House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

April 29, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

1,000 Friends for 1,000 Acres

 

Just over one week ago the three town Alliance for Sound area Planning (ASaP) sought and has now received 1,000 signatures to a sign-on letter calling on state leaders to provide full funding for the entire 1,000 acre “Preserve”, the last unfragmented forest of its size on Connecticut’s coast.

The Alliance for Sound area Planning (ASaP) has what they are calling “1,000 friends for 1,000 acres” who have signed-on to a letter that calls on Governor M. Jodi Rell, and the state’s senators and representatives to “support full funding to purchase Connecticut’s LAST 1,000 acre coastal forest of its kind, known as the ‘Preserve.’ ”

Also receiving copies of the letter with 1,000 (+) signatures are Attorney General Blumenthal, DEP Commissioner McCarthy, Old Saybrook First Selectman Mike Pace, Essex First Selectman Phil Miller and Westbrook First Selectman John Raffa.

“This is the last remaining wetland and coastal forest of this size between Boston and New York.  It deserves our stewardship and preservation,” said state Representative Marilyn Giuliano, R-23rd District, whose district includes Old Saybrook, where most of the coastal forest is located.

"This petition underscores what is well known in Essex, Old Saybrook, Westbrook and surrounding towns:  there is a widespread and deep commitment in the lower Connecticut River valley area for public acquisition and preservation of this precious land completely and permanently.  The petition sends the clear message to state leaders that the land needs to be protected, and that the time for action is now,” said state Representative James F. Spallone, D-36th District. 

"These 1,000 signatures demonstrate the magnitude of the support for purchasing the Preserve. It not only has the support of the residents of Westbrook, Old Saybrook and Essex, but has the support of people throughout the State of Connecticut.  This helps our legislative delegation advocate for State funding and puts us in a position to protect this land for future generations," said state Representative Brian J. O’Connor, D-35th District.

Proponents of preservation of this 1,000 acre forest pointed out in the letter, that “the unique quality of this resource comprises not only of the diversity of its habitat, the significance of headwaters of three Class A streams, and the number and significance of its vernal pools; it is also the continued existence of this tract as a massive 1,000 acre unfragmented coastal forest and wetland system”.

In closing the letter reads, “Protect this Connecticut coastal treasure; FOR ALL; FOREVER.”