1. in the Lower Thames River Basin (TRB) Land Cover, Protected Open Space and Public Access Office of Long Island Sound Programs

2. Connecticut Coastal Management Program DEP-OLISP oversees CCMA (1980)/CZMA Regulate activities below HTL or in TWs Ensure consistency of State/Federal actions Restore degraded coastal habitats Assistance / oversight municipal implementation

3. Connecticut’s Coastal Area

4. CT Land Cover 2002 Percent Developed by Town Coastal Towns Source: UCONN-CLEAR

5. Percent Increase in Developed Land by Town: 1985 – 2002

6. Developed Undeveloped Statewide -coastal towns 38.4% 61.6% 53% 47% TRB towns - coastal area 23.2% 76.8% State Statewide – coastal area 49% 51% Coastal Land Cover 2002

7. Source: UCONN-CLEAR TRB Land Cover (2002)

8. Land Cover Change

9. Timing and Rate of TRB Coastal Area Development Source: UCONN-Clear (2004)

10. Undeveloped Land in TRB as Protected Open Space Protected Open Space is: Land or an interest in land acquired for the permanent protection or support of: natural features of the state's landscape essential habitat for endangered or threatened species non facility-based outdoor recreation forestry and fishery activities other wildlife or natural resource conservation activities. Does not include:  athletic fields  cemeteries  schools 53% 47% TRB towns - coastal area Developed Undeveloped

11. Thames River Shoreline Miles by Type of Shoreline

12. Protected Open Space in TRB

13. Protected Thames River Shoreline Miles by Shoreline Type Protected Open Space Shoreline: Miles and Percent by Shoreline Type Total Protected = 9.7 miles Total TRB Shoreline = 70 miles Percent Protected = 14%

14. Protected Thames River Shoreline Miles by Owner Type

15. Protected Thames River Coastal Area by Owner Type Protected Open Space Area: Acres & Percent by Owner Type Total Protected Area = 694 acres Total Coastal Area = 7,500 acres Percent Protected = 9%

16. Public Access to CT/TRB Shoreline Connecticut Shoreline: - 287 sites - 1 site /1.6 miles of shoreline (460 miles) TRB Shoreline: - 24 sites - 1 site / 2.9 miles of shoreline (70 miles) CT Coastal Access Guide How Accessible is the CT/TRB Shoreline?

17. So What? TRB towns not as developed as Western LIS but rate of development is greater 54% TRB towns coastal area undeveloped < 1985 - subject to few/no CCMP review stds. 46% TRB towns coastal area undeveloped – could be protected or developed according to CCMP standards At 2% annual rate of development  coastal area completely developed in 24 years Much of the Thames main stem developed but opportunities to protect coastal land remain along coves/tribs. Redevelopment provide the best opportunities to increase access Only 14% of TRB shoreline and 9% TRB coastal area protected TRB shoreline is proportionally less accessible than CT shoreline