The Honorable Art Rocque, Jr
Commissioner
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Office of Adjudications
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT
06106


Dear Mr. Commissioner:

I am writing in support of an appeal, submitted by Islander East, L.L.C. in the 
form of a request for a Declaratory Ruling,  to the Department of Environmental 
Protection to overturn the recent  decision by the Connecticut Department of 
Environmental Protection (DEP) to deny a Section 401 Water Quality permit to 
Islander East. I believe the Islander East natural gas pipeline proposal holds 
many benefits for the people of Connecticut and New York including cleaner air, 
greater economic growth and a new source of energy for our region.

For over two years, the Islander East Pipeline Company has been applying for 
permits to build a 49.9-mile, 24-inch natural gas pipeline from North Haven, 
Connecticut to Long Island. The gas line will bring fuel to approximately 
600,000 homes and is also expected to be used to fuel a new generation of power 
plants. The New York State Department of State recently issued its approval of 
Islander East's project, stating that it is "consistent" with the State's 
coastal zone management program, and that "further review...is not required."

On May 6th, 2004 the U.S. Department of Commerce approved the Islander East 
pipeline proposal and "concluded that the impact to shellfish habitat will be 
temporary in nature and limited in scope".

The new pipeline is crucial to future economic development on Long Island 
because growth in natural gas demand on the Island has been outpacing growth in 
supply for years. And while Long Island currently receives most of its natural 
gas from the American Southwest and Western Canada, the new pipeline would 
provide Long Island with gas from Eastern Canada for the first time.

I agree with Senator Hillary Clinton when she states "With respect to 
environmental concerns, Islander East will employ horizontal direct drilling 
(HDD) technology that minimizes the need to dig a trench in portions of the 
pipeline route. This HDD technology - which will be used for the maximum 
feasible distance of approximately 4,000 feet out from the Connecticut shoreline 
- allows Islander East to dig a single hole and tunnel underground horizontally, 
thereby minimizing environmental impacts. This technology has been praised by 
well-regarded environmental conservation organizations for helping to 
significantly reduce the pipeline's impact on core preservation areas."

I understand that the pipeline will be placed beneath the ocean floor, causing a 
minimum disturbance to near-shore shellfish beds and other environmentally 
sensitive areas. Construction activity will take place during winter months, 
when fish and shellfish are less active and less susceptible to disturbance.

I respectfully request that the Connecticut Department of Environmental 
Protection consider the appeal by Islander East and make a judgement in favor of 
their pipeline proposal.

Sincerely,