Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy plans to offer legislation that could lead to a coordinated long-term plan for Long Island Sound.
The Democrat announced on Monday that he will propose the Long Island Sound Blue Plan this month, which will direct the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and UConn to work with various agencies, academic institutions and groups to come up with an inventory of natural resources and human resources of Long Island Sound.
That information would be used to guide future use of the waters and submerged lands.
“The Long Island Sound is critical for Connecticut’s economy and the millions of people who rely on its resources, and yet our state does not have any existing authority to plan for its future use and protection on an overall basis. We need to act now in order to protect our vital coastline, allow comprehensive and regional planning for use of the Sound,” Governor Malloy said. “The Sound has been the scene of several protracted battles over the past decade, which highlights the pressing need for us to take action now,” Malloy said in a statement.
Malloy said his proposal would expand upon the work of an existing Connecticut and New York commission.
He said the Long Island Sound contributes more than $5.5 million for the local economy and is home to more than 120 species of finfish and countless varieties of birds and other animals.
Massachusetts and Rhode Island have developed similar plans for their coastlines and waterways. Malloy said New York is now engaged in a similar process.
