Soundkeeper's campaign to forever protect Long Beach West ends in success.

With the passing of Question #7 on the Town of Stratford voting ballot, Soundkeeper has successfully assisted in moving forward the preservation of this important coastal barrier beach from development by allowing the Town of Stratford to sell the property to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for a minimum of $10 million.  Soundkeeper raised attention to this issue by creating an informative website and distributing flyers and yard signs to motivate town residents to get out and vote. 

On November 4th, the residents of Stratford voted almost 2 to 1 in favor of the sale (14,090 voted "Yes", 8,783 voted "No").  The passing of this referendum means that once the USFWS purchases Long Beach West (LBW) it will become a part of the National Wildlife Refuge system.  LBW is already listed by Audubon Connecticut as part of their Important Bird Areas program (IBA) for its importance as a nesting, migratory stopover, and wintering habitat for a variety of species of waterfowl, raptors, and songbirds. 

The sale to the USFWS also provides for the removal of the empty, dilapidated cottages on LBW that are an eyesore to the public as well as a source of contamination to the surrounding environment from the leaky septic systems.  The public will be guaranteed access to the property and the USFWS will maintain and keep the area safe to use for present and future generations. 

Update:   In April 2009, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Coastal Program was awarded $909,000 in federal stimulus funds for removal of 40 abandoned cottages on Long Beach West in Stratford.  These federal funds - supplemented by other grants awarded to The Trust for Public Land by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - will help restore one of the most significant coastal sites in Connecticut and improve public access to Long Island Sound. The Trust for Public Land, USFWS, DEP, and Audubon Connecticut are working together to secure the necessary permits and approvals from local, State and federal agencies to begin on-the-ground work. The USFWS expects work to begin in the fall of this year. Audubon Connecticut is also beginning work on an extensive conservation planning process for the Great Meadows Area, including Long Beach and Pleasure Beach. The conservation plan will include public input from a variety of stakeholders, with the final plan to be completed by December 2009.

11/10/2008