Connecticut Attorney General's Office

Press Release

Attorney General Praises U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers For Rejecting Environmentally Sensitive Site For Army Training Facility

April 13, 2009

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, responding to concerns raised by his office and others, has abandoned an environmentally sensitive site on Boardman Lane in Middletown to build a U.S. Army Training Center.

The preferred site for the new training facility is now Cucia Park, a city-owned park adjacent to an industrial park, rather than the Boardman Lane site which contains sensitive wetlands and an historic 18th century farmhouse.

"The Army Corps of Engineers has commendably heard our message -- and heeded our promise to enforce laws that protect environment and historic interests," Blumenthal said. "This decision is a victory for citizen activism and advocacy -- especially by Middletown citizens.

"This announcement is promising for everyone -- providing a training facility that our troops deserve, while protecting environmentally and historically sensitive land. This preliminary decision by the Army Corps of Engineers fairly considers concerns raised by my office and Middletown citizens.

"The men and women of our armed services deserve the best training facilities possible. Today's announcement proves that a new training facility for our soldiers need not come at the irreversible expense of the environment.

"The Army Corps of Engineers' announcement reveals a preferred -- though not final -- decision. My office will continue its close scrutiny of the selection process to ensure that any final decision recognizes and respects environmental and other concerns."