsible to develop and enforce permit conditions to ensure the quality of the public water supply that serves thousands of residents in neighboring communities."

Meaney said the impact also goes beyond north-central Connecticut.

"This is a proposed bill from a legislator in a community adjacent to that public water supply source that would change the basis for permitting such DPH programs statewide," Meaney said. "There is no indication yet if the bill will be raised by the committee or have a public hearing. We do find the proposed legislation, as drafted, to be problematic. We are concerned that it could have unintended consequences for the Connecticut Water program as well as for recreation programs offered by other public water utilities in the state."

The DPH has the authority to issue recreation permits at public water supplies subject to any terms or conditions that its commissioner deems necessary to maintain the "purity" of the water in the reservoir itself and "aquifer protection" areas.

State law requires the water company, to be the applicant for a recreation permit.

"Developing appropriate permit conditions is critical to balance the needs to protect the customers’ drinking water while allowing for recreational opportunities," Meaney said. "Connecticut Water already coordinates with local officials, but requiring approval from each of the officials AND all abutting property owners is simply not practical. These requirements would have the effect of, at best, delaying the application and approval for permits or, worse, preventing the company from being able to secure a permit because all the parties could not agree on terms.

"The CWC Shenipsit Lake Recreation program has worked well for more than 25 years. Water quality at the Shenipsit Lake Reservoir has been protected and thousands of people from across north central Connecticut have enjoyed hiking and fishing at no cost each year. Connecticut Water does not believe the language, as drafted in HB 6324, is necessary or in the interest of the program."

In its campaign, the lake association is asking for support to "help to pass Representative Michael Winkler's proposed H.B. No. 6324."

It continued, "Please contact your legislators and ask them to co-sponsor the legislation. The legislature particularly likes bills supported by Democrats and Republicans."