Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut General Assembly Celebrate the Commission's 50th Anniversary
Lords Cove, Tom Walsh, Shoreline Aerial Photography
The next monthly Commission meeting will be on Thursday, December 7, 2023. See full schedule, agendas, and minutes.
Kathleen DeMeo
Why the River Zone Matters
Protecting the River Since 1973
The mission of the Connecticut River Gateway Commission is to preserve the aesthetic and ecological natural beauty of the lower Connecticut River valley for present and future generations.
Who We Are & What We Do
The Commission was established to preserve the scenic and ecological beauty of the lower Connecticut River valley.
Chester, East Haddam, Essex, Deep River, Haddam, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and RiverCOG representatives form the Commission’s membership.
Our mission is achieved through land protection and zoning standards adopted and enforced by those 8 towns.
American bittern
Our Approach
The Commission seeks to balance protection of the “natural and traditional riverway scene” with “constructive development and property use” as required by state law.
Our River
The Connecticut River, its tidelands, and its tributaries are recognized as among the most important natural, recreational, and scenic areas in the Northeast, and have been called one of the Western Hemisphere’s forty “Last Great Places.”
The Conservation Zone
The Commission’s responsibility is the land generally alongside the river, running from Haddam south to Long Island Sound. Various tributaries and coves are included within the Conservation Zone. A map details the exact zone.
What We Can Do Together
Caring for the river needs organizations and individuals working together. The Commission is proud to join with town governments, stewardship organizations, area professionals, and people who live along or enjoy the river.
What's New
Commissioner Emeritus Appointed
Dr. J. Melvin Woody was named the first Connecticut River Gateway Commissioner Emeritus Member at the regional organization’s October 2023 annual meeting. Melvin has represented…
Protect Migrating Birds
The Connecticut River Gateway Commission voted unanimously on September 28, 2023 to endorse a call by “Lights Out CT” to minimize all non-essential lights during…
50th Anniversary Reception at CT Audubon
A reception to celebrate the Connecticut River Gateway Commission’s 50th anniversary was held on August 3rd on the grounds of the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary…
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The Great Saybrook Bar
The Connecticut River is unique in that it is one of the few waterways in the developed world without a major industrial port city at its mouth. Unlike the Hudson River with New York Harbor, the Charles…
Bonamomi Property
24 Acres • Chester Partners: State of Connecticut For the love of the land and wildlife Local landowners and families often recognize the importance of…
Kathleen DeMeo
Feature Photo
Sunset over Back River, Old Lyme
Thank you Kathleen DeMeo for sharing your photo.