The Connecticut General Statutes establish the purpose of the Conservation Commission as “…the development, conservation, supervision and regulation of natural resources…”
In keeping with this legislation, the Old Saybrook Conservation Commission:
Keeps an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, for the purpose of making the proper use of such areas;
Conducts research into the possible utilization of land areas of the municipality; and
Approves state grant-in-aid applications for programs to preserve or restrict the use of open space land to conservation or recreation purposes.
Additionally, the Commission:
Makes recommendations on proposed land use changes to other municipal agencies (often by request of those agencies);
Recommends plans or programs for the development or use of all open areas;
Advertises, prepares and distributes booklets, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets for its purposes;
Inventories natural resources and formulates watershed management plans;
Acquires land and easements in the name of the municipality (with the approval of the townspeople); and
Manages municipally-owned open space property when the agency normally responsible for such duties (Parks & Recreation, by our Charter) delegates that power.
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