Did you know that your favorite state park or forest may not be forever protected? While millions of dollars have been spent to conserve these environmentally sensitive lands, a special Connecticut Environmental Quality report “Preserved but Maybe Not” illustrates the importance of additional protection for state parks, forests, and wildlife management areas from land transfers.
Consequently, the Environmental Committee unanimously favored Bill 70 “An Act Concerning the Preservation of Lands in the Custody of DEEP and the Department of Agriculture.”
The CEQ report cites two examples of how state protected land has been subject to exchanges or conveyances.
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In 2011, a special act almost traded a 17-acre portion of the Clarke Creek Wildlife Management Area in Haddam along the Connecticut River to a private company, Riverhouse Properties, for a 90-acre parcel forested parcel upland.
The company envisioned a “Mystic-type” experience with a hotel, retail shops, and a train station.
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Because of the great difference in the appraised values of the properties, the deal never happened.
In April 2013, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection proposed a transfer of 30 acres of land from DEEP within the Meshamoic State Forest to construct a firearms training facility. It was later determined that the forest was home to endangered species and the plan was overwhelmingly opposed by the public.
Karl Wagener, Director of the State Council on Environmental Quality,cl told those attending a recent public hearing that “just in the last three years, DEEP and the General Assembly have been asked to consider proposals totaling hundreds of acres of state conservation lands. And fortunately, most of these transfers did not go through, but the door remains wide open, and it's the council's recommendation that these lands that are held in trust for the public should only be exchanged or given away in extraordinary circumstances.”
As for other specific examples, Wagener explained that “a wind farm developer asked if they could have 140 acres of state forest land to site a wind farm, offering in exchange 11 acres to DEEP. And after four months and a lot of investigation by DEEP it was denied, but in the council's view, that was four months of hard work that shouldn't have had to been put in.”
All the proposals have a common theme, Wagener said, which includes the proponent placing the land in an unfavorable light, such as claiming it has poor soils, while factual information regarding why the land is placed in conservation arrives late in the process, or perhaps not at all.
“The proposed legislation would highlight the conservation value of the public's land, and it would communicate to would-be acquirers of this land that the door is not wide open to overly optimistic and often time-wasting proposals and that state lands of high conservation value will, in fact, be preserved for conservation purposes, for all people and for all time.” Wagener explained.
Also speaking at the public hearing was Eric Hammerling, Executive Director of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, who said most deeds of state forests and parks that his office looked at, do not offer any level of protection.
“Public lands should not be so vulnerable to the whims of the dominant political party or to short-term parochial interests.” Hammerling explained.
Rep. Prasad Srinivasan, from the 31st district, stated that “the bill classifies lands under the custody and control of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the Department of Agriculture as land of high conservation value unless the commissioners make a written determination to the contrary. Furthermore, this bill requires DEEP and Department of Agriculture to place a conservation restriction on the deeds of lands of high conservation value.”
Bill 70 is currently undergoing review by the Office of Legislative Research and the Office of Fiscal Analysis. It is due to leave their offices Mar. 31. After this, the bill will receive a calendar number and be voted on by the Senate and the House. After final printing of the bill, either chamber can debate or make amendments to the bill. Both would have to agree on any changes before it is sent to the governor for his signature.
