2008 New England RC&D Association Regional Fall Conference

Visit the 2008 New England RC&D Association Regional Fall Conference Webpage
2008 New England Association Regional Fall Conference Registration Packet (pdf)

Calendar of Upcoming Events

Current News

2008 Eastern CT RC& Annual Meeting at the Connecticut River Museum in Essex, CT.

RC&D Funding Restored

In action late yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee provided $50.730 million for RC&D, the same as the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. The President had proposed no funding for the RC&D program in his FY09 budget. For more information go to the National RC&D Association Website.

Planning for Brownfield Reuse and Redevelopment Opportunites Brochure
Brochure (pdf)

South Branch Park River Groundbreaking Ceremony May 9, 2008

Greenway Journey Begins (Hartford Courant Article on the South Branch of the Park River Project)

FYI:The President's Budget for FY2009 Fails to Fund RC&D

The Connecticut ERT works under the guidance of the Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development Areas (RC&D's). The RC&D's are a federal and state sponsored program for the efficient and beneficial use of Connecticut's natural resources. The Eastern CT RC&D and ERT serves an 86 town area, and the King's Mark RC&D and ERT serves an 83 town region in western Connecticut. No funding for RC&D will impact the ERT program as well.

Excerpt from the National RC&D Website: RC&D Legislative Alert  February 23, 2008
Earlier this month, President Bush provided no funding for RC&D in his budget proposal.  This means that on October 1, the RC&D program will cease to exist.   Only Congress can help us now – and we must rally now to SAVE RC&D.  Congress must hear from us today and understand that their number one priority in the congressional appropriations process is to restore RC&D funds. If you haven’t written a letter to your Member of Congress, please do it this week.  Congress is determining its priorities now for funding and we need to let them know loud and clear that we need RC&D funding to continue and that we need $56 million for the program. Sample letters are available on our website.  You have heard the phrase “All politics is local.”  Members of Congress will only fight for programs when they hear from their constituents.  We need to be sure our elected officials understand what’s at stake with this Zero budget request for RC&D!  We must explain what RC&D programs and services our community will lose if the President’s budget is allowed to go through. Time is of the essence – if Congress does not hear from us now – we will not be able to restore funds to this program.   Don’t wait – Members determine their funding priorities for next fiscal year by mid-March.  If our message isn’t delivered today, we will lose a valuable program that has served our communities for over 40 years. Ask your Member of Congress to write the Chair and Ranking Member of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and fund RC&D at $56 million.  Keep in mind the Subcommittee is facing a deficit of about $1 billion in funding – and many programs will be competing for very limited funds.   To be successful EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER should be writing and calling today or RC&D will disappear on October 1,2008. Stay tuned for our alerts as we track the legislative process.  Let us know how we can help We need to request $56 Million for FY09 - please get those cards and letters to your Senators & Representatives by March 3rd. 

ERT Goes to Washington

Elaine and Amanda attended the February 2008 National RC&D DC Leadership Forum in Washington, DC. They also made visits to Capitol Hill to Connecticut Congressman and Senate Leaders letting them know about the importance of the RC&D and the ERT program. If you would like more information on this and other National RC&D Events checkout the National RC&D Website.