HADDAM LAND SWAP: TAKE IT OUT OF THE CONVEYANCE ACT

Since our message to legislators on June 6, more and more citizen and environmental groups have either publicly opposed, or are calling for a more thorough review of, the proposed Haddam land swap, now bringing the list of organizations to a total of 35.  They are listed 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 ------------ 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::

1. Audubon Connecticut 2. Beacon Falls Conservation Commission 3. Beacon Falls Land Use Committee 4. Citizens Campaign for the Environment 5. Colchester Land Trust 6. Connecticut Audubon Society 7. Connecticut Association of Inland Wetland and Conservation Commissions 8. Connecticut Botanical Society 9. Connecticut Fund for the Environment 10. Connecticut Land Conservation Council 11. Connecticut League of Conservation Voters 12. Connecticut River Gateway Commission 13. Connecticut River Watershed Council 14. Conserving Tolland 15. Cornwall Land Trust 16. Deep River Land Trust 17. Earth Charter Community of the Lower Valley, Inc. 18. East Haddam Board of Selectmen 19. East Haddam Democratic Committee 20. East Haddam Economic Development Commission 21. East Haddam Land Trust, Inc. 22. Essex Land Trust 23. Friends of Connecticut State Parks 24. Great Meadows Conservation Trust 25. Housatonic Valley Association 26. Lyme Democratic Committee 27. Middletown Conservation Commission 28. Middlefield Board of Selectmen 29. Naugatuck River Revival Group 30. Old Saybrook Land Trust 31. Rivers Alliance of Connecticut 32. Sierra Club - Connecticut 33. The Jonah Center 34. Tidewater Institute 35. Westfield Residents Association