February 6, 2012

SPEAKER DONOVAN ANNOUNCES SHORELINE PRESERVATION TASK FORCE
Rep. Reed to Join Group to Look at Connecticut Shoreline Concerns
About Climate, Storm Impacts Past and Future

House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) today announced the formation of a bipartisan task force to study and make legislative recommendations on storm impacts on homeowners and businesses on Connecticut’s shoreline.

“Last August’s Storm Irene caused tens of millions of dollars in property damage,” Speaker Donovan said. “Hundreds of homes received significant damage or were destroyed. Despite the severity of the damage, it would have been much worse had Irene hit the shore as a category 1 or 2 hurricane. We need to look at our policies to see if they are sufficient to meet the specific and unique needs of shoreline communities, residents and businesses.”

State Representative Lonnie Reed (D-Branford) attended the news conference and will be a member of the task force.

“Climate change and rising seas are real, not figments of environmentalists’ imaginations,” said Rep. Reed. “450 families in my district, especially Linden Avenue, experienced big time impacts following TS Irene. I applaud Speaker Donovan and Rep. Albis for recognizing the importance of this issue.”

The task force, which will be chaired by State Rep. James Albis (D-East Haven), will also look at the impact of climate changes on efforts to preserve shoreline communities.

Rep. Albis said, “We know that sea levels are rising, and that many shoreline communities incurred significant damage during Tropical Storm Irene. Homeowners and businesses are still recovering. Any severe storm has the potential to cause mass flooding and damage to shoreline properties, and a hurricane of any magnitude could be extremely devastating.

The task force is charged with making recommendations to the General Assembly for legislation that will:

• Assist those still rebuilding and recovering from Irene
• Develop new policies that specifically address the unique needs of shoreline and waterfront residents and businesses with respect to shoreline erosion, rising sea levels, and future storm planning.
• Make sure new policies complement legislation that may be developed regarding emergency communications between towns and the state; utility company preparedness, response and accountability; and insurance issues.

Donovan said the Task Force will be made up of legislators from shoreline towns, and will include representatives and senators, Democrats and Republicans. It also likely will include others such as climate and land use experts. The group expects to meet with and hear from homeowners, business owners, shoreline municipal leaders, insurance company representatives, climate scientists, and others before making recommendations. The task force will begin meeting immediately. Its goal is to complete work and forward recommendations to the General Assembly in December 2012.