Gov. M. Jodi Rell today announced $758,905 in grants for projects in 14 communities to clean up the Farmington River Watershed.
Funds for the grants are available as the result of court settlements involving two companies – Tyco and Windsor Locks-based Hamilton Sundstrand – stemming from violations of clean water laws and environmental damage to the river and its watershed.
“These funds will improve water quality, restore aquatic life, improve public access to the river for recreation and strengthen local land use planning,” Rell said. “As an added benefit, some of the projects will create much-needed jobs for our residents.”
The projects range from stream bank stabilization and eradication of invasive plant species along the Farmington River in Simsbury, to the design of two fish passage structures at existing dams in Bloomfield, East Granby and Farmington.
Municipal planning grants are also being awarded to 10 communities that will work to revise their land use ordinances to incorporate more environmentally sound practices.
Ten communities in the watershed will receive grants to review and revise current land use ordinances to encourage the use of low impact development techniques. These techniques can promote environmentally sensitive land use by minimizing impacts from stormwater runoff and promote the protection of vegetated areas.
View the 16 projects funded under the Farmington River Enhancement Grant initiative.
