The water of Gully Brook, along with that of the North and South Branches of the Park River is not potable, not fishable says Mary Rickel Pelletier of Park Watershed, Inc.
She and others — including representatives from the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, and Clean Water Action CT — petitioned City Council to support the proposed definition of “Waters of the U.S” under the Clean Water Act. This would essentially clarify language in the existing federal Clean Water Act.
The local contamination issues are not surprising to those who are familiar with the city. We all know about how the Hog River had historically been a floating dump for tanneries, livestock waste, and the tenements.
Today, the South Branch of the Park River glides alongside areas still zoned for industrial purposes. Large surface parking lots can be found near the brook and river branches, contributing to the problem. Athletic fields without buffers like swales add to the poor water quality. Improvements have been made here and there, with rain gardens (vegetated swales) popping up in spots around the city.
Council moved this item from Reports to the Consent Calendar on Tuesday night.
Tony C
Does that mean they are ignoring it?