The organization has a large network of pollution “watchdogs” a water quality team and lab as well as comprehensive legal and communication support.
Cronin and Kennedy helped guide the formation of the Connecticut Coastal Fishermen's Association and obtained legal representation for the group from the New York City law firm of Berel, Kass and Case.
The suit allege thousand of violations of the city's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit from their sewage treatment plant.
The settlement with Norwalk, CT, was divided between several local environmental improvement projects and a payment of $86,500.00 to start a full-time watchdog for Long Island Sound.
Using the settlement the Connecticut Coastal Fishermen's Association founded Soundkeeper, a full-time professional organization dedicated to the protection of Long Island Sound.
The "Keeper" concept of protecting the local environment would emerge from the work of Cronin and Backer and would soon be emulated in new organizations seeking to become "Waterkeepers".