Not later than one year from June 3, 2002, a comprehensive environmental assessment and plan shall be completed under the direction of the Institute for Sustainable Energy. In conducting the comprehensive environmental assessment and plan, a task force shall work with the Institute of Sustainable Energy that consists of the task force members contained in Executive Order Number 26 of Governor John G. Rowland and a representative of: (1) The Bureau of Fisheries of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; (2) the Director of the Bureau of Aquaculture of the Department of Agriculture; (3) the Bureau of Aviation and Ports, Connecticut Coastline Port Authority of the Department of Transportation; (4) the Connecticut Seafood Council; (5) the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries; (6) Save the Sound, Inc.; (7) the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, Inc.; (8) the Long Island Soundkeeper; (9) the State Geologist; and (10) no more than one representative each from the holder of a permit for a merchant cable, one representative from an applicant for a gas pipeline, one representative from each local gas and electric distribution company and one representative from the telecommunications industry. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the task force from soliciting the participation of other persons in the development of the comprehensive environmental assessment and plan, including, but not limited to, federal agencies regarding matters within such agencies' jurisdiction. Such assessment and plan shall include, but not be limited to, a review and analysis of those criteria set forth in Executive Order Number 26 of Governor John G. Rowland in addition to the following: (A) In consultation with the Institute of Water Resources at The University of Connecticut and The University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension Service, a comprehensive inventory and mapping of all existing environmental data on the natural resources of Long Island Sound, including, but not limited to: All coastal resources, as defined in section 22a-93, all points of public access and public use, locations of rare and endangered species including the breeding and nesting areas for such rare and endangered species, locations of historically productive fishing grounds and locations of unusual and important submerged vegetation; (B) an evaluation of the relative importance and uniqueness of the natural resources and an identification of the most ecologically sensitive natural resources of Long Island Sound; (C) an assessment of the present status, future potential and environmental impacts on Long Island Sound of meeting the region's energy needs that do not require the laying of a power line or cable within Long Island Sound; (D) an evaluation of methods to minimize the numbers and impacts of electric power line crossings, gas pipeline crossings and telecommunications crossings within Long Island Sound, including an evaluation of the individual and cumulative environmental impacts of any such proposed crossings; (E) an inventory of current crossings of Long Island Sound and an evaluation of the current environmental status of those areas that have crossings; (F) an evaluation of the reliability and operational impacts to the state and region of proposed crossings of Long Island Sound and an evaluation of the impact on reliability by recommended limitations on such crossings; (G) recommendations for providing for regional energy needs while protecting Long Island Sound to the maximum extent possible; and (H) recommendations on natural resource performance bond levels to insure and reimburse the state in the event that future electric power line crossings, gas pipeline crossings or telecommunications crossings substantially damage the public trust in the natural resources of Long Island Sound. For the purposes of sections 25-157 to 25-157c, inclusive, “Long Island Sound” shall include its harbors, embayments, tidal rivers, streams and creeks to the extent that any such projects would impact such harbors, embayments, tidal rivers, streams and creeks.
(P.A. 02-95, S. 3; P.A. 03-123, S. 7; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(f); P.A. 04-189, S. 1; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 02-95 effective June 3, 2002; P.A. 03-123 made a technical change, effective June 26, 2003; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Department of Agriculture with Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Department of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Department of Energy and Environmental Protection”, effective July 1, 2011.