OLR Bill Analysis

HB 5747 (as amended by House "A")*

AN ACT CONCERNING THE DESIGNATION OF BANTAM LAKE AS A HERITAGE LAKE.

SUMMARY:

This bill adds Bantam Lake to the pilot heritage lake program that the legislature enacted in 1999. The original pilot program directed the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to designate a lake located in at least two municipalities and establish a program for preserving and enhancing the historic, cultural, recreational, economic, scenic, public health, and environmental value of state lakes. DEP chose Lake Waramaug in the towns of Kent, Warren, and Washington. The bill adds Bantam Lake in Morris and Litchfield.

The bill also requires the DEP commissioner to enter into an agreement with the town of Middlefield and the Lake Beseck Association, by November 1, 2006, regarding a schedule for annual water level draw downs of Lake Beseck. It specifies the depth and timing of the draw downs.

*House Amendment “A” adds the Lake Beseck water draw down provisions.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage

LAKE BESECK WATER DRAW DOWN

Under the bill, water level draw downs must be three feet during even-numbered years with completion achieved by December 1 of the same year and maintained until March 1 of the following year.

Water level draw downs must be six feet during odd-numbered years, completed by November 1 of the same year and maintained until December 31 of that year. Subsequently, a three-foot water level draw down must be maintained until March 1 of the following year.

The bill specifies that water level draw downs are designed to balance the various concerns of the lake community, including recreational needs, preservation of lakefront infrastructure, fisheries habitat, and other natural resource concerns.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Environment Committee

Joint Favorable