HARTFORD — The last large tract of unprotected coastal forest between Boston and New York lies near the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound and is the subject of an $8 million deal by the state, several towns and a land trust seeking to preserve the 1,000 acres from development.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Friday that an agreement has been reached to buy the property and keep it as public open space, but said the complex deal will require action by the General Assembly and approval in a June referendum in Old Saybrook to finalize the purchase.
Malloy called the deal to protect the property “a long-term dream here in Connecticut.
Environmentalists praised the purchase of the property, known locally as “The Preserve,” and said that it will bring to an end a 15-year battle to protect an ecologically important section of forest land. The 1,000 acres will also be linked to more than 500 acres of parklands and public trails.