Sec. 25-235. Approval of management plan by municipalities, commissioner. Revisions to plan.

(a) A river corridor management plan adopted by a river commission pursuant to section 25-234 shall be submitted to the legislative bodies of the municipalities participating in such commission for their approval. Following the approval of all of such legislative bodies, a river commission may apply to the commissioner for approval of a map adopted pursuant to subsection (d) of section 25-234 and a river corridor management plan prepared pursuant to said subsection. An application under this section shall include, in addition to such map and plan, the inventory and statement of objectives adopted pursuant to subsection (d) of section 25-234, the report prepared pursuant to subsection (e) of section 25-234, and the response to comments prepared pursuant to subsection (f) of section 25-234. The river commission shall submit a copy of the application to the secretary.

(b) In deciding whether to approve such a map and plan, the commissioner shall consider: (1) Whether such inventory, statement of objectives, map, response to comments and plan were completed in accordance with the requirements of section 25-234; (2) whether the inventory accurately identifies all resources and all existing and potential uses within the local drainage basin; (3) whether the river corridor management plan would, if implemented, adequately protect, preserve and enhance such resources, particularly those ranked high in the state rivers assessment database; (4) whether such plan would, if implemented, balance competing uses within the river corridor and reasonably allow for aquatic habitat protection, land and water usage including potable water supply, agriculture, transportation, recreation and improvements essential for public health, safety and welfare; (5) whether the river corridor identified in the map adopted pursuant to subsection (d) of section 25-234 comprises sufficient land and water area to allow implementation of the river corridor management plan; (6) whether the river commission adequately responded to public comments on the river corridor management plan; (7) whether such plan is consistent with the water quality standards adopted pursuant to section 22a-426; (8) the comments submitted to the secretary pursuant to subsections (d) and (f) of section 25-234; and (9) any other information the commissioner deems relevant.

(c) If the secretary finds that any provision of a river corridor management plan submitted to him in accordance with subsection (a) of this section conflicts with a program, policy or proposed activity of any state agency, he shall forward a copy of such plan to the commissioner and identify such conflict. The secretary shall act in coordination with the commissioner, the affected state agency and any other interested persons to attempt to resolve the conflict. If the secretary recommends modifications to the map or the river corridor management plan to resolve any such conflicts, the commissioner shall not approve the plan until it has been revised in accordance with the secretary's recommendations.

(d) The commissioner's approval of a map and river corridor management plan shall be in writing and shall be filed with the chief elected official of each member municipality and the river commission. If the commissioner rejects such map or plan, he shall do so in writing, clearly explaining the reasons for rejection. The river commission whose map or plan has been rejected by the commissioner may submit to him a revised map or river corridor management plan.

(e) Any revision to a map or river corridor management plan approved or rejected by the commissioner pursuant to this section shall be prepared and submitted in accordance with the requirements of sections 25-234 and 25-235 for the original submittal. A revision of an approved river corridor management plan shall not be effective until such revision has been approved by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(f) The commissioner may periodically review a map and river corridor management plan approved pursuant to this section and recommend revisions. The river commission shall review a map and plan so approved at least once every five years after their approval, and shall revise such map or plan as appropriate and in accordance with the requirements of section 25-234.

(P.A. 95-333, S. 6.)