Rep. Courtney, Senator Dodd Applaud Passage Of Public Lands Preservation Bill That Will Protect Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor

Press Release

Senator Chris Dodd and Congressman Joe Courtney announced that the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation that will help to preserve the Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor. Congressman Courtney's H.R. 397, which extends the Heritage Corridor designation to the ‘Last Green Valley' through 2015, was included in S. 22, the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009.

"This is an important day for the future of the Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor," stated Courtney. "As one of the last unspoiled natural resources in our region it is critical that we continue to do all that is possible to preserve this area. I thank Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman for their fervent advocacy in the Senate and to my colleagues in the House for their appreciation of just how important preserving this large tract of unspoiled land is to eastern Connecticut and all of New England."

"Today signals a victory for everyone who has fought for so long to ensure that the natural beauty and precious resources of Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley are preserved," said Dodd. " ‘The Last Green Valley' is home to countless species of wildlife and foliage found throughout the region's seven forests and 80 lakes and ponds, and for residents of Eastern Connecticut, it offers an unspoiled escape from urban sprawl. I thank Congressman Courtney for his tireless work on this issue and the rest of my colleagues for recognizing the Last Green Valley's cultural, historic, and environmental significance to Eastern Connecticut and New England."

Senator Dodd and Representative Courtney introduced legislation to extend the authorization of the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor Act of 1994, in January as the new 111th Congress commenced. The bill extends the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to make grants or provide any assistance under the Act for the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor to September 30, 2015; and increases the total amount that may be appropriated for the Corridor - by another $5 million to $15 million. Without the extension, the Corridor's authorization would have expired on September 30, 2009.

"This has been long road trying to reauthorize The Last Green Valley. Our funding could have ended quickly in September if this bill had not been passed. Thankfully, Congressman Courtney and Senator Dodd understand the true impact of the federal investment in The Last Green Valley, that each federal dollar spent was being matched many times over by the multitude of partners working for the National Heritage Corridor. We are grateful to them for their unrelenting support for this critical legislation. The reauthorization will pave the way for The Last Green Valley to reach its goal of self-sustainability by 2015," said Charlene Cutler, Executive Director and CEO of The Last Green Valley in Danielson.

Senator Dodd and Congressman Courtney have been consistent supporters of the Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor and secured $711,000 for the Corridor in Fiscal Year 2008.

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