Conservation Commission: We Could Assemble Data on Our Resources, But 'So What?'

Thursday evening's meeting of New Canaan's Conservation Commission yielded a discussion over whether to go ahead with collecting data on the town's natural resources and open spaces. Since the commission is not granted the authority to set regulations, the members struggled with how to convert their possible findings into meaningful recommendations for the town government.

Commission members looked to Willington's Natural Resource Inventory and Open Space Conservation Plan as one possible option. Created by the Willington Conservation Commission in 2007 after they collected data on their town's natural resources, the plan, available here, synthesized the commission's findings into 14 recommendations on how to best preserve resources like wetlands, open spaces and agriculture.

However, one concern voiced by commission member Tom Lewis, was whether or not creating a similar plan in New Canaan would be futile.

"A question we've got to ask ourselves, is does this pass the 'so what' test?" said Lewis. "Sure [the research] makes for a good read, but does it have any weight?"

John Rice, another member of the Conservation Commission, echoed Lewis' concern, wondering if devising a set of recommendations for New Canaan wouldn't amount to more than wasted effort and manpower.

"We've got to figure out if the public or even the town is interested in doing anything with these findings," said Rice.

The Commission was adjourned with the intentions of both following up with the Willington Conservation Commission to determine the tangible effects, if any, of their Conservation Plan, as well as consulting with the Selectmen on whether such a plan would be of interest or use to the town.