Rep. McCarty Backs Efforts to Save the Oswegatchie Hills & Niantic River

who received an excellent voting record on environmental issues during, her first legislative term, recently attended an opening reception at the Waterford Community Center that introduced informational exhibits regarding the importance of preserving the Oswegatchie Hills and Niantic River.

“I support wholeheartedly the goal of the Friends of Oswegatchie and Save the River/Hills to maintain this area as open space and conservation lands, in accordance with the town’s Plan of Conservation
and Development,” said Rep. McCarty. “The murals at the Waterford Community Center show the historic, environmental and ecological significance of the natural resources provided by the Oswegatchie Hills.”

The 236 acres of Oswegatchie Hills are covered by coastal forest, mature forests and rock outcroppings across the Niantic River in East Lyme. The area borders Waterford, and as a part of the local ecosystem, provides invaluable natural resources like clean air and water, and habitat for local wildlife, migrating birds and native plants. With its tidal estuary flowing directly into Long Island Sound, any pollution in the area could affect the States of Connecticut and New York on a larger scale. The hills also serve as a highly-sought-after hiking destination for local residents as well as tourists.

Conservation initiatives, often jointly coined as “Save the Last Mile,” are largely driven by the Friends of Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve, Connecticut Fund for the Environment (Save the Sound) and Save the River-Save the Hills, a grassroots environmental organization founded by Fred Grimsey and fellow Waterford residents in 2001 after a proposal was made – and failed – to develop the hills into a golf course.

If you are interested in joining the Save the Oswegatchie Hills Coalition, please visit www.ctenvironment.org/oswegatchie. There will also be an “Impressions of Oswegatchie Hills” art gallery
held in late October at the Artisan Framing & Gallery in Niantic to benefit Save the River-Save the Hills. All wildlife drawings, paintings and photographs are done by Kelly Leahy Radding of Columbia, CT. The
opening reception will take place on Friday, October 21 from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. A “Birds of Prey” education program, children’s activities, and an artist demonstration will also be offered on October 22 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The exhibition will close on November 5, 2016.