Here's a sampling of the work we’ve done to protect Groton's natural resources.

GCA ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRES FOR
CITY of Groton MAYORAL RACE

May 3, 2021 As an urban municipality with a very long coastline, the City of Groton’s impact on Long Island Sound is considerable and vice versa. We therefore asked the two mayoral candidates in the March 6, 2021, primary election to express their views on City environmental issues so we could share them with the public. Our op-ed article was published in The Day on March 4th. Click on the candidates’ hyperlinked names to read their responses to our questionnaire: Democratic incumbent Mayor Keith Hedrick and Democratic challenger Town Councilor Aundré Bumgardner. Because both candidates demonstrated significant knowledge of Groton’s environmental issues, we opted to focus on their environmental records and aspirations for the City rather than endorse one candidate. Bumgardner won the primary race by five votes but Hedrick won the May 3 election as a write-in candidate.

NOANK School garden saved from development!

GCA actively followed the Noank School property issue because it involved a land-use decision on town-held open space. Dave Collins jump-started a discussion with his May 16 column in The Day which characterized the Council’s 2019 decision to cancel the garden task force “one of the more ugly decisions I have seen by a municipal body around here in a long time.” GCA responded to Collins’ in a Letter to the Editor and said that “the council did not take this serious action on a mere whim. There were legitimate issues.… Now we need to move on and start serious negotiations between the town and the Noank Fire District (NFD) on the future of the property.” That is exactly what we did: promote communication between the town and the NFD and alert our supporters on the need to write letters to the Council. On June 9 the Town Council heard several interested parties present their ideas for the property at a Town Council COW meeting. Our June 10 Action Alert summarized all six proposals and our recommendation that we support the most eco-friendly option and protect it as open space permanently. GCA sent out a second Action Alert on July 22 asking for more letters on a compromise park option. At the July 28 Committee of the Whole meeting, after a lengthy and at times contentious discussion, the Town Council voted provisionally 5-3 in favor of a long-term vision for the Noank School property. The master plan for the park now includes a community garden, rain garden, walking trails, arboretum, Christmas tree grove, playground and a playing field. We are delighted to report that the final vote took place on August 4, 6-3 in favor of the compromise plan. Click HERE to read more about the Concept Master Plan in The Day.

town council Endorsement results!

GCA sent out its 2019 endorsement questionnaire on October 9th to 18 candidates to the Town Council. Nine candidates responded by the October 15th deadline. After carefully reviewing all endorsement questionnaires, the GCA Steering Committee selected five.
Only candidates who showed firm commitment to environmental protection without significant qualifiers were endorsed.

Congratulations to:

Portia Bordelon, Aundre Bumgardner, Rachael Franco
Patrice Granatosky and Conrad Heede

Zoning Commission Regulations Rewrite

Drinking Water Protection

The town’s ongoing zoning regulations rewrite has been a main focus of several of GCA's advocates since early 2016. In the first phase of the rewrite directed at the Water Resource Protection District, thanks to this advocacy, the Zoning Commission widened and stiffened the required buffer—now doubled to 100 feet—that protects the Groton reservoir system, including feeder streams. Furthermore, new language significantly stipulates that nothing in the amended zoning regulations “diminishes an applicant’s separate responsibility for addressing…the Town’s Inland Wetlands Regulations.” The new zoning regulations took legal effect August 1, 2017.

Protected Green Areas

Now, the Commission is drafting regulations dealing with permitted uses in 47 protected green areas of the town. These areas cover more than 3,700 acres, including over 1,100 acres belonging to Groton Utilities. Town planners have proposed to divide green acres into two categories: Green Recreation and Green Conservation. The proposed rules on permitted uses are now stricter for the Conservation areas than for the Recreation areas. As of this writing (Feb. 7), we have some objections to the proposed categorization of land and to permitted uses on both types of land, and we'll communicate these objections to the Commission with recommendations for changes.

GCA Again Asks Zoning Commission to Heighten Protection of Haley Farm

GCA has renewed its request to the Zoning Commission (ZC) to upgrade the proposed zoning classification of Haley Farm in view of a new development affecting the farm.

The commission, currently working on an update of the town’s zoning regulations, has tentatively classified Haley Farm as a “Green Recreation” area in contrast to the more highly protected classification of “Green Conservation” envisioned for Bluff Point. GCA has argued at ZC meetings that Haley Farm and Bluff Point are geologically similar, sensitive coastal areas linked by a bridge that effectively form an integrated 1,000+ -acre nature preserve.

The unity and equivalent environmental quality of Bluff Point and Haley Farm were emphasized in November when the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced that both are among state-owned properties chosen as a preferred site for a national research reserve. The reserve would join a national network of 28 such areas—called National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERR)—that are linked by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). At present, Connecticut is only one of two salt-water coastal states without a NERR.

DEEP said that Long Island Sound, which it called the state’s greatest natural resource, contributes $7 billion annually to the regional economy. The NERR program, once adopted, “can help provide the information decision-makers need....[and] enable new directions and initiatives by leveraging nation-wide programs.”

In view of the plans of DEEP and NOAA for both Haley Farm and Bluff Point, GCA again has asked the Zoning Commission to upgrade Haley Farm’s protected status to that of Bluff Point.

Zoning that Enables Groton Redevelopment 

Thanks to Groton’s town manager, John Burt, town planner, Jon Reiner, and economic development staffer, Paige Bronk, the town of Groton is moving hard and fast to revitalize Groton, but with a more progressive approach than in the past: the town is focused on the redevelopment of our U.S. Route 1 corridor rather than more suburban sprawl.

This change in focus is in part the result of a study conducted by Reiner demonstrating that young professionals prefer mixed-use developments where housing, shopping, and entertainment are combined.  We believe there is real opportunity to redevelop the Route 1 strip malls into a much more appealing area if the town makes it financially attractive to move to mixed-use zoning.  We have been showing up regularly at the Zoning Commission’s twice-monthly meetings with suggestions about mixed use, public transportation needs, and open space.

The Town’s economic development push also includes selling off and receveloping surplus properties.  GCA is interested in the fate of the Mystic Education Center (former Oral School) on the eastern edge of town, a beautiful state-owned property (surrounded by CT DEEP-owned forest) overlooking the Mystic River that has been unoccupied for years. We have talked to both state and town administrators who all agree that the sale of the property will include keeping the forested portion in open space and open to the public for walking. The RFP process is in the final stage. According to Paige Bronk, “there has been significant interest by multiple groups.” As of late September 2018 Bronk expects to announce a finalist in early 2019. Any day now!

Another key piece of downtown Groton revitalization should be bringing a Shoreline East railroad station to Groton to connect New Haven, New London and Westerly.  Right now, there is a gap between New London and Westerly. With a huge influx of new workers coming to Electric Boat as it ramps up to build two submarines a year instead of one,  this station would be a great boon to commuters and downtown Groton. In addition, we could reopen to the public an existing track that connects Pfizer, Electric Boat, and the Groton plazas. GCA  has been meeting with regional and state transportation officials to promote this idea. 

Advocacy Education

GCA Participates in UCONN “Alternative Break” Program

In September 2018, a UCONN Alternative Break trip director contacted GCA with a request that we take part in an weekend-long immersive experience for 22 students from Storrs and Avery Point on the topic of local coastal environmental issues and advocacy. We gladly accepted. Between 8-10 am on Sunday, Nov. 11th, Jim Furlong, Liz Raisbeck, Jessie Stratton and Eugenia Villagra took turns talking about and taking questions on: when and why we became environmental advocates and formed GCA; the on-going problems of pollution and sea-level rise in Long Island Sound; the critical importance of advocacy in protecting open space and the quality of Groton’s air, drinking water and the resources of Long Island Sound; how to be effective advocates; and finally, some specifics on the projects we have undertaken since forming a year ago. The session went well and they invited us back again next year!

Constitutional Amendment passed!

UPDATE November 2018

The amendment passed by a whopping 85% majority! Exactly the margin we were hoping for to send a decisive message to Groton Town Hall and Hartford.
Background info:
 On July 19 two GCA steering committee members attended a meeting at CT Forest & Parks announcing the formation of a new 501c4 organization and state Referendum Committee focused on raising money and awareness about the urgent need to protect public lands with the passage of this ballot measure. GCA is listed among the 138 organizations statewide that support the constitutional amendment, and we will financially support the Coalition as individuals; we hope you will too. But above all, vote YES on Nov. 6th! 

Donate online here and encourage others to do so as well. You can also visit and share the new landing page for the Protect CT Public Lands Coalition, Inc that offers basic information, a place to sign-up, and a donation page.

Update: May 10, 2018 PASSED! RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO PROTECT REAL PROPERTY HELD OR CONTROLLED BY THE STATE.

The  General Assembly gave final approval to a resolution that places a proposed constitutional amendment on the general election ballot this November 6th.

With limited exceptions, it would prohibit the legislature from requiring a state agency to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of real property or an interest in real property to non-state entities. Sales could be made only after a public hearing and passage of special legislation by a two-thirds margin.

Click here for more background information on the ProteCT Public Lands website.

The Day published an excellent editorial endorsing the constitutional amendment on October 17th. Unlike our letter below, limited to 200 words, this 646 word editorial covers the depth and breadth of the question. Be sure to read it!

Click here to read our October 11 Letter to the Editor

Read GCA's May 7th Letter to the Editor in the Day commending state Reps. Joe de la Cruz and Christine Conley and Sen. Heather Somers for co-sponsoring SJ 35

merritt-boulder heights/King-Kolnaski property swap: crisis averted

UPDATE: August 8, 2018 New London Superior Court Approves Swap!

A letter to GCA from John Burt, Town Manager

"I have good news.  The Court authorized us to utilize the Merritt property for the new combined middle school.  We still need to hold the public hearing on the King/Kolnaski property swap.  We already had the one for Boulder Heights.  Once we have the public hearing, which is tentatively scheduled for September 4, we will do a resolution approving the swap for both Boulder Heights and the portion of Kolnaski.   

Electric Boat is continuing to work on allowing public access and parking from their parking lot to the south of the Kolnaski property, and we will have a parking area near the beginning of the existing trail on the north part of the property, too.

Thanks again for your support.  It’s exciting that we’re finally making progress."

June 26, 2018 

During a Town Council Committee of the Whole meeting, Town Attorney Eileen Duggan said that the town will file an application with the New London Superior Court to release any use restrictions on the Merritt property and thus allow construction of a consolidated middle school on the site.

According to Duggan, key to this application process is that "three public conservation groups [GCA, GOSA and Avalonia] have publicly reiterated their support for using the Merritt property for the middle school as part of a land swap agreement that would transfer the use restrictions to part of the King Property and a 20-acre property known as Boulder Heights."

Read the full article in the Day here: Groton to File Application with Superior Court for New Middle School Construction

On April 10, 2018, the TC Committee-of-the-Whole unanimously passed the following resolution: "...to support, through General Statutes 7-131d, et. Seq., and DEEP, the addition of a 35 plus-acre portion of the King/Kolnaski School property on the western edge along Birch Plain Creek to the Boulder Heights property, as part of the transfer from the Merritt Property of the DEEP conservation easement." We will need to support our new Town Council and Town Manager with letters of support as they go before the Attorney General in their laudable efforts to fix this problem not of their making. See the April Action Alert to find out how you can help.

Here's the background story:

In mid February 2018, The Day published a letter to the editor critical of the Town of Groton's plan to swap the Merritt property for Boulder Heights as part of the Groton 2020 (school) Plan on two grounds: that a public hearing on the swap was never held as required by law and the swap ignored protective restrictions placed on the Merritt property purchased by the town shortly after the 1988 open-space referendum. The new Town Council scheduled the long-overdue hearing on Feb. 27.

Alarmed that this land conveyance established a dangerous precedent, GCA sent out an Action Alert encouraging our supporters to attend the hearing. More than 70 people packed the Town Council public hearing to express their opinions about whether the swap should go forward or not. GCA and other conservationists questioned whether the town followed the law governing this conveyance and warned that building on the Merritt property without offering an alternative of equal value (Boulder Heights did not) violated the public trust.  The Attorney General's office, when consulted by the Town about the swap, told Groton that "...a court — mostly likely the Superior Court — would have to rule on whether the town is allowed to change use of the land." Click here for full article in The Day.

Although GCA opposed the unequal swap, it does not oppose building the school on the Merritt property provided that an equitable swap is found. We have recommended that the King property surrounding the Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School be considered as an alternative. See our Action Alert.

On Tuesday, March 27, the Town Council Committee-of-the-Whole met at 6:30 pm at the Town Hall Annex. The Council unanimously passed a resolution "that the town attorney take the legal steps needed to effectuate the town's rights and interests related to the Merritt property and for the town manager to explore additional properties including the King property to place the conservation easement upon it." Click here to read an article in The Day about GCA's position on the swap. 

November 2017 Election Endorsements

Because very little information about the environmental stance of candidates for Groton's Town Council was made available to the public, GCA volunteers made up a questionnaire and distributed it to both Democratic and Republican candidates. Read our Letter to the Editor published in The Day on November 1st for the full story.