4. Connecticut's air, water, and land resources will be restored and maintained at adopted health and environmental standards.

4a. Number of days per year all CT residents breathe healthy air
Explanation: The target represents the number of days in which no air quality monitors within the state record a violation of the primary standards for ambient air concentrations of sulfur oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, photochemical oxidants, nitrogen dioxide, lead and dioxin. Discussion: The target, 365 days by the year 2007, is a federal requirement established in the Clean Air Act Data Sources: CT DEP -- Air Management Bureau

4b. Percentage reduction of ozone precursors from 1990 levels
Explanation: The federal Clean Air Act requires an 15% reduction in VOC by 1996 and a three percent per year reduction thereafter until the standard is met. To attain the standard in Connecticut may require a 75% reduction from 1990 base levels. The information and computer modeling necessary to establish the measure for regulatory purposes are still not available. Discussion: Target is a federal requirement established in the Clean Air Act. Presently the southwestern region of the state, which for clean air purposes is a part of the New York City metropolitan area, has the third worst air quality in the nation with respect to ground level ozone. The balance of the state is the eleventh worst area in the nation in ozone pollution. Data Sources: DEP develops emission inventory for point, area, and mobile sources based on engineering criteria and growth factors from Connecticut OPM, Connecticut DOE, and U.S. BEA.

4c. Percentage of surface waters that have attained adopted standards: Rivers miles that are clean enough for fishing and swimming; shoreline and estuary areas supporting designated uses, and number of municipalities with combined sewer overflow problem
Explanation: There are 894 miles of the larger, targeted rivers and streams in CT that are monitored for attainment of their adopted standards. In addition, water quality standards have been adopted for all coastal area. Presently a percentage of these rivers and coastal areas experience a water quality that is below their adopt standard. Thirdly, while few municipalities have combined storm and sanitary sewer systems, these systems are generally located in the built-up downtown area of the state's larger cities and represent a consider investment to remediate. While the pollution from these combined system affects the rivers and coastal waters of the state and are reflected in the targets for these areas, the problem is of such a magnitude that a separate target is warranted. Discussion: This benchmark will determine the rate that Connecticut's major rivers and streams achieve environmental standards of fishable and swimmable conditions (Class B or better). Data Sources: DEP -- 305(b) reprt

4d. Percentage of state where the groundwater quality must be improved
Explanation: Acres of land where the current groundwater quality does not meet the adopted standard for that area as a percentage of the area of the state. Discussion: This benchmark will determine the extent of the area in which groundwater does not meet adopted goals. Classification maps from which this benchmark could be measured are revised every 5 years or so and then basin by basin. Data Sources: DEP -- Water Quality Standards and Classification. Mapping of groundwater water quality classifications should be completed July 1995. However, baseline conditions also need to assessed statewide and converted into a GIS database in order to determine baseline conditions and from which to establish targets.

4e. Percentage of the degraded lakes with improving water quality
Explanation: This benchmark is based on the 105 lakes that have significant recreational use. Lakes are periodically assessed to determine their water quality status and to recommend eutrophication mitigation measures. Although some data exists for all 105 lakes, there are insufficient resources to routinely assess and update their status. Fifty-seven of the 105 lakes have not been assessed since 1980. Approximately 20 lakes will have baseline trophic data collected and assessed every 2 years using federal funds. Discussion: This benchmark will determine the ecological conditions and health of the 105 significant recreational lakes in Connecticut Data Sources: DEP/305(b)

4f. Percentage reduction of nitrogen load to Long Island Sound
Explanation: The targets based upon federal and state adoption of the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan. This plan has assessed the water quality and circulation patterns in an effort to reduce in particular the season oxygen depletion condition that are occurring in the Sound due to high amount of nitrogen that is introduced by human activities. Discussion: The success of restoring Long Island Sound to the conditions that will support traditional life forms year around depends upon maintaining satisfactory levels of dissolved oxygen throughout the Sound. To accomplish this requires a significant reduction in the amount of nitrogen entering the Sound. As a result, the reduction in nitrogen loads is used as a benchmark for progress toward restoring healthful conditions in the Sound. As modeling studies are not yet complete, the targets are preliminary. Data Sources: DEP -- Long Island Sound modeling studies.

4g. Number of reported non-transportation spills, releases and improper disposal events
Explanation: Number of events reported to DEP by responsible parties. Federal reporting requirements will be changing as of January 1995. These changes and the inability to enforce compliance make it difficult to effectively set targets at the present time. Discussion: This benchmark provides a measure of the degree to which the environment is being subjected to potential environmental degradation. Data Sources: DEP -- Reported spill, releases and improper disposal events.

4h. Percentage of facilities operating in substantial compliance with state and federal environmental regulations and standards: solid or hazardous waste management facilities, and major surface water discharges
Explanation: Non-compliance is defined using the criteria established by U.S. EPA for significant non-compliance reporting. Discussion: Slightly less than 10% of all major NPDES permitted facilities (total = 121.55 industrial .66 municipal) in Connecticut failed to consistently meet permit effluent limitations and conditions. The evaluation period was for the more recent data available; i.e., July '93 through June '94. Data Sources: Quarterly noncompliance report to the federal government.