Want to Learn More about Electric Vehicles?

Yesterday we attended a forum on "Connecticut's Global Warming Solutions Act: Energy, Economy and Policy Choices" where we learned a little more about electric vehicles.  Check out this short video from Northeast Utilities:

For more information, visit

One More Time - Tell Governor Malloy You Oppose the Haddam Land Swap

 

The "Haddam land swap," one of this year's most controversial pieces of legislation, passed in Bill 1196 on the last day of the legislative session, but Governor Malloy's approval is not guaranteed.  This was the third consecutive year in which the Haddam land swap was proposed.  It has been rejected twice as a very bad precedent. Please take some time today to call or email the Governor's Office to make your reasoned opposition to the swap is clearly heard.  Tell the Governor that you think process is important for good government. All we ask is that the swap be vetted through a process set up by the Department of Environmental Protection. For straight talk on claims and facts about the Haddam land swap, see RiversAlliance.org. Following is general background information you may wish to use to explain your position: The State of Connecticut bought the 17.4-acre parcel for $1.35 million on June 11, 2003 for conservation purposes.* A fundamental duty of the courts in interpreting conveyances of real estate is to carry into effect the true intent of the parties.   Does the Governor really want to back the legislature in overriding sellers' and buyers' clearly stated intent when it is legitimately expressed in the land transfer deed? Further, the legislature entirely disregarded DEP guidelines for disposing of conservation land under its care. Does the Governor really want to encourage the legislature to disrespect guidelines of the administrative branch of government? See DEP Directive, Manual Code 2214 (scroll to page 8), establishing policy and procedures to be followed for exchanging land or interests in land under the custody or control of the Department of Environmental Protection (June 2008). Further still, the Government Administration & Elections Committee's public hearing on the land swap drew overwhelming opposition to the proposal. Of the 65 written comments submitted on the bill, only 16 (three of which were the separate comments of three Riverhouse Properties partners) favored the Haddam land swap; 43 comments (66%) opposed the swap; 6 comments addressed other sections of bill 1196. Read the written testimony here. Finally, there seems to have been no analysis of the permanent easement that appears to be owned by a spring water bottling company on the 87-acre tract to be swapped to the state, or the impact of the easement on that land's value.  See page 6 of this 1998 appraisal report. ................................................................................ To Tell Governor Malloy You Oppose the Haddam Land Swap: Call 860-566-4840 (Toll-Free 1-800-406-1527)  or email Governor Malloy.     ................................................................................ * Note:  after the Commissioner of Environmental Protection (then Arthur Rocque) determined, as he was duly authorized under Conn. Gen. Stat. §23-75, that the land in question "has high priority recreation, fishery and conservation value, and is consistent with the state comprehensive plan for outdoor recreation and the state plan of conservation and development, and should be retained in its natural scenic or open condition as park or public open space..."  See Warranty Deed, Volume 263 page 219 of the Haddam land records, published at http://www.landswap.org/Deed.html.

Environmental Legislation: LAST DAY

By Lori Brown, lori.brown@ctlcv.org

As of June 7, 2011

The following pro- and anti- environment bills are still in play. You may be asked to vote on these bills before the end of session and CTLCV would like to be sure you are considering the future protection of our state’s natural resources when deciding your position. In shorthand:

LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT

SB 205 – support the return of mercury thermostats

SB 210 – support elimination of the toxin BPA in paper receipts

HB 6157 – support state forestry programs

HB 6263 – support transition for the Ten Mill program for land conservation

HB 6557 – support recreational use of municipal lands

LEGISLATION TO OPPOSE

SB 1196 -  oppose Sec. 10, which contains the Haddam Land swap as part of annual land transfer bill

HB 6400 – oppose present language on stormwater permitting; However, LCO 8234 is acceptable alternative

BUDGET/BONDING

CEQ (Council on Environmental Quality) - support CEQ in DEEP for administrative purposes only, with independence of reporting, and current funding levels.

Clean Water Fund – support Governor’s and Finance Committee’s recommendations for the state’s revolving Clean Water Fund

Community Investment Act – maintain dedicated funds

Transportation – support the proposed level of funding for transportation with fuel tax revenue dedicated to the Special Transportation Fund, and a focus on maintenance and repair (“Fix it First”), and public transportation.

Please contact the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) if you would like background information on these issues.

Lori Brown, Executive Director
Connecticut League of Conservation Voters
553 Farmington Avenue, Suite 201
Hartford, CT  06105
860.236.5442
lori.brown@ctlcv.org

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