New regulations coming for CTs waterways

I haven't read much about these proposed regulations on CT waterways yet, but I have been getting emails on this issue for the past couple weeks. The NHRs Luther Turmelle reports on the pro-business side:

A broad coalition of business groups and community leaders is opposing regulations proposed by the state Department of Environmental Protection that would govern how much water could be drawn from the state’s rivers and streams, as well as associated watersheds.

Then offers something on the pro-environment side:

The regulations the DEP is proposing are the result of legislation enacted in 2005. State Rep. Mary Mushinsky, D-Wallingford, was one of the authors of that legislation, and after Wednesday’s press conference, she said that the proposed regulations are the result of years of work. The state does not have a comprehensive plan for water usage, Mushinsky said, and the proposed regulations are necessary if the state is to avoid costly court battles over how water is used.

So would you prefer a higher cost of living and a better protected environment? Or a lower cost of living and a less protected environment? I can guess where most people stand in this economy.

There may be some middle ground though. I understand part of the concern is the total volume of water that is currently licensed to be diverted from our waterways. But that may be something of a red herring as many of those licenses have gone unused for years and likely could be revoked with few complaints.

Tim White