Pass Eightmile River Protection, The Hartford Courant: July 19, 2007

Pass Eightmile River Protection (Courant)

July 19, 2007

An effort to expedite passage of a bill designating the Eightmile River in Connecticut as part of the National Wild and Scenic River System was needlessly rebuffed by a handful of U.S. representatives last week. Led by Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, the obstructionists expressed unfounded concerns about the use of eminent domain to protect the watershed.

A motion to suspend the House rules to allow the bill to pass in a speedy bipartisan manner failed when it fell short of the needed two-thirds majority. Fortunately, the effect of the vote only temporarily delays consideration of the bill by the House.

Supporters of the bill include Rep. Joseph Courtney, D-2nd District, who represents Salem, East Haddam and Lyme, through which the Eightmile runs before flowing into the Connecticut River. The state's entire congressional delegation backs the measure, and Gov. M. Jodi Rell sent a supporting letter to the House leadership.

Protection of the 40,000-acre watershed is vital to keep its waters clean and wildlife habitat thriving and intact for future generations. The effort to win a wild and scenic designation has been underway for years, with former Republican Rep. Rob Simmons a proponent when he represented the 2nd District. U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd has introduced a similar bill in the Senate with the support of Sen. Joseph Lieberman.

Some supporters suspect the opposition mounted by a few Republicans was aimed at discrediting Mr. Courtney, who won his seat in a close race against Mr. Simmons. The bill's backers from both sides of the aisle point out that the measure has specific wording to prohibit the use of eminent domain to protect land in the Eightmile watershed.

Proponents of the bill expect it to come before the House this month. It deserves speedy approval and passage in the Senate.