Submitted to the Environment Committee

February 27, 2008

By
Sandra Maier Schede

Good day. My name is Sandy Maier Schede. I'm Legislative Committee Chairman of the Connecticut Association of REALTORS®, which is comprised of 19,000 members statewide.

A popular slogan today is "responsible growth". It's supposed to be a process for preserving Connecticut's natural treasures while fostering economic development and livable communities.

Senate Bill 362 - - the riverfront protection bill - - is not responsible growth. Drawing an arbitrary "no growth" line in the dirt that's 100 feet from a stream's high water mark… and then extending it up-and-down both sides of the stream, no matter how far it runs, is not responsible growth. What it does is halt a great deal of potential economic activity, deprives property owners use of their own land to a significant degree, and expands government red tape in land matters already heavily regulated.

I realize the bill contains a list of "Permitted - as - of - Right Uses" which include "the continuous use, repair, maintenance or replacement of an existing structure… provided the replacement… does not exceed the (existing) footprint." This still would prohibit adding a "mother-in-law" apartment or a shed on the owner's land.

There are plenty of existing regulatory programs on the books now to protect streams, rivers, and other watercourses. These include DEP's Nonpoint Source Management, the Greenways Small Grant Program, the Flood Management Program, and of course our very demanding Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act. The latter Act protects streams and rivers from a destructive act occurring not just within 100 feet of the stream, but virtually anywhere.

Finally, as a former elected City Council Member. I can tell you that SB 362 is another unfunded mandate on the towns, since the bill adds to the jurisdiction and tasks of municipal wetlands agencies.

In regard to HB 5603: Expanding the Power of Wetlands Agencies. REALTORS® view this as not being a well-balanced bill toward property owners submitting applications. We urge that neither bill be approved.

Thank you… Are there any questions?