John Larson: “as a cosponsor of the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic River Study Act, I rise in strong support…”

“as a cosponsor of the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic River Study Act, I rise in strong support of this very important bill. Connecticut is fortunate to be the home of the Farmington River, which hosts a wealth of natural beauty, a variety of wildlife, and a cultural past important to our state, region, and Nation. In 1994, Congress recognized the upper section of the Farmington--a 14 mile-long stretch that runs from the base of the Goodwin Dam in Hartland to the downstream border of Canton and New Hartford, as Wild and Scenic. As a federally protected river segment, the natural splendor and resources of the Upper Farmington have been managed cooperatively on the local, state and federal level for over a decade. Regrettably, Salmon Brook, a major tributary, and the Lower Farmington that runs 40 miles from Canton to its confluence with the Connecticut River in Windsor do not share the same federal protection. Continued threats to the river's water quality reinforce the urgent need for a collaborative effort to preserve the unique character of both the Upper and Lower Farmington, as well as Salmon Brook, for present and future generations. The Lower Farmington is a rare natural, cultural and recreational area for the people of the First District and throughout the entire state of Connecticut.”