April 19, 2023

Rep. O’Dea Votes To Rebuild Deforested Areas Along Connecticut Highways, Interstates

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The Tree Bill Will Require Replanting of Removed Trees Along Merritt Parkway

HARTFORD, CT – On Tuesday, Deputy House Minority Leader Tom O’Dea (R-125) voted to pass a substitute for HB 6744, dubbed the Tree Bill, through the Environment Committee. The bill passed the committee by a vote tally of 23-9 and is now referred to the Appropriations Committee for further action.

The bill would require the Department of Transportation to seek approval from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection before conducting any deforestation efforts and that the removed trees be replaced adjacent to where they were removed, or within five miles.

“Establishing a five-mile radius for reforestation does not sufficiently address the actual effects of the clear-cutting for taxpaying residents caused by constant construction and an ever-changing landscape,” Rep. O’Dea said. “But efforts to deforest have been drastic and something must be done to protect these families living along our state and federal highways, while also keeping road safety as a top priority. I have seen firsthand the effects of this deforestation. When speaking with our affected neighbors, they echo the concerns that we hear in the media of burdensome noise, a lack of privacy, and diminishing property values.”

News reports dating back to October 2022 indicate that residents are losing sleep from ongoing construction.

Rep. O’Dea continued, “This legislation is not perfect and in its current form and runs contrary to some financial guidelines, but I am confident that through intense debate that we can cause a policy sea change resulting in a better quality of life for our highway-adjacent neighbors. For now, this is a remedy to state-sanctioned deforestation.”

In March, Rep. O’Dea met with nearby residents to the tree removal project and the Department of Transportation in New Canaan to tour the construction and provide a local insight to the effects of the deforestation.

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Reps. O’Dea, Marra to Host Legislative Forum in Darien

HARTFORD – State Representatives Tracy Marra (R-141) and Deputy Republican Leader Tom O’Dea (R-125) are hosting residents from their districts for a legislative forum at the Darien Town Hall Room 119 on Tuesday, January 14th from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Residents of the 141st and 125th districts looking for information about the 2025-2027 legislative session, or with questions about state government, are encouraged […]

January 3, 2025

Rep. Tom O’Dea Announces Funding for Local Infrastructure Upgrades in Stamford

State Local Bridge Project allocation includes two projects in Stamford STAMFORD – On Thursday, State Representative Tom O’Dea announced a new allocation of state funding from the CT Dept. of Transportation (CTDOT) to improve locally-owned bridges across Connecticut. The $15.8 million funding injection through the State Local Bridge Project will benefit 18 projects in Connecticut, […]

July 12, 2024