Deal reached on Conn. River Blueway conservation

Hartford (AP) — An agreement has been reached on how to support the first national Blueway, which encompasses the entire Connecticut River watershed.

U.S. Interior Deputy Secretary David Hayes announced details Saturday in Hartford.

That department, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have entered into a memorandum of understanding in support of the Blueway.

The Connecticut River watershed received the unique designation in May, ensuring a national effort to preserve its natural beauty and maintain its health as an ecosystem.

The 7.2 million-acre watershed runs through four New England states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Hayes says revitalizing and reconnecting with the rivers that flow through communities is a great way to create jobs, strengthen local economies, enhance quality of life for citizens and provide close-to-home outdoor recreation opportunities for families.