Hunting Protections Underway for Salt Meadows Sanctuary

The following is a press release from Senator Ed Meyer's office:

Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) and Representative Patricia Widlitz (D-Guilford) praised the passage of a piece of legislation they championed that will protect wildlife sanctuaries by prohibiting hunting on adjacent properties. On Monday, HB 6305 was passed by the Environment Committee, where Senator Meyer serves as Co-Chair. The legislation was initially introduced by Representative Widlitz after several Guilford residents contacted her and Senator Meyer to request it.

“Connecticut’s wildlife preserves are meant to ensure the safety of the animals that dwell within, and this legislation seeks to ensure that remains the case,” said Senator Meyer. “It was my pleasure to cast a vote in support of this effort to protect our state sanctuaries.”

“This bill is in response to complaints from our constituents in Guilford, who were alarmed about hunting adjacent to National Audubon’s Guilford Salt Meadows Sanctuary,” said Representative Widlitz. “Our intent is not an outright ban to hunting but to allow state environmental officials to make decisions on restrictions in areas where it is appropriate.”

Guilford residents complained that hunters were shooting from boats or in shallow water in the East River, which is just adjacent to the Salt Meadows Sanctuary. They expressed concern with the disruptive sound of gunshots near their homes, and the fear that hunters were endangering wildlife within the boundaries of the sanctuary.

This bill will allow the Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to take into account the proximity of a wildlife sanctuary when hearing complaints regarding hunting. It will not result in an outright ban, but gives the Commissioner the ability to restrict hunting when and where appropriate in order to protect Connecticut’s wildlife.

Now that HB 6305 has received a successful public hearing and been passed by the Environment Committee, its next step is to appear for a vote before the Connecticut House of Representatives.