From the CT League of Conservation Voters

Dear Editor,   

Since our last message to legislators, five additional citizen and environmental groups have either publicly opposed, or are calling for a more thorough review of, the proposed Haddam land swap.  They are included in the list below.  

If you would like to help keep up the pressure please call these two legislators and ask them to oppose this transfer until it can be fully examined:

Senator Martin Looney, Majority Leader: 860-240-0375

Representative Brendan Sharkey, Majority Leader: 860-240-8500 

AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD YOUR GROUP TO THE GROWING LIST, LET US KNOW BY TOMORROW.  THANK YOU!

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HADDAM LAND SWAP:  TAKE IT OUT OF THE CONVEYANCE ACT  

The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters opposes Section 10 of Bill 1196 as a violation of the commitment the state made to the public and the seller to protect this open space in perpetuity. 

SECTION 10 OF THE BILL HANDS OVER TO A PRIVATE DEVELOPER LAND ACQUIRED BY THE STATE FOR $1.3 MILLION.  The land to be taken from the public is 17 acres overlooking Eagle Landing State Park and the Connecticut River in Haddam.  Price: $1.3 million, 2003. The land to be given to the public instead is 87 acres adjacent to Cockaponset state park, logged, and burdened by an easement to a water bottling company.  Price: $450,000, 2009. 

The land to be taken from the public was purchased for conservation by the Recreation and Natural Heritage Trust Fund.  It is part of a Wildlife Management Area. The only condition the developer might have to meet is to allow the public on to a portion of the land, such as a parking lot or a path across the lot.

The developer could flip the land.  No development is required.    THE SWAP HAS NOT BEEN FULLY VETTED BY THE DEP OR THE ADVISORY BOARD OF THE RECREATION AND NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST OR ANYONE IN GOVERNMENT 

Is it in the interest of the state to promote development on the river in Haddam?  Maybe. Is it in the interest of the state to override its policies and principles by an unexamined handover of public property into private hands.  

NO.  THE PROCESS IS HORRIBLE AND LOOKS HORRIBLE.  

Others who either oppose or are calling for a more thorough review are:

Audubon

Connecticut Citizens Campaign for the Environment

Connecticut Association of Inland Wetland and Conservation Commissions

Connecticut Botanical Society

Connecticut Fund for the Environment

Connecticut League of Conservation Voters

Connecticut River Gateway Commission

Connecticut River Watershed Council

Conserving Tolland

Cornwall Land Trust

Deep River Land Trust

Earth Charter Community of the Lower Valley, Inc. (ECCoLoV)

East Haddam Board of Selectmen

East Haddam Democratic Committee

East Haddam Economic Development Commission

East Haddam Land Trust, Inc.

Essex Land Trust

Friends of Connecticut State Parks

Land Conservation Coalition of Connecticut

Lyme Democratic Committee

Middletown Conservation Commission

Old Saybrook Land Trust

Rivers Alliance of Connecticut

Sierra Club - Connecticut

The Jonah Center

Tidewater Institute

Westfield Residents Association