GOAL:
Promote State and local government and regional coordination to achieve statewide environmental goals.

OBJECTIVE:
Develop shared management responsibilities between State and local governments in implementing environmental protection programs.

STATUS & TRENDS:
Without a cooperative effort between State, local and regional agencies, environmental needs will not be satisfied. Local officials are assuming increased responsibilities for the implementation of environmental programs without adequate resource suppor t, and there is an increasing awareness of the need for broad participation in addressing environmental issues. Further, management of natural resource activities at state, local and regional levels is inconsistent and assistance and guidance to local go vernments and agencies are inadequate.

STRATEGIES:

1. Improve, coordinate and expand State support to local governments, including technical assistance, financial support, regulatory and educational programs.
2. Coordinate federal, State and local environmental protection implementation strategies.
3. Implement the delegation of State authority as provided by the Connecticut state statutes.
4. Ensure non-duplication of environmental responsibility within State government.
5. Pass legislation requiring training for local inland wetland commissioners.
6. Continue to promote intra-and inter-state agency round table meetings to improve staff communication and coordination.
7. Publish a permitting process primer to help municipalities coordinate town projects involving multi-agencies permitting.
8. Utilize the Conservation and Development Policies Plan for Connecticut in efforts to assure consistency of State, regional and local development planning activities.