The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would like to acquire more than 160,000 acres of land in 22 locations in the four states along the Connecticut River. It would be added to an area named for a 16-term Congressman from western Massachusetts.The proposal to acquire the land is part of a draft management plan for the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, made up of 37,000 acres within the Connecticut River watershed in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Conte, a Republican from Pittsfield who served in Congress from 1959 until his death in 1991, is remembered for his work to preserve and protect the environment.
Once finalized the plan will guide the management of the refuge for 15 years.
Refuge manager Andrew French says the additional land acquisition target is part of a broader land management effort. He says it would take decades to acquire the land and only from willing sellers.
The area would continue to be available for public recreational uses.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
