State Sen. Thomas J. Herlihy, R-Simsbury, today said that through a grant by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Town’s of Canton and New Hartford will be receiving over $985,000for the preservation of open space on three parcels of land.  Gov. M. Jodi Rell along with DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy made the official announcement of the funding yesterday at the Open Space Grant Awards ceremony, which was held in Norwalk.

“The vast amount of open space is what makes this region so special,” said Sen. Herlihy.  “The Canton Conservation Land Trust along with the Trust for Public Land in New Hartford work hard to make sure these lands are protected.  I congratulate both of these organizations along with the towns of canton and New Hartford for their efforts as well as the state and Gov. Rell who recognizes the importance of protecting this open space property.”

According to Sen. Herlihy, the DEP has authorized $85,740 to the Canton Land Conservation Trust, Inc. for preservation of over 43 acres of the Sweeton Pasture Lot.  The DEP indicates that the Lot is primarily a hardwood forest with 1,380 feet of frontage on Bunker Hill Road.  Acquisition of this parcel would protect a 60-acre block on both sides of Bunker Hil Road.  The topography slopes generally to the east and south with scenic views of an area that is now home to migratory songbirds.

The town of New Hartford will be receiving two grants.  The first grant in the amount of $450,000 will go to the town for acquisition of the Goula Open Space.  This property would preserve a large unbroken forest, grassland, and wetland habitat and create a potential link to a protected greenway.  The property is comprised of young forest, 21 acres of meadow and is home to a significant prehistoric archeological soapstone site.   The second grant (also in the amount of $450,000) for the conservation of Jones Mountain.  The preservation of the Jones Mountain property is considered a high priority for the state of Connecticut according to the DEP under the Highlands Conservation Act.  The property, half of which drains into the Farmington River, abuts undeveloped property.  This property is primarily an unfragmented closed-canopy forest.