Rep. Ackert Stands Up for Open Space Advocates

HARTFORD– State Representative Tim Ackert (R-8^th) and Amy Paterson of the Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) on Wednesday testified before the legislature’s Judiciary Committee to express their strong opposition to a bill that would change state law and potentially open protected conservation lands to unauthorized usage.

Senate Bill 144 – An Act Concerning Land That Is Subject To A Conservation Restriction Held By A Nonprofit Land-Holding Organization – would reverse legislation passed last year that protects lands placed in protection from adverse possession. State law defines adverse possession as a way to acquire title to property, generally by an open, visible, exclusive, and uninterrupted possession of land for 15 years.

“This legislation is a clear step back in land preservation and would weaken our state’s conservation, recreation and agricultural footprint,” said Rep. Ackert. “I encourage the Judiciary Committee to reject this bill proposal and to do what’s right to protect Connecticut’s natural resources and open space.”

Last session, Rep. Ackert worked with CLCC to pass legislation that prevents land with a conservation restriction held by a nonprofit land-holding organization from being acquired by adverse possession.  The current bill proposal would roll-back those important protections on nonprofit-held land and enable someone to claim the title by adverse possession.

According to testimony submitted by the Connecticut Land Conservation Council, more than 100,000 acres has been conserved statewide. The CLCC, which works with more than 137 land trusts, state conservation and advocacy organizations, government entities and landowners to increase the pace, quality, scale and permanency of land conservation in Connecticut while assuring the perpetual, high quality stewardship of conserved lands in the state, has 3,600 active volunteers and 37,000 members and financial supporters. As a signal of the land trust community’s commitment to excellence, there are currently 14 accredited land trusts in Connecticut.

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