State Senators Mary Daugherty Abrams (D-Meriden, Cheshire, Middlefield, Middletown, and Rockfall) and Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) today cheered the announcement by Governor Ned Lamont that $9.1 million in state grants will be released for the purchase and protection of 24 parcels of land statewide through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program, including more than $60,000 in funding for the local acquisition of 47 acres of land in Middletown.
“Open space preserves important natural resources and provides our communities with beautiful local recreational resources,” said Sen. Abrams. “I am so happy that nearly 50 acres of land in Middletown will become open space, further adding to our incredible forests and preserving local wildlife, most prominently birds of prey. I would like to thank Governor Lamont for his support of environmental protection and the Berlin Land Trust for its efforts in protecting this property.”
“I was proud to work with the Berlin Land Trust in support this proposal over a number of months,” said Sen. Lesser. “Protecting this vital landscape for future generations is a major win for Middletown and the state of Connecticut.”
The project sponsor Berlin Land Trust, Inc. will receive a $63,450 grant to assist with the Lamentation Mountain: Tighe-Baldyga Property Acquisition, located at the north end of Lamentation Mountain and part of the Metacomet Ridge. The poeprty is landlocked by 450 acres of protected land and 190 acres of undeveloped land. It is additionally part of the 330-acre watershed of the Spruce Brook tributary. Its natural resources include an abundance of forestry creating a habitat for birds of prey, hawks and owls. It can be accessed from Lamentation Drive in Berlin through the Mattabesset Trail or from Stantack Road.