George Benson

George Benson, an aquatic biologist and environmental planner, brings 40 years of academic, private sector, and municipal experience in scientific research, environmental impact assessments of proposed developments, watershed management, stormwater management, land use conservation, and planning.  George was a founder of the Connecticut Federation of Lakes and the Pootatuck Watershed Association.  George retired after 18 years as Director of Planning in Newtown, CT. His responsibilities included zoning and wetland enforcement, interpretation of land use and environmental laws, coordinating court cases, including successful challenges to railroad and water company claims of immunity from local land use regulations.  Previously, he was employed as a limnologist at Western CT State University and at various private companies, where he conducted lake/river studies, watershed management and environmental impact assessments.  He was the Principal Investigator for a twenty-two year aquatic weed density survey and water quality study on Ball Pond, CT, documenting the effectiveness and water quality impacts of a grass carp introduction for aquatic weed control.  George holds a bachelors degree in environmental biology and a masters degree in limnology and oceanography.  George has lived in Connecticut his entire life and a second home in Narragansett, RI for 18 years. He enjoys Scarborough State Beach with his family and reading historical non-fiction, especially American History.