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SB 167

AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR PLANS AND DESIGNS TO REMOVE OLD PAPERMILL POND DAM IN THE TOWN OF SPRAGUE.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cathy Osten

Connecticut authorizes state bonds for engineering plans to remove Papermill Pond Dam in Sprague, shifting from reactive infrastructure to planned assessment before full removal.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Finance, Revenue and Bonding
#dams #plans #sprague #statebondsfortheenvironment
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Bill Summary · SB 167

Legislative bill overview

SB 167 authorizes Connecticut to issue state bonds to fund planning and design work for removing the Papermill Pond Dam in Sprague. The bill does not fund the actual removal itself, only the preliminary engineering studies and architectural plans necessary to evaluate the project's feasibility and costs.

Why is this important

Dam removal projects address aging infrastructure that can pose safety risks and environmental concerns, including restoring natural river flow and aquatic habitat. Connecticut has numerous aging dams, so this bill's approach of funding design work before full removal represents a cautious, phased investment strategy that allows communities and planners to assess true costs before committing to major construction spending.

Potential points of contention

  • Bonding precedent: Using state bonds for design-only work (rather than full project completion) on a single town's infrastructure may set expectations for similar bond authorizations statewide, potentially affecting the state's debt obligations
  • Cost uncertainty: Without knowing design costs upfront, the bond amount is unspecified in this bill text, raising questions about fiscal planning and whether better estimates exist
  • Local vs. state responsibility: Questions about whether dam removal—especially for a private or locally-managed asset—should be funded by statewide bonding rather than town, federal, or private resources

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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