Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection may utilize funds available for stormwater infrastructure for the purpose of acquiring conservation easements located along streams and rivers in the state, provided any such conservation easement requires the property owner to maintain a buffer along such stream or river in a vegetated condition. The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may determine the percentage of such funds to be utilized for the purposes described in this section. For purposes of this section, "vegetated condition" means the retention of native trees, shrubs and herbaceous cover in lieu of lawn, golf courses and athletic fields.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22a-NEW