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Legislation Introduced to Protect the Eightmile River

First Bill from Congressman Joe Courtney is Act for Eightmile Wild & Scenic River Designation 

MIDDLETOWN, CT — February 12, 2007 — As the Eightmile River winds its way through the forests and rolling hills of the Connecticut River Valley, visitors can’t help but notice that even though settlers have lived here for hundreds of years, the natural landscape is still in outstanding condition.  A bill just introduced in the US House of Representatives and US Senate aims to keep the watershed of the Eightmile River in this condition for future generations. 

“When we began this process 10 years ago, we knew this river was

 To meet designation criteria a river must possess at least one “Outstanding Remarkable Resource”.  That the Eightmile study identified six of these attributes testifies to its special qualities.

"The Eightmile River is a pristine and scenic landscape that must be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations and that is why I am proud to offer my first piece of legislation in Congress that will one day help to achieve that goal.  This bill sends a strong message that while serving as the Second District representative to Congress the protection of our environment will remain a priority of mine," stated Congressman Joseph Courtney.

While over 30% percent of the watershed is conserved in one form or another, leading to high water quality, the river faces ongoing threats from housing development and forest fragmentation, and the loss of the cultural heritage that gives these towns and this region its character.

“The quality of the entire, highly intact, watershed is unique in New England,” stated Steve McCormick, president and CEO of The Nature Conservancy, a member organization of the Committee.  “Having an entire river system that connects the forests of the headwaters with the quality river habitat and the brackish tidal portion allows the watershed to support an incredible diversity of plant and animal species.”

“The Eightmile River is a precious natural resource,” said Dodd.  “We cannot afford to lose the incredible beauty and history of this environmental treasure, and this bill will help ensure that the Eightmile River will be preserved and protected for generations to come.”

Congressional Wild and Scenic River designation provides federal river protection and serves to establish strong local and state protection.  It also provides funding to support implementation of a locally-adopted management plan and other river protection measures.  Once passed, the designation would help in the coordination of protection efforts by the three towns that comprise the majority of the watershed.  These towns, East Haddam, Lyme and Salem, have all held town votes supporting designation. 

“America’s wild, free-flowing rivers connect us all to our national and natural heritage.  By leading the charge to name the Eightmile River watershed as a Wild and Scenic River, Congressman Courtney and Senator Dodd are sending an early Valentine to people in communities all across Connecticut,” said Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers.  “We congratulate them for protecting one of the state’s last, best rivers for future generations to enjoy.”

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to protect the most ecologically important lands and waters around the world for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.