Aquifer Protection Agency

ORDINANCE DESIGNATING THE STONINGTON PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AS THE TOWN’S AQUIFER PROTECTION AGENCY


 

WHEREAS, Section 22a-354o of the Connecticut General Statutes ("C.G.S.") provides that each municipality in which an aquifer protection area is located shall authorize by ordinance an existing board or commission to act as an aquifer protection agency; and

 

WHEREAS, it has been determined that it is in the best interest of the Town of Stonington to designate the Planning and Zoning Commission as the Town’s aquifer protection agency.

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN OF STONINGTON THAT:

 

Section 1.      Designation and membership

 

(a)     In accordance with the provisions of C.G.S. 22a-354a, et seq., the Planning and Zoning Commission is hereby designated as the Aquifer Protection Agency (hereinafter the "Agency") of the Town of Stonington.  

 

(b)     Members of the Planning and Zoning Commission shall serve coexisting terms on the Agency.  The membership requirements of the Agency shall be the same as those of the Planning and Zoning Commission including, but not limited to the number of members, terms, method of selection and removal of members, and filling of vacancies.

 

(c)     At least one member of the Agency or staff of the Agency shall complete the course in technical training formulated by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection of the State of Connecticut, pursuant to C.G.S. § 22a-354v.

 

Section 2.      Regulations to be adopted

 

(a)     The Agency shall adopt regulations in accordance with C.G.S. § 22a-354p and R.C.S.A. § 22a-354i-3.  Said regulations shall provide for:

 

(i)     The manner in which boundaries of aquifer protection areas shall be established and amended or changed.

 

(ii)    Procedures for the regulation of activity within the area.

 

(iii)   The form for an application to conduct regulated activities within the area.

 

(iv)    Notice and publication requirements.

 

(v)     Criteria and procedures for the review of applications.

 

(vi)    Administration and enforcement.

 

Section 3.      Inventory of Land Use

 

(a)     In order to carry out the purposes of the Aquifer Protection Program, the Agency will conduct an inventory of land use within the area to assess potential contamination sources.

 

(b)     Not later than three months after approval by the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection of Level B Mapping of aquifers, the Agency will inventory land uses overlying the mapped zone of contribution and recharge areas of such aquifers in accordance with guidelines established by the Commissioner pursuant to C.G.S. § 22a-354f.  Such inventory shall be completed not more than one year after authorization of the Agency.  [C.G.S. § 22a-354e]

 

Adopted:  May 25, 2004
Effective:  June 12, 2004