WASHINGTON – On the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) in introducing the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Wild and Scenic River Act. Designating these segments of the 300-square mile Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed, which includes rivers that cross North Stonington, Sterling, Stonington, and Voluntown, under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act would open the door to additional federal preservation funding and support from the U.S. National Park Service.

“We’re proud to join with our colleagues from Rhode Island to support conservation efforts for the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed. We’ve heard from community members in southeastern Connecticut about how important it is to protect these rivers and the wildlife and recreational activities they support. A ‘Wild and Scenic’ designation will provide critical federal funding to preserve the watershed for future generations,” said Murphy and Blumenthal.

Murphy and Blumenthal co-sponsored a study of the designation that was included in the Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). For more information about the study, visit: http://WPwildRivers.org

Thirty-six environmental organizations in Connecticut and Rhode Island have sent letters highlighting their support of the legislation. All towns in the watershed have passed formal resolutions in support of the designation.

###