PUBLICATIONS

Watershed Management Plan

This section is currently under construction. Please check back soon for updates.

Implementation Update 06/6/07

Wild & Scenic Sees Action in Congress - 5/25/07

Despite spending only one minute being briefed on the Eightmile Wild & Scenic designation at a recent Natural Resources subcommittee hearing, the Senate has completed the initial step to move the legislation forward. Senate Bill 553, with accompanying written testimony from the local Coordinating Committee and from Senator Dodd was then referred to markup and other stops along the way to a final vote.

In mid April, the House version of the Bill (HR986) was taken up at a subcommittee hearing, passed through the markup process, the full Natural Resources committee and was then referred to the House floor for a vote. Congressmen Courtney testified in person for the House hearing as did Nathan Frohling, vice-chair of the Eightmile Coordinating Committee. While the House hearing spent more time than the Senate reviewing the Eightmile bill, it was obvious that the strong local support and lack of controversy would make the trip to the President’s desk a much smoother process than was the case in the previous Congress.

While the local Coordinating Committee is hopeful that the official designation will occur during the present Congress, they are not waiting for the Congressional nod to move forward with the local mandate to protect the Eightmile.

Support Local River Protection

The Salem Planning & Zoning Commission has acted to move forward with a Riparian Corridor Overlay Zone which was one suggestion in the Watershed Management Plan published in 2006. The commission will hear public comment on the proposed zone on June 19 at 7pm. Public support for this important river protection measure will be key factor in moving forward – please consider attending.

In Lyme, the Planning and Zoning subcommittee is working with the Eightmile Wild & Scenic Coordinating Committee to draft a final riparian overlay district which will hopefully go to public hearing in the Fall of 2007. Check the Calendar of Events for upcoming meetings.