Third 2009 Coastal Resources Initiative
First Selectman Peter J. Tesei has announced the unanimous vote by the First Selectman's Coastal Resources Advisory Committee on March 4, 2009 to establish a significantly new set of Rules and Procedures for all boats using the Town's coastal waterways, beginning with the upcoming boating season.
These draft 2009 Rules and Procedures were developed based on input and feedback from the State Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Transportation, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Committee and a number of the Town's boaters. The committee benchmarked the initiative with Fairfield, Darien and Norwalk municipalities.
The primary objective of the proposed Rules and Procedures is to improve boater safety and enhance the environmental quality and the benefits of the Town's coastal resources for both local and transient boaters.
The platform used to develop these Rules and Procedures includes Section 15-8, Power to Station Vessels, of the State's General Statutes, dated 1945 and updated 1969; the State Department of Environmental Protection General Permit for Harbor Moorings, updated 2008; The Town Charter, Sections 307 to 310, Harbor regulations, areas, penalty and enforcement; and the US Army Corps of Engineers regulations. The draft Rules and Procedures will be posted on the Town web site on March 10, 2009.
This initiative, together with the new mooring fees and dredge funding initiatives recently announced and approved, represent an increased focus on the management of the Town's waterways, which include 27 miles of coastline, seven harbors, 3 federal navigation channels, 30 islands and hundreds of moorings.
First Selectman Tesei thanked Chairman John Craine and his committee, including Harbor Master Jonathan Asch, for their work in developing and implementing these new regulations designed to enhance the safety and enjoyment of this valued asset and significantly contribute to the Town's quality of life.
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