Good Morning to the members of the Environmental Committee my name is Tim Mack, I live at 24 Rainbow Court, Hamden, Ct. I am an Inland Wetlands Commissioner for the town of Hamden. I am also a board member for Hamden Land Conservation Trust as well as a trail manager for Connecticut Forest and Parks. I am in favor of Senate Bill 237 to protect the York Hill / Rocky Top trap rock ridge. This ridge should be added to the list of neighboring, already protected, trap rock ridges such as Sleeping Giant, East Rock and West Rock.
In the past ten years, the York Hill / Rocky Top trap rock ridge had plans submitted twice to remove over 800,000 cubic yards of traprock by blasting, drilling and crushing on site. These plans would have taken 80-100 feet off of the ridge over an 18acre parcel of York Hill / Rocky Top. Fortunately, the first plan was denied in 2008 and the second plan in 2016 resulted in the developer donating the 18 acres to Hamden Land Conservation Trust.
Although this 18-acre section of York Hill / Rocky Top is now protected by the Hamden Land Trust, the passing of this bill will add another layer of protection not only to this parcel, but to the rest of the York Hill / Rocky Top trap rock ridge. This trap rock ridge, although not as grand as Sleeping Giant or West Rock, serves as an important animal corridor, supplies pristine water to the adjacent wetlands, has multiple natural habitats and is home to the historical beginning of the Quinnipiac Blue trail system started by Reverend Heermance in 1920. This trail system today is state wide with over 800 miles of trails. York Hill/ Rocky Top was just dedicated to Reverand Heermance by Connecticut Forest and Parks in September of 2018.
Adding York Hill / Rocky Top to the list of protected trap rock ridges will protect this unique open space for future generations as a resource for nature, recreation and a pristine water supply. Please vote yes to add York Hill/ Rocky Top to the list of trap rock ridges.
Thank you,
Timothy S. Mack
24 Rainbow Court
Hamden, CT., 06514