Friends of Animals Press Release. Contact: Priscilla Feral, Friends of Animals (203) 656-1522

For Immediate Release: December 13, 2001 

Protect All Wildlife on All Kelda Lands   

Darien, CT-- Friends of Animals vigorously supports the acquisition of more than 15,000 acres of natural landscapes in Connecticut collectively known as the Kelda Properties. But we are vigorously opposed to provisions in the draft management agreement for those lands that call for hunting to be used as a management tool. 

Friends of Animals is confident that enlightened stewardship can provide science-based management that protects all the lands and all the wildlife concurrently. However, we are apprehensive that the troika of parties to the land acquisition - the Connecticut Department of Environment Protection (DEP), Bridgeport Hydraulic Company (BHC) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) - have neither the inclination nor the competence to exercise that enlightened stewardship. Further, we fear this troika is motivated by the self- interest of its individual parties, and will keep neither the interest of the public nor the interests of wildlife as their priorities. 

• DEP, which to a large degree is financially dependent upon fees collected from hunters, has a well-earned reputation of serving hunting interests. Whenever there is a conflict between wildlife exploitation and wildlife protectionist interests, DEP can be relied upon to support the exploiters.
• BHC is a public utility engaged in providing drinking water to hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents. It has generally been receptive to hunters killing wild animals on its lands (eg. BHC's "Deer Harvesting Program" in Easton). Thus, consumers who purchase BHC water indirectly subsidize hunting.
• TNC claims to be a conservation organization. Once it managed preserves in Connecticut that prohibited hunting, but that policy has recently changed. Deer are now hunted in TNC's Devil's Den Preserve in Weston. The decision to authorize hunting in Devil's Den was not scientifically based. TNC did not know how many deer inhabited the 2.5 square mile preserve before it opened the gates to hunting because it had never conducted a census. TNC, as property owner, abided by the arrest of members of the public-While they non-violently protested hunting in the preserve. At the same time, TNC invited other members of the public on to the same preserve lands to kill deer. TNC suppressed freedom of expression while simultaneously encouraging killing.

The draft management agreement for the Kelda Properties has many flaws and betrays a prejudice against both the public and wild animals. Section 5.6 of the draft agreement-.says the parties, in managing wildlife, will employ "sound, professionally-guided, long-term, scientific-based wildlife management that considers both the goals of ownership and the public interest." However, there are absolutely no provisions in the management agreement to determine precisely what is the public interest. There are no provisions for public hearings, public participation on the Conservation Lands Committee, or any other interaction with the public. We remind the parties that Friends of Animals is part of the public, and we intend to express what our interests are. If we are excluded from direct dialogue because of the inherent lock-out construction of the draft agreement, we will find other vehicles to voice our opinions.

Further, it is unclear if the 15,000 acres of the Kelda Properties are to become "public lands." The joint management by a governmental agency, a business and a very wealthy not-for- profit organization leaves doubt as to whose interests really rule. Friends of Animals is left to ask if it is the intention of the management troika to use public funds made available by DEP participation in order to operate and maintain a semi-private hunting concession.  

Nearly all the lands involved are watershed and presumably edited to avoid development that would adversely affect the reservoirs upon which many people depend. Thus, Friends of Animals is left with another question: Has this land deal been arranged by the troika to relieve BHC Company of the various burdens (maintenance, liability, taxes, etc.) of watershed land ownership, while preserving for it the considerable benefits of reservoir ownership?  

Section 5.6 of the draft agreement provides for "hunting of a variety of species” on the 15,000 acres. The draft offers a variety of noble and plausibly public-interest reasons for conducting this hunting - everything from "public health" and "public safety" to "water quality" and "forest health." The section identifies by name two species that are candidates for hunting "deer and turkey." Friends of Animals believes armed hunters wandering suburban Connecticut forests are a greater threat to public health and safety than turkeys are. Deer, which are native species found in these forested areas, are a part of the natural ecology, and therefore a part of water quality and forest health.

It is most curious that of the more than 150 species of mammals and birds that inhabit Devil's Den Preserve, TNC - without any in situ scientific study being conducted - (but perhaps by clairvoyance or sorcery) identified only one species as being responsible for the decline of two flowering plants. Perhaps it was sheer coincidence that TNC accused only the deer - the hunter's favorite target - of being responsible for this ecological havoc, but Friends of Animals suspects ulterior motives, and fears the same motivation will manifest itself in the management of the Kelda Properties if the draft agreement is accepted in its present form.  

TNC has recently demonstrated its anti-science attitude and its collusion with hunting interests. TNC also refused to conduct public hearings or engage in any other dialogue with their own neighbors on matters concerning hunting in Devil's Den. Friends of Animals cannot comprehend how TNC is now to be identified as a partner in the stewardship of wildlife under an agreement that calls for management based on science and public interest.  

Given the many flaws in the text Of the draft agreement as well as the earned reputations of the identified partners, it is the considered opinion of Friends of Animals that the draft agreement represents an attempt to set aside large tracts of land as semi-private hunting preserves that will be subsidized by Connecticut taxpayers as well as unwitting members of TNC. In the process, BHC is divesting itself of watershed lands (and responsibilities they represent) while maintaining the profitability of the water itself. The agreement assures protection for BHC's commercial interests without burdening BHC with the obligations of property ownership.  

Friends of Animals would like to see the 15,000 plus acres of Kelda lands protected as wildlife habitat in perpetuity. But we would very much prefer a process that results in an accountable and transparent management by enlightened and responsible stewards working in the interest of the public and of wildlife. ~ - END - ~

 COALITION OF CONNECTICUT SPORTSMEN

P.O. Box 2506, Hartford, CT 06146, (203) 245-8076

12/13/2001

 

State Forester, Donald Smith 

Connecticut DEP Forestry Division, 6th Floor

79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT  06106

Dear Sir; 

The Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen thanks all involved for their foresight and rapid action to acquire and preserve the Kelda/Bridgeport Hydraulic Company, water company lands – there can be no doubt this was a momentous and beneficial act for the citizens of Connecticut. 

The Coalition expresses our appreciation for this opportunity to comment on the proposed, Natural Resources Management Agreement. 

This is a well-prepared document, flexible, and addresses all the major issues in a professional manner. We support the document in its entirety. 

We find the descriptions of the parties and their tasks (Article 1) are compatible with Multiple Use Recreation, resource protection, and scientific management. 

We applaud allowing public access in designated areas of the Conservation Lands, and that the nature, intensity and timing of such use will be determined by the qualified professionals on the Conservation Lands Committee. 

Sportsmen’s recreational interests are Hunting, Fishing, Trapping and Boating. We could not agree more that Wildlife and Fisheries management on the Conservation Lands must rely upon statistically reliable resource data gathered through the science-based assessment of the various habitats, not on special interest advocacy with a goal of exclusion and based on emotional factors. Having worked with other CT water suppliers, we also understand the Boating issue.  

Particularly important to Sportsmen is that DEP intends to manage the natural resources in accord with generally accepted fish, wildlife, and forest management principles, conduct scientific investigations and assessments, and protect the land as open space by preserving in perpetuity its natural and open condition for the protection of natural resources and public water supplies. This will include regulation, management, research, public education, and conservation law enforcement. The goal is to protect the property’s natural resources and to provide the public with natural resource-based recreational opportunities that are compatible with the production of clean water for public consumption.

In this regard, we would advocate the use of the DEP Hunting Review Team (HRT) to advise the Conservation Lands Committee. We would strongly promote the HRT review each and every parcel, on a case-by-case basis, to determine what recreational activity should take place. The HRT has been in existence for several years, has proven to be highly professional, and has a record of success and approval with Sportsmen, landowners, communities, the public and other reputable conservation organizations. 

We note that current recreational opportunities provided by BHC will continue until recreation management plans have been developed, and those plans will incorporate existing opportunities as appropriate. Thank you for all those that currently participate.

However, you may hear a position tonight stating that current recreational opportunities are all right, but no new areas should be opened to public recreation. We would urge you reject that position and allow the maximum use of all tracts for scientific research, commercial benefit, and recreational opportunities for all user groups, subject to reasonable management standards of protection and scientific evaluation of the resources involved. These interests are defined in the proposed management agreement and are generally inclusive of all responsible interest groups. Multiple and maximizing use is also consistent with the stated purposes of the Agreement.

Thank you for your consideration.

 

Robert T. Crook, Executive Director                                                         

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in moving forward with the acquisition of rights to the Kelda/BHC Company water company land, will be conducting two public meetings to solicit input on the Proposed Natural Resources Management Agreement. The agreement will establish the strategic framework for the management of the natural resources present on the approximately 15,300 acres of water company land owned by the Kelda Group/BHC Co. to which the state is currently acquiring rights. The agreement also establishes policies that will guide future planning and decision making regarding use of the land and a framework of administrative cooperation among the parties. Representatives from the three entities involved, the DEP, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Kelda Group’s BHC Company will be present at both meetings.

"Input from the public is key as the DEP moves forward toward effective management of these water company parcels," said DEP Deputy Commissioner David K. Leff. "Staff from DEP, The Nature Conservancy, and BHC have worked hard on this management agreement and we look forward to quality contributions from the community."

The meetings are scheduled as follows:

Monday, December 10, 2001 – 7:00 PM

Torrington City Hall Auditorium
140 Main Street, Torrington

Thursday, December 13, 2001 – 7:00 PM

Easton Public Library
691 Morehouse Road, Easton

Comments may be made orally at either or both public meeting(s) and may be submitted in writing at either or both meeting(s). Written comments can also be mailed (either electronically or conventionally ) to the address below. Comments not provided at the meetings should be submitted in writing by December 13, 2001. Following the comment period, DEP will finalize the management agreement for incorporation into purchase and sale documents. Copies of the plan are available at the DEP’s website: http://www.dep.state.ct.us.

Address for mailing comments:

State Forester Donald Smith
Connecticut DEP Forestry Division, 6^th Floor
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106
e-mail address: don.smith@po.state.ct.us

In February 2001, Governor Rowland announced a Memorandum of Understanding to preserve the land through an unprecedented, public-private partnership agreement that calls for the DEP and TNC to purchase the property for $90 million. TNC has agreed to contribute $10 million with the state’s share being $80 million. Kelda and Aquarion are donating $100 million to the land preservation effort, as the property is valued at $190 million. As previously announced, the Purchase and Sales Agreement for the deal was signed on November 9, 2001.

The approximately 15,300 acres includes property in Fairfield, Litchfield, New Haven, and Hartford Counties that is heavily forested with miles of pristine streams, upland ridges, and reservoir shorefront. The property includes additions to Housatonic and Naugatuck State Forest; frontage along the Saugatuck Reservoir, Aspetuck River, Rippowam River, Farmill River, Easton Reservoir, Aspetuck Reservoir, Trap Falls Reservoir, Lake Wagnum, and the Hemlock Reservoir. Portions of the property surround Trout Brook Valley, TNC’s Cathedral Pines Preserve, and the state’s Canaan Mountain Natural Area Preserve.

Kelda: Draft Natural Resources Management Agreement (PDF, 50K)

  http://dep.state.ct.us/rec/openspace/nrma1126.pdf