No State Police Gun Training Range in Griswold

NO STATE POLICE GUN TRAINING RANGE IN GRISWOLD

Date Name Address City, State, Zipcode E-mail Phone Number

The Honorable______

Dear ______,

I am very fortunate to live in the Town of Griswold in Eastern CT. It has beautiful natural resources in the many miles of State Forest that supports hiking, horseback riding, multiple camp sites for overnight camping and water sources for fishing, kayaking, canoeing and drinking water for Jewett City. The forest provides an excellent educational experience that offers one the enjoyment of the great outdoors.

Recently, I have become very concerned about the proposed STATE POLICE GUN TRAINING RANGE on Lee Road in Griswold CT and the impact on the surrounding State Forest. I am sure that you share many of these concerns.

Currently the State of Connecticut revealed a budget shortage of nearly 1 billion dollars. It would be financially irresponsible to build STATE POLICE GUN TRAINING RANGE on Lee Road in Griswold CT and add to the deficit. The present training range in Simsbury has been in existence for 68 years and it would fiscally responsible to update that facility. The Simsbury facility equalizes the travel time for all State Troopers while the Griswold facility would significantly increase the travel time for the State Troopers from Western CT.

In addition, the environmental impact ranges from the water shed supplies and wetlands contamination (from lead contamination from the bullets) to the disruption of wildlife habitat (from the noise and light pollution).

Lastly, the negative economic effect to the Town Of Griswold would include a reduction of tourism, increase of residents’ tax burden to maintain the facility roadways and lower home values in the surrounding areas of the training facility

In closing, I request you support the removal of the Griswold site from the STATE POLICE GUN TRAINING RANGE committee’s list. First, it is not fiscally sound for the state of Connecticut, second it will disrupt the environment and lastly it will not provide an economic boost to the surrounding communities. I believe that in supporting this appeal you will enhance the vacation industry to enjoy the outdoors in the State Forests of Eastern CT. Sincerely, (Signature)

Your Name