This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

Public Workshops Planned for the Lower Connecticut River Valley Regional Plan of Conservation and Development

The Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG) is developing its first-ever Regional Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). In support of the POCD, two workshops will be held to kick-off the plan process and obtain input from the public. The workshops will be held on Thursday, Aug. 17 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Westbrook Town Hall, 866 Boston Post Road, and Saturday, Sept. 16 beginning at 1 p.m. at Wesleyan University, Daniel Family Commons, Usdan University Center, 3rd Floor, 45 Wyllys Avenue, Middletown. The events will begin with an open house, followed by a brief presentation. After the presentation, attendees will be asked to participate in workshop activities designed to identity and help solve some of the region’s biggest challenges and build upon greatest strengths. Attendees will also have an opportunity to share their ideas and hear what others think.

The goal of this effort is to gather input from people who live and work in, as well as visit, the region. This input will help guide the development of the POCD, the region’s guiding document, designed and prepared to work alongside the State POCD and municipal plans. This will be the first POCD produced by RiverCOG following its formation from the merging of the Mid-State Regional Planning Agency and the Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency in 2012. State statutes require that the regional plan be reviewed and amended every 10 years.

In addition to the plan kickoff meetings, there will be additional public meetings in early and mid-2018 in order to review the plan as its being created and provide further opportunities for public comment.

In support of this effort, RiverCOG has also created a website, www.rivercogregionalplan.org, aimed at distributing information and gathering input from the region’s community.