Preserve/create/restore wetlands . This measure rated poorly 

 under the NED objective, but since it is such an important factor in the 

 maintenance of environmental quality, it is rated as a first priority mea- 

 sure. To insure maintenance of the natural biological productivity in the 

 Sound, Connecticut and New York should enhance their wetlands management 

 program by 1980 to include (1) no development within a maritime zone (about 

 300 feet landward of mean high water), (2) wetland rehabilitation and re- 

 storation, and (3) wetland creation using dredge spoils and marsh grass 

 plantings. 



Establish public environmental education programs . To impress 

 upon Man his dependence and integral role mthin nature, public environmental 

 education programs should be instituted in both states at local levels through 

 the local school systems and through development of outdoor learning centers. 

 Title III grants available through the Elementary and Secondary Education 

 Act of 1965 could be used to support such programs. 



To stress the value of wetlands, several nature centers could be 

 established in carefully selected salt marsh areas along the Soundo Board- 

 walks through the wetlands and signs describing the ecological interactions of 

 the marsh would be an educational tool in alerting the public to the importance 

 of ivetlands. It is recommended that Connecticut support development of nature 

 centers at Sherwood Island, Hammonasset, East Shore, and Harkness Memorial 

 State Parks, Great Meadow, and Shea Island, and New York should do the same at 

 Mto Sinai Harbor and Sunken Meadow State Park, Fort Totten, Orchard Beach, and 

 Pelham Bay Parko The U. So Fish and Wildlife Service should initiate a nature 

 center program at the newly acquired Salt Meadow Refuge in Westbrook, Connecticut 

 and the existing program at Target Rock Refuge, Oyster Bay, New York, should be 

 expanded o 



Establish additional upland vvdldlife management areas . To im- 

 prove upland hunting and non-consumptive opportunities, Connecticut and New 

 York, with federal assistance, should acquire upland areas for combination 

 use as preserves and game management areas o Hunting would be on a permit 

 basis. Birdwatching, nature hiking, and other "non-consumptive" activities 

 would be on a small group basis. Both types of activities would, of course, 

 be seasonal. 



Acquire islands as wildlife management areaso Connecticut should 

 acquire Chimon Island Cin cooperation with the Town of Norwalk) using Land and 

 Water Conservation funds for use as a nature preserve:, and for wildlife research 

 and guided ;\7ildlife tours. Shea Island which is o^^Tled by the Town of Norwalk 

 should be managed as a wildlife area with limited use for research and environ- 

 mental education. 



Three eastern Sound islands (Dodge, Anarews, and Menunketesuck) should 

 be acquired, with federal funds, for nature observation ivith some fishing, water- 

 fowl hunting, and scuba diving. Barn and Great Island should be maintained as 

 wildlife management areas with regulated public use for fishing and waterfowl 

 hunting. It is further recommended that the states of Connecticut and New York 

 should work with federal agencies to establish a natural areas preserve/wild- 

 life refuge system consisting of representative examples of areas of critical 



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