CLCC Letter Regarding Haddam Land Swap
Update:
SB 1196, the Conveyance Act, containing the so-called “Haddam Land Swap” provision was approved on the last day of the session. Action on the bill by Governor Malloy is imminent.
On June 17th, CLCC sent a letter to Governor Malloy reiterating our concerns about the likely chilling effect the swap would have on future land donations in the state and asking that he postpone his decision on the bill until after the proposal has been fully evaluated in accordance with the process set up by the Department of Environmental Protection.
To tell Governor Malloy you oppose the section of SB1196 containing the Haddam Land Swap please call 860-566-4840 (Toll-Free 1-800-406-1527) or email Governor Malloy.
CLCC's letters to legislators and the Governor are available for download below.
For further information on the Haddam Land Swap, please click here or contact Amy Paterson, CLCC Executive Director, at (860)685-0785 or at abpaterson@ctconservation.org.
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In response to SB 1196, "An Act Concerning the Conveyance of Certain Parcels of State Land", CLCC Executive Director Amy Paterson sent a letter to Senator Gayle Slossberg and Representative Russ Morin, Co-Chairs of the state Government Administration and Elections Committee, voicing CLCC's deep concern over the likely negative repercussions and precedent setting nature of this and future conveyances of state open space lands FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN CONSERVATION. SB 1196 includes a provision to enable the "Haddam Land Swap" -- a proposal to convey 17 acres overlooking the Connecticut River and abutting Eagle Landing State Park to private landowners, in exchange for 87 acres of land in the Higganum section of Haddam.
As stated in its letter, it is CLCC's position that any divestitures of public land needs to be undertaken in strict conformance to the express criteria set forth in the Department of Environmental Directive regarding Exchanges of Land or Interests in Land dated June 10, 2008. Anything short of adherence to the DEP policy may constitute a violation of the public trust and serious breach of faith with the original landowner.
The letter and the DEP Directive may be downloaded below.
CLCC urges members of the conservation community and others concerned with public policy, to contact their legislators to ASK them to follow the terms of the DEP Directive and consider the likely precedent that is being set when evaluating proposals to convey public lands FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN CONSERVATION.
To contact your legislator, go to the State of CT General Assembly website. Click on "House" or "Senate" on the left hand side of the home page, and then on "Find your Legislator".
For more information, please contact Amy Paterson, CLCC Executive Director, at (860)685-0785 or at abpaterson@ctconservation.org.
