News

Although the Capitol complex remains closed to the public, the 2021 legislative session is well underway.

Earlier this month, Governor Lamont released his proposed FY ’22-’23 Biennial Budget and implementer bills, bringing some good news for land conservation funding, including several of CLCC’s conservation priorities.

SB 887 – The Governor’s bond package – includes authorization of $5M for the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program (OSWA). Also included are proposed authorizations to fund trails and resilience projects.

The Community Investment Act, a dedicated fund to support OSWA, including the Urban Green and Community Garden Program, and other state land use programs, appears protected in the proposal.

HB 6441 – The Governor’s Act Concerning Climate Change Adaptation includes several proposals which provide municipalities with funding tools to better respond to the impacts of climate change at the local level.

Section 3 of the bill enables a Municipal Funding Option – giving communities the opportunity to establish a limited buyer’s conveyance fee program to generate revenue for climate resilience and other local environmental projects.

This is good news.

Now comes the hard part!
Your participation and advocacy will be essential to getting these and other critical proposals across the finish line.

Public hearings are expected soon. Please stay closely tuned for more information and action alerts.

And thanks, as always, for all you do!