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WHY THIS FIGHT
MATTERS
Hammonasset State Park, the Hammonasset River, and the
adjacent tidal wetlands support literally hundreds of
species of birds, countless reptiles and amphibians,
mammals, finfish and shellfish, and all of the plants,
insects, and microorganisms that accompany such a
complex ecosystem. They also support a huge array
of recreational and educational activities, with
literally millions of visitors each year spending time
in the
park and on the river.
Such pristine coastal habitat is extremely rare in
Connecticut, and is endangered by projects such as
Madison Landing.
Pollution of the estuary by fertilizers, human waste,
detergents, pharmaceuticals, and other contaminants,
including excess fresh water, will cause marked
deterioration of the plant and animal life in and around
these sensitive wetlands. Water pollution, noise
pollution and degradation of other aesthetic aspects of
the Hammonasset State Park would unquestionably result
from the construction of Madison Landing.
Audubon Connecticut published an
outstanding summary of the environmental issues at stake
in the battle over Madison Landing, which can be found
here. Key
points include the status of Hammonasset as an Important
Bird Area (IBA) of global significance, due to the
presence of multiple state and federally listed bird
species, as well as hundreds of other bird species.
It serves as a migratory stopover area for many species
of birds, and as a nursery area for finfish and
shellfish. The document also explores issues of
Smart Growth land development, water pollution, and
aesthetic and recreational degradation.
We
highly recommend that you read
their essay in order to
help understand the scope of what will be lost if
Madison Landing is constructed.
Another wonderful essay on the huge array of flora and
fauna indigenous to
Hammonasset can be accessed at the
Long Island Sound Foundation Online
Coastal Access Guide. This site also features
fascinating monographs on the human and geological
history of the park, and a summary of recreational
opportunities available at Hammonasset. See it
here.
Current information on environmental issues
pertaining to Long Island Sound, and opportunities for political action, can be found in the
CT Audubon
Spring 2006 newsletter, which
is devoted entirely to the preservation of Long Island Sound!
This newsletter is essential reading for anyone
interested in preserving the health of our coastal waters.
See it
here.
On
Sunday, July 22, 2007 The Hartford Courant
published a front page story by David Funkhouser
entitled
Our Marshes are Dying.
It describes in great detail the rapid decline of our
invaluable Connecticut salt marshes. See it
here.
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