The lower Connecticut River from Middletown to Old Saybrook is a tidally influenced riverine lower perennial watercourse that bisects a landscape of relatively low density in the otherwise densely developed Northeast.  It is the only major river system on the Atlantic coast without a major port or urban center at its estuary. This long tidal river (the translation of its native American name) has reaches that contain biologically unique, diverse, productive, and ecologically sensitive natural communities.  It serves to link the land and sea as a migratory corridor for various birdlife, diadromous fish, and various mammals.  It is culturally sugnificant with a number of prehistoric, precolonial, and colonial sites recognized along its shores and within the adjacent watershed. It is host to a number of tourist destinations, state parks and natural areas, lies within the Silvio Conte National Widllife Refuge, and contains a number of culturally and historically significant resources along its shores.  The freshwater and brackish water tidal wetlands are exemplary communities in the region.  These communities,, and the tributary streams, shorelines, and open water areas associated with the river support a plethora of state and federal species of conservation concern including species listed on both the CT and Federal Endangered Species Acts.