An Integrated River Management Model: the Connecticut River Management Program

The state of Connecticut faces unprecedented demand for use of its rivers. Water diversions, waste dilution, recreation and wildlife values on the stateʹs streams are often in conflict. In an effort to balance use among these competing interests, the state has initiated an integrated approach to river management. ogram has two phases: conducting a rivers inventory and devising a comprehensive river management strategy. The primary goals of the inventory are to identify uses and characteristic of specific rivers, critical river issues and river segments of special significance. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection will then use this state-wide database to devise a river management strategy. aper gives a brief overview of integrated river management and then describes and analyzes the Connecticut program. The study addressed the following questions: what is integrated management? How and why was the Connecticut program initiated? What institutions were created to manage the program? How is the public involved? How is the state conducting the inventory and assessment? Can this program serve as a model for other river management programs?