The inland wetlands and watercourses of the State of Connecticut
are an indispensable and irreplaceable but fragile natural resource
with which the citizens of the state have been endowed. The wetlands
and watercourses are an interrelated web of nature essential to an
adequate supply of surface and underground water; to hydrological
stability and control of flooding and erosion; to the recharging and
purification of groundwater; and to the existence of many forms of
animal, aquatic and plant life. Many inland wetlands and watercourses
have been destroyed or are in danger of destruction because of unregulated
use by reason of the deposition, filling or removal of material, the
diversion or obstruction of water flow, the erection of structures
and other uses, all of which have despoiled, polluted and eliminated
wetlands and watercourses. Such unregulated activity has had, and
will continue to have, a significant, adverse impact on the environment
and ecology of the state of Connecticut and has and will continue
to imperil the quality of the environment thus adversely affecting
the ecological, scenic, historic and recreational values and benefits
of the state for its citizens now and forever more. The preservation
and protection of the wetlands and watercourses from random, unnecessary,
undesirable and unregulated uses, disturbance or destruction is in
the public interest and is essential to the health, welfare and safety
of the citizens of the state. It is, therefore, the purpose of these
regulations to protect the citizens of the state by making provisions
for the protection, preservation, maintenance and use of the inland
wetlands and watercourses by minimizing their disturbance and pollution;
maintaining and improving water quality in accordance with the highest
standards set by federal, state or local authority; preventing damage
from erosion, turbidity or siltation; preventing loss of fish and
other beneficial aquatic organisms, wildlife and vegetation and the
destruction of the natural habitats thereof; deterring and inhibiting
the danger of flood and pollution; protecting the quality of wetlands
and watercourses for their conservation, economic, aesthetic, recreational
and other public and private uses and values; and protecting the state's
potable fresh water supplies from the dangers of drought, overdraft,
pollution, misuse and mismanagement by providing an orderly process
to balance the need for the economic growth of the state and the use
of its land with the need to protect its environment and ecology in
order to forever guarantee to the people of the state, the safety
of such natural resources for their benefit and enjoyment and for
the benefit and enjoyment of generations yet unborn.
These regulations shall be known as the "Inland Wetlands and
Watercourses Regulations of the Town of Canton."
The Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency of the Town of Canton
was established in accordance with Ordinance No. 106 and modified
by Ordinance 106A and 106B. The Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency
shall implement the purposes and provisions of these regulations and
the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act (§§ 22a-36
through 22a-45a of the Connecticut General Statutes) in the Town of
Canton.
These regulations have been adopted and may be amended, from
time to time, in accordance with the provisions of the Inland Wetlands
and Watercourses Act and these regulations.
The Agency shall enforce the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses
Act and shall issue, issue with terms, conditions, limitations or
modifications, or deny permits for all regulated activities in the
Town of Canton pursuant to §§ 22a-36 to 22a-45a, inclusive,
of the Connecticut General Statutes.
