Pilot program for lake preservation

The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall: (1) Designate a lake located in two or more municipalities and Bantam Lake in Morris and Litchfield to be the subject of a program of preservation which may serve as a pilot program for the preservation and enhancement of the historic, cultural, recreational, economic, scenic, public health and environmental value of lakes in this state; (2) Encourage partnerships and agreements with municipalities which are contiguous to the lakes and, to the greatest extent practicable under law, direct programs, grants and technical assistance so as to provide environmental support to the lakes; (3) Coordinate state and municipal activities and resources to preserve, protect and restore the lakes and their shorelines; (4) Provide access to existing scientific data and information relating to the lakes, their shorelines and watershed areas to the municipalities in which they are located; (5) Cooperate with such municipalities to promote and encourage public use and enjoyment of the resource for all lawful purposes consistent with achievement of the other goals set forth in this section; (6) Provide, upon request of such municipalities, an agency representative to whom they may communicate goals and needs and who shall facilitate communication and interaction between such municipalities and the state; and (7) Cooperate with the contiguous municipalities in any efforts to protect and preserve the character of the lakes designated pursuant to subdivision (1) of this section.