Governor Rell Announces $10.2 Million in

Open Space Grants to 29 Communities

Grants to Assist with 33 Purchases Preserving 2,440 Acres

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced $10.2 million in grants to help purchase or preserve approximately 2,440 acres of open space in 29 cities and towns across Connecticut. Money for the grants comes from previously approved bond funds.

            “Preserving open space is vital to protecting the natural charm and scenic beauty of our state and is a key building block in my ‘Responsible Growth’ program,” Governor Rell said. “We are striking the right balance between economic growth and development while protecting our state’s irreplaceable land and natural resources.

            “One of Connecticut’s greatest strengths – and its greatest attractions to employers and employees alike – is its multitude of places for people to explore and enjoy,” the Governor said. “From the beach to the back country, from rustic farm country to rolling hills and forests, our small state has it all, and all within a few minutes’ drive. While I am dedicated to keeping and growing every job possible in our state, we cannot do that at the expense of one of the state’s greatest assets. These open space grants help us to protect that asset for our own use and for generations to come.”

            Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Gina McCarthy said, “The properties in each town are identified by those who know best – local people who wish to preserve land that is highly valued in their community. Preserving these properties will help preserve the character and beauty of Connecticut’s communities.”

            The 33 projects funded under this year’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program, include:

Town of Harwinton (64.87 acres)

Leadmine Brook Property, Harwinton

Provides a critical link between a Town Conservation Area and Roraback Wildlife Management Area, creating almost 2,400 contiguous acres for hiking, fishing, bird watching and passive recreational use.

Salem Land Trust (63 acres)

Zemko Saw Mill, Salem

Provides a diverse number of habitats including wetlands, vernal pools, rocky outcrops, the Rattlesnake Ledges, several forest types and associated native flora and fauna. There are extensive open wetlands including beaver meadows with dams and ponds.

The Nature Conservancy, Inc. (450 acres)

Myers Pond Easement, Union

Myers Pond is located within the Quinebaug Highlands Project area and the Quinebaug-Shetucket National Heritage Corridor known as The Last Green Valley. It is made up of forest and freshwater habitats and is part of a large wetland complex within the 7,800-acre Yale University Forest. The easement will protect three ponds, three streams and numerous brooks.

Town of Wethersfield & Trust for Public Land (81 acres)

Wilkus Farm, Wethersfield

This property represents the most significant tract of open space in the Town. The acquisition provides access to an 1860 reservoir for passive recreation and will protect Goff Brook, a stream that drains directly into the Connecticut River. The farm is an important symbol of the Town’s agricultural history and the actively managed hayfields provide an important habitat for numerous grassland bird species.

Background on State Open Space Grant Program

            State financial assistance for the purchase of local open space is provided under Connecticut’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program. The program makes funds available to support land purchases by municipalities, nonprofit land conservation organizations and water companies. Funds for this program are provided through state bonding and the 2005 Community Investment Act.

            Funding for this year’s grants includes $5.7 million in state bond funds and $4.5 million from the Community Investment Act.

            There have now been 14 rounds of funding for the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program since 1998. In this time the state has provided more than $94.1 million to assist with the purchase of about 21,624 acres.

            These purchases – along with open space held directly by the state – are helping Connecticut meet its open space goal of protecting 21 percent of Connecticut’s land – or 673,210 acres – by the year 2023. Connecticut is now 72.1 percent of the way toward achieving this goal, with 485,845 acres designated as state or local open space.

            The DEP evaluates projects using natural resource and outdoor recreation criteria that includes a numerical scoring system. A Natural Heritage, Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Review Board, created by state statute, assists DEP in reviewing and ranking the projects.

2008 Open Space & Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Recipients