Niantic River Watershed Advisory Committee
Board Development Meeting Dec. 15, 2009
One of the key recommendations of the Niantic River Watershed Protection Plan was to support an establishment of a sustainable watershed board. This coalition, which may be formed by modifying an exiting board, would include appointed representatives from each of the four towns associated with the Niantic River Watershed (East Lyme, Waterford, Salem, and Montville). This may include town officials, town board members, local environmental and non-profit organizations, business owners, and landowners. Liaison representation from: environmental organizations with an interest in the watershed, local, state, and federal government, utilities, educational institutions, and local businesses should be encouraged to join.
The responsibilities of this coalition would include putting into action the recommendations of the watershed management plan, with periodic reviews and updates. The newly formed Niantic River Watershed Advisory Committee (NRWAC) has already begun important work on the recommendations spelled out in the Niantic River Watershed Protection Plan. Our current mission statement is:
To restore and preserve the Niantic River Watershed through inter-municipal cooperation and the sound development of land use practices that mitigate pollution of the watershed that support all uses, including shell fishing, fishing, swimming, habitat and drinking water supplies.
The NRWAC comprises of a variety of professionals and volunteers that are dedicated to the same purpose of restoring the Niantic River to what it used to be. In order to effectively carry out the Niantic River Watershed Protection Plan’s recommendations, several committees were established: Education/Outreach, Monitoring, and Board Development.
If you are interested in attending any of our meetings (held every second Tuesday of the month at Waterford Town Hall) or becoming a member of our partnership, please contact Judy Rondeau.