Section 22a-NEW - [Newly enacted section not yet numbered] Connecticut Seagrass CoordinatorThe Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Aquaculture and The University of Connecticut, shall identify an individual to serve as the Connecticut Seagrass Coordinator. Such coordinator shall oversee and interact with stakeholders associated with eelgrass in Connecticut, Long Island Sound and the broader eelgrass community. The coordinator shall:
(1) Work with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to develop policies and strategies for the sustainable harvesting of eelgrass seeds from existing Connecticut eelgrass meadows in order to utilize such seeds in eelgrass meadow restoration projects; (2) research, review and compile best management practices for conducting aquaculture in close proximity to eelgrass meadows; (3) prescribe eelgrass-friendly mooring systems in mooring fields with a high potential to host eelgrass, as predicted by the Eelgrass Habitat Suitability Index model and identify necessary attendant public awareness campaigns for use of such mooring systems; and (4) establish an appropriate set of metrics for the evaluation of any restoration efforts made by the state to yield a reasonable return on investment for such projects over the requisite period of time for any such project.Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22a-NEW
Added by P.A. 24-0012,S. 2 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2024 Regular Session, eff. 5/14/2024.