Environment Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6384
AN ACT CONCERNING AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES' EFFECTS ON LAKES
Title: AND RELATED FUNDING.
Vote Date: 3/12/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 2/10/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Rep. Dorinda Borer, 115th Dist.
REASONS FOR BILL:
Draw down Lake Beseck three feet during even number years and six feet during odd
numbered years during late fall and early winter. The drawdown is designed to balance
various usages of the lake to include recreational, lakefront infrastructure, fisheries and other
habitat concerns as raised by Lake Beseck Environment Committee.
Waterways in Connecticut have become overwhelmed by invasive aquatic species. Fees
generate from the Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp Act account can be dispersed from the
Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account as grants to municipalities and
not-for-profit organizations in accordance with CGS 14-21aa.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Gregory J. Bugbee, Principal Investigator, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Invasive Aquatic Plant Program
Studies by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Invasive Aquatic Plant Program
have shown:
Winter lake drawdown is a method of controlling lake weeds that is effective, cost
efficient, and does not rely on chemical weed killers.
Studies on lakes that utilize winter draw down, such as Candlewood Lake, finds that
optimal vegetation control occurs when the sediment can dry and freeze. In a typical
 winter this may or may not occur, but chances increase with the length of time the lake
is drawn down particularly during January.
Supports the request to change statute to draw down Lake Beseck.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Edward Bailey, First Selectman, Town of Middlefied
Lake Beseck is owned by the state of Connecticut and is deemed a recreational area. The
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) "has vey little oversight or active
management" of the lake. The town of Middlefield has provided significant personnel and
monetary resources to oversee Lake Beseck. Middlefield has employed a limnologist for the
last 8 years. Summer 2020, the aquatic plant population elicited significant complaints from
the community regarding recreational activities.
The lake is maintained by DEEP in accordance with statute and the statue needs to be
amended for the recommended draw downs for Lake Beseck as recommended by the
limnologist to address aquatic invasive species.
Denis Raap, First Selectman, Town of Litchfield
Bantam lake is an important to the Litchfield community and visitors for many recreational
activities. HB6384 requires DEEP to report on the Stamp Program to determine if revenues
generated are enough to provide grants to municipalities and not-for-profits to eradicate
aquatic invasive species.
HB6497 requests DEEP to develop recommendations for "additional means for funding
projects to control or eradicate aquatic invasive species by municipalities and lake
authorities".
Betsy Gara, Executive Director, Connecticut Council of Small Towns
The Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp Act created a user fee fund approach to respond to
invasive aquatic species that impact water quality, recreational use and property values.
HB66384 requires DEEP to report annually the amount of revenues generated and the
success of help to municipalities and lake authorities. HB6384 requires deep to identify other
potential funding mechanisms to create a sustained effort in the fight of invasive aquatic
species.
James Berardino, Director Legislative Advocacy, Connecticut Council of Small Towns
In support of Ed Bailey, First Selectman, Middlefield, Connecticut Council of Small Towns
(COST) requests the statute be amended to allow the six-foot draw down of Lake Beseck.
Page 2 of 3 HB-6384
The Environment Committee received in excess of 15 testimonials in support of HB6384.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None
Reported by: Steve Smith` Date: 3/23/2021
Page 3 of 3 HB-6384


Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
ENV Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 201:
File No. 632:
Public Act No. 21-12: