STATE OF CONNECTICUT M. Jodi Rell 860-524-7313 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 “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 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 The 33 projects funded under this year’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program, include: Town of 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. Zemko Saw Mill, 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, 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 Town of Wethersfield & Trust for Wilkus Farm, 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 Background on State Open Space Grant Program State financial assistance for the purchase of local open space is provided under 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 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 |