Candelora, Scanlon Announce Grant for Lake Quonnipaug Clean-Up

Deputy Republican Leader Vincent Candelora (R-86), Representative Sean Scanlon (D- 98), and  Senator Ted Kennedy (D- 12) today announced that the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has authorized funding for the remediation of aquatic invasive species at Lake Quonnipaug. Candelora and Scanlon strongly advocated on behalf of the town’s application after meeting with dozens of concerned residents at a community meeting about the issue at the North Guilford Fire House in November. Guilford will receive $20,000 for the remediation project. Funds will be used to assist with remediation costs of invasive weeds that continue to grow uncontrollably in key recreational areas of Lake Quonnipaug. Specifically, the funds will be used to place padding down in the beach area to protect swimmers and keep the weeds under control, remediate weeds in other parts of the lake to ensure public safety. “Lake Quonnipaug is an important part of the greater Guilford community that is enjoyed by residents and visitors alike for recreation purposes and its natural beauty.  The remediation of the lake is of great importance to Guilford residents because the volume of weeds in the lake continues to increase and has become a public safety issue. The DEEP grant approved today is critical to ensuring that these weeds will be controlled so that people can go on enjoying the lake safely. I’m proud to have been a strong advocate for these necessary clean-up funds and I’m thrilled that the project has been approved. I also thank First Selectman Mazza for his work on the grant application. This is a win-win for our community and the environment,” said Rep. Candelora. “I’m extremely pleased to have worked with First Selectman Mazza and my colleagues to secure this important funding for the Town of Guilford. Lake Quonnipaug is a true treasure for not just the residents of our town but also the surrounding area and this funding will allow the town to make great progress mitigating the invasive weed issue that is proving to be very troublesome and frankly dangerous to swimmers, kayakers, and the lake itself,” added Rep. Scanlon. "Nuisance plant growth in Lake Quonnipaug has been accelerating in recent years, threatening make the lake unusable by local residents and the 20,000 people who go there every year for fishing, rowing, and recreation on the beach," said Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr. (D-Branford), Senate Chair of the Environment Committee. "I have been working with lakeshore residents, local officials and my colleagues on the Guilford legislative delegation to find a remedy for this growing problem. I am thankful to DEEP for their help in addressing the excessive weed and aquatic plant growth that is clogging Lake Quonnipaug's shores and bottom. With this new grant, we will be able to restore health to this vibrant ecosystem by removing the weeds that have been choking it for years." “I would like to express my appreciation to Reps. Candelora and Scanlon and Sen. Kennedy for attaining this grant from DEEP to help remediate the weeds in Lake Quonnipaug,” said Guilford First Selectman Joseph Mazza. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection awards funds for aquatic invasive species control and management projects on inland waters of Connecticut to conserve the state’s resources through the use of controlling and preventative measures.