Conn. council seeks public's ideas for environment

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- The Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality wants the public's help in coming up with recommendations for new environmental legislation to be addressed in the next session of the General Assembly.

The council is holding a forum on Nov. 28 at the Legislative Office Building. Written submissions will also be accepted.

State law requires the council to recommend legislation each year that remedies "the deficiencies of existing programs and activities." Barbara Wagner, the council's chair, said it's useful to get input from interested and knowledgeable people before formally submitting recommendations to the legislature and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

She said many of the group's draft recommendations focus on the basics, such as adequate funding for the Clean Water Fund, farmland and open space preservation. Others stem from problems reported by citizens.