NOTE: THIS PRESS E-RELEASE HAS BEEN CORRUPTED
Hadley, Massachusetts: U.S. Congressmen Richard Neal and John Olver joined The Trust for Public Land (TPL), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Town of Hadley, the Kestrel Trust, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and other partners at a project celebration to commemorate the conservation of 67 acres of grassland bird habitat along the Fort River in Hadley.
The event was held on the conserved land, a former equestrian previously owned by martha zuckerman approved for subdivision development plan, now part of fort river division silvio o. conte national fish and wildlife refuge. Permanent protection property ensures land will instead provide important habitat benefits public access generations to come.
The Massachusetts congressional delegation have been strong supporters of this project and worked to secure $2.1 million in federal funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to protect the property, which was a high priority for the USFWS.
fort river is the longest free-flowing tributary of connecticut in providing important habitat for federally endangered dwarf wedgemussels and other rare species. refuge protects prime fish wildlife watershed new massachusetts the connecticut river valley watershed is native habitat is part of mission statement silvio o. conte national fish wildlife refuge. preservation acres along fort another example efforts being made on a local level to manage our valuable natural resources. property includes three-quarters of a mile frontage along the fort and prime nesting habitat for rare grassland birds such as which is regularly seen in june. river division may host upland needs acres continuous grasslands nesting. this recent acquisition marks >th acre in the Division.
"I am very pleased that this pristine scenic property now safeguarded for generations come. as we celebrate town hadleys >th anniversary, todays announcement is a reminder of the many contributions this community makes each day to the quality of life in western Massachusetts,' said Congressman Neal.
"We owe a big thank you to everyone who has worked to protect our regions most treasured natural habitats for future generations to enjoy," said U.S. Senator John Kerry.
connecticut river program director for the trust public land are proud to have worked on our third project in massachusetts conte refuge conserve character of valley and natural habitat resources new largest watershed. we very grateful congressional delegation their support this water conservation fund. without important federal these lands could been lost"
" the efforts of trust for public land and support massachusetts congressional delegation conservation investment zuckerman property in estate would not have been possible. it is my hope that all involved will feel a strong sense accomplishment pride when they reflect on addition acres to silvio o. conte national fish wildlife refuge compatible use enjoyment by said andrew c. project leader refuge. p > the local land and agency partners are building on success by working to negotiate additional agreements that will further protect fort river from norwottuck rail trail mount holoke range west connecticut river. advocates optimistic farmland habitat protection projects be completed in years thanks large part landowners who committed a conservation legacy many future generations p > a member of the hadley board selectmen town understands that maintaining rural landscapes provides practical and cultural benefits for community. preserving land is consistent with our sustainability goals as outlined in master we feel certain future generations will regard efforts today wise worthy
I am pleased with this creative settlement because it reflects one of Mass DEP's compliance assurance goals – achieving real environmental results,” MassDEP Commissioner Laurie Burt said. “The benefits to the community and the environment are far-reaching and go well beyond penalty collection. The final outcome results in the protection of wetlands and the preservation of open spaces for the future.”
board chair of the kestrel trust and a founding member fort river partnership happy ending was long time coming. town land protection community have been worried about this property for over decade delighted to be in position help public make conservation purchase. by pulling weve avoided development scheme that would ruined gorgeous area at
Theart of the Valley."
The Land and Water Conservation Fund was created by Congress in 1965 to reinvest revenue from offshore oil and gas royalties into protecting Americas natural, cultural, and recreational heritage by acquiring land to ensure that all Americans have access to quality outdoor recreation and our unique history.
