Haddam Land Swap Foes Confront Esty At Event

Opponents of a land swap deal in Haddam made the trip to New London on Monday, confronting the head of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection during a “Commissioner in Your Corner” event.

Under the controversial deal, DEEP would exchange 17.4 acres of state-owned land near Tylerville on the Connecticut River for 87.7 acres abutting the Cockaponset State Forest. The developer owning the latter parcel of land wishes to use the Tylerville land to create a resort destination with retail space and other buildings at the site, according to information from the . Several environmental groups opposed the plan, which the Connecticut General Assembly approved this spring.

The developer, who also owns the Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station on property that abuts the 17.4 acres, says the plan will benefit the state by creating an economic incentive while expanding the state’s environmental resources. Opponents, who are working to overturn the Legislature’s decision, have said the plan is unconstitutional, that the land’s deed says it should be retained as open space, and that the development is unlikely to create significant tax relief.

The opponents spoke to Daniel C. Esty, commissioner of DEEP, after he arrived at  aboard the research vessel “John Dempsey” and toured the fort and its visitor’s center. After remarks from Esty and several speakers, the land swap dominated the question and answer period. Melissa Schlag, of Citizens for Protection of Public Land, questioned the state’s priorities. She asked whether there were “favored constituents,” citing the state’s July purchase of 16 acres in Stonington for $1.5 million and suggesting that the state could have obtained five times as much land for the price.

Esty said the land swap is still in negotiation, and responded that he felt opponents to the land swap were taking too narrow a focus. He disputed that the trade was done against a conservation easement, and said the deal swaps contaminated land for a parcel that can be added to the state park. Esty also said the state has made progress in clean energy and other green initiatives.

“There are lots of issues more important than this one,” he said.

Doug Schwartz characterized the swap as an insult, and said it could result in a federal lawsuit by opponents.

“Do you plan to resign for blatantly lying about this issue?” Schwartz demanded.

Other attendees said Connecticut has a serious problem with invasive species that must be addressed and criticized a limit put on blackfish. Esty said he supports better trimming and anti-vine work to combat invasive species. He said the blackfish limit is a protective measure meant to balance commerce and conservation, and suggested that fishing businesses can focus on other, less vulnerable species while the blackfish population recovers.

“I think we need to work together, because some of these fisheries are in decline and are really in danger of being destroyed,” he said.

Esty’s remarks also focused on resources in coastal Connecticut. He said the Long Island Sound is a sensitive environment, noting during the boat trip that sediment was still visible after it had been washed downstream from other New England states after Tropical Storm Irene. The Sound is an “$8 billion asset” for commercial and recreational activities, he said.

Esty said the state has invested in sewage treatment and clean water initiatives, such as a clean vessel program to prevent boats from discharging wastewater into marine environments. He said the state has also supported seafloor mapping, purchasing land for open space, and educational efforts.

Several speakers related to commercial or recreational use of the state’s waterways also addressed the audience. Jack Conway, chairman of the Marine Advisory Group, said the organization tries to balance the needs of all marine uses and recommend common regulations. Bob Veach, president of the Connecticut Party and Charter Boat Association, said the organization works to have a good relationship with DEEP and ensure that regulations are not harmful to businesses. He asked Esty to think of each of the 150 licensed charter boats in the state as a small business.

“We are vital in bringing tourism into our state,” he said.