Groton Open Space Association

Oysterman Expresses Concern About Four Winds, Great Brook

GROTON–A Pawcatuck oyster farmer has told the Groton Open Space Association that he is concerned about the potential impact on water quality of the proposed Four Winds and Great Brook housing developments.

A recent letter from Stephen J. Plant, of Connecticut Cultured Oysters in Pawcatuck, to Priscilla Pratt, GOSA president, was read Nov. 29, 2004, at GOSA’s monthly directors meeting.

Text of the letter follows:

“Dear Ms. Pratt:

“I would like to express my concern over the proposed development plans for both the Watrous property (Four Winds Development) on the Noank-Ledyard Road and the Great Brook development off Route 184. While I am not ‘anti-development’ by any means, projects must be planned with consideration for the surrounding environment and effects on that environment into the future. Population densities along the entire East Coast are becoming so high, that even with improved sewage treatment, the sheer volume of treated effluent and non-point runoff is having a deleterious effect on estuarine water quality. As an oyster farmer with first-hand knowledge of hatchery operations, I can tell you that changes in the upstream/upland environment have a profound effect on water quality/chemistry in the estuary. I have seen a single heavy rainfall event wash enough contaminants into the estuary to kill an entire spawning run of larval shellfish overnight. As populations continue to rise, insuring the ability of inland wetlands to filter upland-generated contaminants will be even more important in maintaining coastal marine water quality.

“Much press and publicity went with the recently adopted ‘no discharge zone’ between the Thames River and the Rhode Island line, yet that new initiative to improve coastal water quality will mean nothing if not supported by intelligent planning in the upland watersheds. The proposed Watrous property development would require the building of a road across an extensive area of wetland and one of Connecticut’s largest vernal pools. Certainly, with some creative thinking, there are options to this plan that will minimize the impact on this wetland area and allow it to continue filtering water as it was meant to do. If we don’t start start to design real estate projects in harmony with the surrounding environment, we will eventually degrade the very environment and water quality people move to this end of the state to enjoy. Please don’t let what has happened to Long Island Sound at the western end of the state happen here! Long-range thinking should not be sacrificed because we happen to be in a ‘hot’ real estate market. Thank you for your time and I applaud your continuing efforts to preserve open spaces.

“Sincerely,

/signed/

Stephen J. Plant”