This is about our membership drive for 2009. It is a task that we undertake to continue arranging conferences and field trips for the education and benefit of residents of Connecticut, driven by a concern for conservation of our state’s natural resources and protection of the environment.

There are many reasons for joining NRCC or renewing your membership. We will keep you posted on up and coming conferences and field trips that may be of interest to you. They are reasonably priced, good value for the educational benefit (and lunch). There is plenty of grist for future conferences and field trips. For instance:

• Conflicts over water resources of the state. Coming stream flow regulations written by DEP to address the protection of fish and other aquatic life dependent on the in-stream flow of water will likely impact water utilities’ sources of supply for public drinking water. We, together with at least one other conservation – minded organization, are planning a workshop to promote public understanding of the issue.

• Recycling of household and commercial waste. Our board is planning a field trip to a recycling facility sometime in late May or early June. Active land fill sites are closing and becoming a thing of the past. Recycling of waste products appears to be a practical solution. On the field trip you will have an opportunity to see and learn about the most recent developments in recycling technology.

• The cost and lost time commuting to a job in a car. What does this have to do with the environment and natural resources of Connecticut? Plenty. Highway traffic is a huge generator of exhaust emissions. But getting more cars and trucks off the highways will require moving people and freight by alternate means of transportation such as rail and water. It will require additional land, construction materials for building or rebuilding public parking facilities, improving railroad rights of ways with possible extensions and new marine docking facilities. And generate new conflicts with existing uses of land and water.

• The loss of farmland and land for the protection of public drinking water supplies through urban sprawl. Implementing "Smart Growth" to curb excessive loss of land in the countryside is a challenge on several fronts. Probably more regulation of land use; better and more coordinated planning, better administration of permitting processes, as well as a creative challenge for professionals to design projects in an attractive setting for higher density development near existing utility infrastructure and transportation hubs.

Check out our website and the schedule of rates for membership in NRCC. At all levels of membership it will be a worthwhile investment!

Sincerely,

Otto Schaefer, President

Natural Resources Council of Connecticut