The 1987 Environmental 2OOO: Connecticut's Environmental Plan established both a long and short term environmental agenda for the state and local governments, business and industry, and the public over the course of five years. This long-range Plan identified the State's environmental goals necessary for the achievement of a quality environment for the state, defined measurable near-term objectives and implementation management strategies. Environmental 2OOO: Connecticut's Environmental Plan is a public document drafted through a process involving a citizens environmental advisory board, DEP staff, and public input. The Environment/2000 Plan is authorized by the General Assembly and approved by the Governor. Environment/2000 was first adopted by the Governor in September of 1987 and has a statutory requirement for revision every five years. This marks the first revision for Environmental 2OOO: Connecticut's Environmental Plan.

Environment/2000 is a broad and far-reaching plan. It describes courses of action for everyone - for elected officials, for state agencies, for conservation organizations, for educators, for business and industry, and most importantly, for the individua l citizen. In this report, you will find broad goals, objectives and strategies for identifying, approaching and solving environmental problems. These goals, objectives and strategies have been determined to be the most critical for our well-being and q uality of life. They are presented to you, the citizens of Connecticut in a spirit of openness, cooperation and optimism.

In June 1991 the Department of Environmental Protection undertook an internal review of the 1987 Plan and made revisions to the 42 existing issues and to the goals and objectives, status and trends, and to the management strategies. At the same time a S teering Committee was appointed from members of the Commissioner's Environment/2000 Advisory Board to oversee the 1992 Environment/2000 revision process. They established and chaired four subcommittees which were composed of the remaining Advisory Board members who reviewed, revised, and rewrote the Plan. This Plan was then brought to the citizens of the State for discussion, evaluation and further clarification.

In the spring of 1992 a series of five public meetings occurred throughout the State seeking public comment on the proposed revision of Environmental 2000: Connecticut's Environmental Plan. A response form was also included in the document. This process afforded concerned individuals the opportunity to be heard and to make a difference. This participation was incorporated into and is reflected by the 1992 edition of the Environment/ 2000 Plan. It was one way to ensure that Environment/2000 is an expression of what the people of Connecticut want to see achieved in the State. The 1992 Environment/2000 Plan has grown in the number of issues it originally contained, addressing many new environmental areas of concern.

In this Plan are fifty-two issues, with broad goals and strategies for identifying, approaching and solving the emerging environmental problems of the 1990's, while continuing to address our existing issues. These goals and strategies have been identifi ed by the Environment/2000 Advisory Board as the most critical to achieving a clean environment and high quality of life. The issues relate to pollution control, resource preservation and management, and services. They focus on such basic goals as clean er air, improved quality of Long Island Sound, and increased environmental education opportunities, while providing for continuing environmentally sound, economic growth. These issues will be the basis for the Department's budgetary allocation and legisl ative proposals.

During the next five years the process will continue to seek regular, annual undertakings of the Department of Environmental Protection in which Environment/2000 will be used as a guide for proposed legislation, budget submissions, program implementation and tracking. This document will serve as an environmental standard like its predecessor, for the next five years.

Environment/2000 presents a clear definition of the Department of Environmental Protection's mission and goals and provides a challenge and a direction to all other organizations that have an impact on Connecticut's environment. It has set a unified and comprehensive direction for the Department since 1987 and has assisted in identifying legislative and budgetary priorities, and will continue to be the environmental rallying point for Connecticut's citizens.