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Representative Phil Prelli (R-Winsted) and State Senator Tom
Herlihy (R-Simsbury) today announced that the state has awarded
the Norfolk Land Trust $34,125 for the purchase of a 19-acre
parcel to be preserved as open space. The property includes
the 1.5 mile section of the old Central New England Railroad
right-of-way running through southern Norfolk.
"It is very
important to preserve land as open space but also to have
a good use for the parcels," said Representative Prelli.
"The original concept of the open space grants was
to allow people to use the property and today's purchase
fits in well by providing excellent hiking opportunities
for people in the Northwest Corner."
"The open
space initiative implemented by this administration is one
of the most important and effective environmental policies
ever undertaken," said Sen. Herlihy. "Changing
old railway beds over so that they can be used for recreational
activities, such as hiking and biking, has been extremely
popular throughout Connecticut and I am very pleased that
we are able to do the same here in Norfolk. "
Nearly $6.5 million
was awarded in this eighth round of open space grants to
municipalities, private nonprofit land conservation organizations
and a water company. These latest land acquisitions awarded
this round increase open space in Connecticut by 1,247 acres.
In the first seven rounds of grants almost $44.6 million
was awarded to 178 open space projects, totaling 12,095acres.
The
grants, administered by the Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP), are awarded to projects that add to a
community's open space, enhance recreation in the area,
protect unique geographical features or assist long-term
acquisition plans. All applications are judged on the basis
of the criteria and scoring system established for the program
by the DEP and the standard established by the Natural Heritage,
Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Review Board.
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