Hartford - Lt. Governor M. Jodi Rell and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Arthur J. Rocque, Jr. on May11 awarded approximately $8.3 million in grants to secure 1,564 acres in 28 towns as part of Governor John G. Rowland’s Open Space Acquisition Program. This is the largest single award of grants since the program began in 1998. The grant program is essential to achieving the state’s 21 percent open space goal first set by Governor Rowland in 1998.

The 40 properties, in 28 towns, reflect a diversity of natural landscapes including tidal marshes, major wetlands, farmlands, woodlands, greenways, scenic vistas, links to state parks, municipal parks and open space parcels within a city. The amount of land ranges from the smallest parcel of .157 acres in Stamford to the largest parcel of 199 acres in Roxbury.

Towns awarded grants span the state including: Chaplin, Enfield (2), Farmington (3), Guilford (2), Killingworth (3), Litchfield, Lyme (2), Madison, Mansfield, Marlborough, Meriden (3), Middlefield, North Haven, Old Saybrook, Roxbury (2), Salem, Sharon, Simsbury (2), Southington, Stamford (2), Stratford, Thompson, Vernon, Wallingford, Warren, Waterford, Westbrook and Wilton.

"With today’s announcement of open space grants, Connecticut furthers its commitment to preserving our open land and offers all of its citizens the opportunity to

have access to its many natural resources," said Lt. Governor Rell. "The state of

Connecticut is pleased to award nearly $8.3 million in grant money to municipalities,

land trusts, conservation commissions and various state conservation organizations in order to ensure that natural resources and critical habitat areas remain preserved for years and generations to come."

The fifth round of grants awarded today increases open space in Connecticut by over 1,500 acres. In the first four rounds of grants awarded in 1999 and in February of 2000, the DEP awarded approximately $20.5 million for 92 open space projects totaling 7,084 acres. This land is an addition to the approximately 7,000 acres purchased directly by the state in 1999 and 2000. The fifth round of grant highlights include:

Old Saybrook – the Old Saybrook Land Trust will acquire a one acre parcel at the mouth of the Connecticut River located on Saybrook Point. The acquisition, buffering Long Island Sound, would become incorporated into Fort Saybrook Monument Park, which offers passive recreation, a historical site and environmental education opportunities. This parcel is the last remaining undeveloped riverfront parcel at Saybrook Point.

Roxbury – the Roxbury Land Trust will acquire 199 acres. The large farm area is comprised of second growth forest with 21 identified natural plant communities, 20% wetland and a significant vernal pool. The parcel will become known as the "Baldwin Preserve." Abutting three other Land Trust properties, it will interconnect a total of 220 acres for the preserve.

Thompson – the Nature Conservancy and the Wyndham Land Trust will acquire 84 acres which, together with existing Land Trust property, would protect over 90% of the frontage on Lower Pond and preserve 2000 feet of frontage on the Five Mile River. Primarily composed of wetland and some upland habitats, the site hosts a known great blue heron rookery and is home to several rare plant and insect species. This parcel is one of the few properties acquired for open space protection in northeast Connecticut.

"The 40 recipients who have been awarded grants today are assisting the state’s efforts to expand and protect natural areas and provide recreational opportunities. These purchases will ensure that residents across the state will enjoy special places in their communities for generations," said DEP Commissioner Rocque. "This grant program is an opportunity for organizations at the local level to call the state’s attention to locally important pieces of land, which are rich in natural significance, and should remain preserved."

Grant applicants submit projects that add to their community’s open space, enhance recreation, protect unique geographical features or assist long-term acquisition plans of a community or region. Upon deciding on the projects at the local level, applicants submit them to the DEP for funding. All applications are judged on the basis of the criteria and scoring system established for the program by the DEP and are reviewed by the Natural Heritage, Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Review Board. The Board is a statutorily created group established to advise the DEP on open space matters.

The state’s overall goal, first set forth by Governor Rowland, and later enacted into law by the General Assembly in 1998, is to preserve 21 percent of Connecticut’s land as open space by the year 2023, a total of 673,210 acres. The initiative includes ten percent of open space to be state owned, with the remaining eleven percent owned by municipalities, private nonprofit land conservation organizations and water companies.

The property has frontage on Bear Hill Road and Canada Lane. The parcel will link to an existing state owned parcel having 1000 feet of frontage on the Natchaug River. The property is in close proximity to "Diana’s Pool."

The property abuts Class One water company land owned by the Connecticut Water Company as well as other publicly owned open space land. The parcel contains a pond and marsh area.

This project is the acquisition of two non-abutting separate parcels. "French 1" is a 7.148-acre parcel with frontage on the Scantic River. A portion of the land is within a Level B acquifer protection area. "French 2" is 300 feet away and abuts a 130-acre parcel owned by the Town of Enfield. The parcel has four acres of previously cultivated land that abuts a farm.

This parcel includes part of the lower western slope of the traprock ridge. This property will provide linkages to existing protected open space. Proposed use of this property is for trails and as a connector to the Metacomet trail.

This parcel is located atop the Talcott traprock ridge. It contains the ridgeline, ridge top and portions of the eastern slop of this ridge. The Metacomet Trail runs along and through this property. The parcel will also serve as a linkage to an existing 61 acres of town-owned land. This parcel is submitted to compliment another submittal, Lot 23, Poplar Bars.

This property is on the dipslope of the Talcott traprock ridge and will provide linkages to current town-owned open space.

This property abuts 647 acres of existing preserved land that the Town of Madison acquired and will become part of a 965 acre contiguous open space block. The parcel is heavily forested, included in the watershed of the Coginchaug River and has intermittent stream and vernal pools.

Acquisition of this parcel would complement 100 acres of existing open space owned by the Guilford Land Trust and provide access to a section of the West River.

This acquisition will provide a linkage to five parcels owned or protected as open space. The land can be classified as Class I or II because it is located in the watershed of the Hammonasset Reservoir. Acquisition would protect the water quality in Bunker Hill Brook and Hammonasset River, tributaries to public drinking water. This property is part of a family farm.

This property is part of a 133+ acre purchase by the Town of Killingworth. The 80.6 acres will remain as protected undisturbed open space. The remaining portion would be used for active recreation. The property abuts Cockaponset State Forest. The property was used for agricultural purposes until the mid-1970s. A portion of the property is within the watershed for the Connecticut Water Company's reservoir in Killingworth.

The area in which this property is located is clearly marked as a "cranberry bog." The environmental conditions related to this type of area provide a significant habitat for eight vegetative species that are either Endangered or of Special Concern. The surrounding land supports several species of concern. A portion of the property will continue to be used for agricultural use. Other uses of this property include a seasonal skating pond.

Located in the center of Litchfield, the property borders the historic district and includes a half-mile of frontage on Bantam River. The property also contains a plant of "Special Concern (Historic)," habitat for the woodcock and ruffed grouse, and agricultural land. The property is between Topsmead State Forest and White Memorial Preserve aiding in the linkage of these two facilities.

Acquisition of this property will help protect The Nature Conservancy’s Selden Creek Preserve, which is a state Natural Area Preserve containing tidal marsh systems and associated rare and endangered species. Selden Creek is an important habitat for migratory waterfowl as well as anadramous fish including the Atlantic Salmon. Additionally the property will aid in the protection of the upland slope surrounding Sim Creek.

Acquisition of this property will protect The Nature Conservancy’s Whalebone Cove Preserve, which is an exemplary tidal marsh system with associated high ground and rare and endangered species. The property is located within 800 feet of Gillette Castle State Park. The site contains 850 feet of the Hemlock Valley Brook, and 1.7 acres of tidal marsh.

This property will provide linkage to open space along four borders. Among the abutting owners are the Regional Water Authority’s Neck River watershed and an area known as the White Cedar Swamp. The property is divided into 45 acres of 60 to 90 year old upland forest and 25 acres of lowland forest and wetland, several rock cliff escarpments, streams and a red maple swamp.

This property lies within the Class II Willimantic Reservoir water supply watershed. Acquisition of this property will close a gap between the Chapin Parcel and Mansfield Hollow State Park, protect a 1/2 mile, 50-80 foot high ledge know as "Coney Rock" (significant scenic ridgeline), enhance and conserve a section of the Fenton River and protect some former agricultural land. The Olsen property also provides a direct link from the Nipmuck Trail to the Chapin Property.

The property will become part of a 134 acre green area. This area would be used for open space and watershed (Blackledge River) and future water supply location, passive recreation and environmental education. One acre of the property would be deeded to the school for expansion. Existing on this property is a vernal pool, red maple swamp and a major feeder stream to the Salmon River via the Lyman Brook and Blackledge River.

This acquisition is one of three proposed by Meriden. The 5 acres of this parcel, lie in Berlin. The property will expand the City's 1800 acre Hubbard Park, creating a massive greenway stretching from West Peak to Cathole Mountain and will add to Merimer Reservoir Watershed Properties. This proposal is consistent with the Metacomet Ridge Conservation Compact.

This acquisition is one of three proposed by Meriden. The 10 acres of this parcel, lie in Berlin. The property will expand the City's 1800 ac. Hubbard Park, creating a massive greenway stretching from West Peak to Cathole Mountain and add to Merimer Reservoir Watershed Properties. This proposal is consistent with the Metacomet Ridge Conservation Compact. For evaluation purposes the three parcels submitted for this grant round will be considered one project.

This acquisition is one of three proposed by Meriden. The 1.5 acres of this parcel, lie in Berlin. The property will expand the City's 1800 ac. Hubbard Park, creating a massive greenway stretching from West Peak to Cathole Mountain and add to Merimer Reservoir Watershed Properties. This proposal is consistent with the Metacomet Ridge Conservation Compact. For evaluation purposes the three parcels submitted for this grant round will be considered one project.

This parcel abuts DEP land as well as other protected lands. Its acquisition would add to the Coginchaug River Greenway. The parcel has 150 feet of frontage on the river accessible for fishing and 578 feet of road frontage (Strickland Rd.), generally made up of fields. The property has ten acres of wetland and floodplain. Thirty percent of the property is prime farmland.

This former dairy farm includes inland wetlands, rolling hills and several forested acres. The site would become a link to nearly 200 acres of preserved open space including Peter's Rock Park.

Located on Saybrook Point, the parcel would protect 373 feet of river frontage on the Connecticut River buffering Long Island Sound. The acquisition would become incorporated into Fort Saybrook Monument Park, a passive recreational area with historical and environmental education. This parcel is the last remaining undeveloped riverfront parcel at Saybrook Point.

This is one of two acquisitions for the Roxbury Land Trust. Made up of two parcels of approximately 79 and 129 acres each, the proposal will complement, link and protect a total of 491 acres. The owner will retain the complex of house and barns comprising approximately 10 acres. With elevations ranging from 870 to 625 feet and about 60 acres in active farming, the parcel comprises considerable ecological diversity.

This is the second of the two acquisitions for the Roxbury Land Trust. Made up of second growth forest, twenty-one identified natural plant communities, twenty- percent wetland and significant vernal pool complexes this parcel would become the "Baldwin Preserve." Abutting three other Land Trust properties this space will interconnect a total of 220 acres for this preserve.

This primarily wooded property contains a large pond and wetlands around the Eightmile River. The property abuts DEP Property. Acquisition will protect 850 feet of the East Branch of the Eightmile River. The property also has approximately 700 feet of frontage on Darling Road.

All of the soils on this property are classified "high value agricultural resource." This project supports an active farm of 55 acres with an additional 14 acres forested in close proximity to The Nature Conservancy Preserve at Benton Hill Fen. The property contains the headwaters of the Mill Brook and supports Webatuck Creek.

The award is for the purchase of the development rights for this property. The property located on the east side of West Mountain Road is actively used for agricultural purposes (prime farmland soils). The property is in a Class I watershed, Stratton Brook. The property abuts farmland for which the town has already purchased development rights.

The award is also for the purchase of the development rights. The property has over 425 feet of frontage on Terry’s Plain Road. The prime agriculture soil, the abutment of the land to a DEP wildlife management area, and the abutment of the land to an associated town-owned open space are the projects main attributes for acquisition.

The inactive apple orchard, which dominates this parcel is on rolling hills sloping down to frontage on Flanders Road. Patton Brook, a tributary to the Quinnipiac River, bisects the parcel for approximately 1500 feet, with accompanying streamside wetlands on both sides. The entire property is located within a major, regional Aquifer Protection Zone. While the orchard is inactive, a portion is planned to be preserved to maintain the agriculture heritage of this parcel and the acclaimed apple production of Southington.

This property lies on the eastern bank of the Mill River and will be incorporated into the Mill River Greenway. While not abutting the river itself, the parcel will add significantly to the heart of this Greenway.

This parcel, as with 4 West Park Place is located on the eastern bank of the Mill River, and will be incorporated into the Mill River Greenway. Also, as with 4 West Park Place, this parcel does not abut the river itself. The Mill River is considered tidal in this area.

More than half of this property is wetland and fragmented forest that provides wildlife habitat. The property will be incorporated into the town-owned Roosevelt Forest. The wetland complex found on this parcel includes the Pumpkin Ground Brook. The acquisition of this parcel will allow the town to establish a trailhead off Huntington Road. The property is currently owned by United Illuminating.

This property will add acreage to the existing Wyndham Land Trust Property, protect more than ninety percent of the frontage on Lower Pond and preserve 2000 feet of frontage on the Five Mile River. Primarily composed of wetland and some upland habitats, the site hosts a known great blue heron rookery, is home to several rare plant and insect species, and is critical to groundwater purification.

This property is located on the corner of Valley Falls Road and Reservoir Road. This parcel will be added to Valley Falls Park and compliment the abutting state Wildlife Management Area. The residential building will be excluded from the project. The remaining out buildings will be revitalized to allow for environmental and agricultural education.

The property is in the Regional Water Authority Mill River watershed and may be classified as Class I or II watershed land, and is adjacent to the Fresh Meadow Swamp property owned by Wallingford Land Trust. A former working farm and orchard, the property consists of 25 acres of open field, 10 acres of orchard, some large outcroppings, and several ponds, marshes, and meadows. The remaining land is forested. The tilled acreage may be added to the town's Farmland Lease Program.

Almost ninety-percent of this property abuts protected open space land. The property will ensure water quality for the Shepaug Reservoir by protecting the headwaters of two feeder streams and an unnamed pond. The property will also add to the Shepaug Greenway. The property meets the requirements for Class II watershed land. The property is home to the Gray Fox and it has also been reported that the rare bog turtle has found a hole on this parcel.

This project will double in size an open space preserve in the highly developed village of Quaker Hill in the Town of Waterford. The mostly hemlock-hardwood forest offers views of both the Thames River and Smith Cove. The property is bounded by Central Vermont Railway to the east and Route 32 to the west.

This property will add to existing town-owned open space and for the first time, provide access to the open space. The logging roads that traverse this property will be immediately available as trails to hikers and equestrian users. This property is located within the Menunketesuck River Watershed and contains Plain Brook.

The site is wooded and generally slopes down to Bryant’s Brook, which crosses and parallels the western boundary of the property. This brook further empties into the Norwalk River. The parcel is contiguous to an existing 8 acres of Wilton Land Trust land. The Town is under contract to purchase the development rights to 18 additional acres north of the site.

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Release Date: May 11, 2001
Contact: 860-524-7384