Plan to divert 14.2M gallons a day to southwestern CT awaits a decision by state officials
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A fisherman tries out a new fishing spot on the Mill River in Fairfield on Sunday, March 21, 2021.Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media
The fate of a proposal that would essentially double the amount of water diverted from the Greater Bridgeport system to southwestern Connecticut now rests in the hands of the state.
Environmental groups and residents from the Fairfield area spent two public hearings this past week objecting to a permit now before the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, citing negative impacts on residents and the watershed.
UpdatedThu, May 6, 2021 at 5:57 am ET
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Fairfield environmental advocates are concerned about how a diversion proposal would affect the Mill River watershed. (Google Maps)
FAIRFIELD, CT Fairfield residents and representatives voiced environmental concerns Tuesday about a proposal to double the amount of water diverted from the local system, including Cricker Brook and the Mill River watershed, to towns such as Greenwich and Stamford.
Aquarion Water Co. has filed an application with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to increase its diversion permit from 7.3 million gallons per day to 14.2 million gallons per day from the Bridgeport water system to the county s southwest region. The permit would require an annual diversion average of 12.6 million gallons per day, would last 25 years and would see a pipeline added in Fairfield in 2029.
The Connecticut Audubon Society in Milford is doing its part to use water wisely by utilizing rain barrels.
“It works just like your hose,” Comins said. “You hook your hose right up to it and there’s a little lever on the bottom and gravity does the rest.”
A one-inch rainfall on an average size roof can yield up to the 700 gallons of water.
Forty percent of the average homeowner s water use comes from using water outdoors. The water is used for activities such as watering your garden or lawn and washing your car.
Rain barrels aren’t just budget-friendly, they also help keep our local water clean.
Thrice cursed Charles Island now a sanctuary
Kendra Wingate
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Charles Island, a 14-acre island located approximately 0.5 miles off the coast of Milford, boasts a long and storied past. The unassuming island is steeped in decades of history, is said to be “thrice cursed,” and is a now cherished state resource for native wildlife.
The first curse was said to have been laid upon the land by a Paugusset chief in 1639 when he lost the land, which he believed to be home to the sacred spirits, to European settlers. Resulting in ill will, he cursed the island, any structure that was erected on the island and anyone who tried to live there. The second was laid on the island in 1699 by Scottish pirate and notorious high sea robber Captain William Kidd, who was lured into a trap on the island leading to his trial and execution, but not before he buried treasure. He, like any good pirate, cursed the island, believing if you curse the land, you’ll scare off any would
Updated on April 21, 2021 at 6:36 pm
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It’s a sure sign of spring…the return of osprey, a now-common migratory bird along the Connecticut shoreline. But that wasn’t always the case. The species population has made a big comeback in recent years.
Third grader Clara Wurst knows a thing or two about osprey, and just about every other type of bird. Download our mobile app for iOS or Android to get alerts for local breaking news and weather.
Wurst, from Stafford, was at Milford Point bird watching with her mom on Monday.
“I really enjoy coming down here just for the birds and for the sake of the ocean,” said Wurst.