WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement as his Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic River Act heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law. U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill on Wednesday, following its passage in the U.S. Senate earlier this month. Murphy’s legislation will create a U.S. National Park Service protective “Wild and Scenic” river designation for the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook. With the protective designation, the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook could receive as much as $100,000 in federal funding to assist volunteers and officials with conservation efforts. The river runs through ten towns: Avon, Bloomfield, Burlington, Canton, East Granby, Farmington, Granby, Hartland, Simsbury, and Windsor. The upper portion of the river was given protected status in 1994. 

Murphy first introduced the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic River Act as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives with then-Senator Joe Lieberman.

“Since I first came to Congress, I’ve been working with local leaders and community advocates to protect the upper Farmington River and Salmon Brook. It’s because of them, and partners like Senator Blumenthal, Congressman Larson, former Congresswoman Esty, and my predecessor in the House, Nancy Johnson, that we’re here today,” said Murphy. “I’m beyond proud to say the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic River Act is on its way to President Trump’s desk. This new law will be a game changer for our community. Now with a ‘Wild & Scenic’ designation, we can expand upon conservation efforts to protect the river for years to come.”

The Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Wild and Scenic River Act, introduced by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and cosponsored by Murphy, will also be signed into law. The bill designates 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 as well.

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