House Republican Press Release

October 11, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Representatives Klarides, Davis and Senator Slossberg Applaud Open Space Grant for Orange

Orange - A $500,000 state grant for the Ewen Farm in Orange will help to protect and preserve the area and to prevent flooding issues on the property. Representative Themis Klarides (R-Derby), State Senator Gayle Slossberg (D-Milford) and Representative Paul Davis (D-Orange) today praised the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for awarding the funding.

“I deeply appreciate the efforts of Governor Rell and the Department of Environmental Protection in making open space in Orange a priority,” said Representative Klarides.  “This grant helps ensure that the 42.7 acres will be preserved for future generations to enjoy and that development will not encroach on the character of this farmland.”

“This grant will go a long way toward protecting open space in Orange,” Senator Slossberg said. “Residential developers have been eyeing the Ewen Farm for some time, and the prospect of this losing this area to development was not something that residents found attractive. I’m pleased that the DEP has awarded this funding.”

“I am delighted Orange is a grant recipient of our Open Space Grant Program,” Representative Davis said. “Open space and land preservation continues to be an important goal and this grant helps us to continue to save our land. This is not only an investment for today, but for future generations.”

The funding will also help to protect a large area of the Indian River and to provide necessary resources for the construction of two detention ponds that will address downstream flooding issues.

The Ewen Farm is an actively operating farm, producing hay, vegetables, and meat products, and provides recreational areas for fishing, ice skating, snowshoeing, walking, hiking, and nature viewing.

The grant was part of $9.9 million awarded to 41 projects in 39 towns across Connecticut as part of the state’s goal to preserve 21 percent of Connecticut’s land as open space by 2023.