Senator Needleman Pleased to Announce East Hampton, Colchester, East Haddam to Receive Open Space Land Acquisition Grants from State
Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) was pleased to announce that, with the initial announcement of 2020 Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Awards by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, projects in Colchester, East Haddam and East Hampton will receive roughly $200,000 in total to assist with the purchase of important land to complete regional projects.
“I’m grateful to DEEP and the Governor for these grants, which will go a long way toward preserving the natural beauty we experience every day in Middlesex County,” said Sen. Needleman. “These projects will assist our local towns in preserving key open space and keep our forests and watershed areas free from threats of development or pollution. I’d like to thank the workers and volunteers, as well, who are dedicated to keeping Connecticut natural, wild and beautiful.”
The following projects will receive funding through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grants:
- East Hampton will receive $46,500 to acquire the 7.5-acre Christopher Property, which contains Christopher Pond, fed directly by a Lake Pocotopaug tributary. This purchase is motivated by hopes of protecting Christopher Brook, protecting and improving water quality as it suffers from cyanobacteria blooms every summer. If acquired, the public would be allowed to use the property for fishing, kayaking, hiking and picnicking.
- Colchester will receive $63,000 to purchase the 65-acre Sablitz Property, located at the southern end of the state-designated Pine Brook Greenway. Almost the entire property has been designated as an aquifer protection zone and its conservation will protect 2,600 feet of river-adjacent land. The town plans to connect the property to the Richard Goodwin Trail and will construct a gravel parking area for 8-10 vehicles as well as a picnic area.
- East Haddam will receive $96,900 to purchase the 124-acre Hayward Parcel on O’Connell Road Extension, mostly forest land with mainly oak trees, located at the headwaters of the Eightmile River Watershed and supporting woodland-nesting bird species. It’s part of an extensive series of protected open space properties.
