What Can I Do?
Realtors
Representing Clients in the Zone
When people consider buying a new home or property, they often turn to realtors. As knowledgeable professionals, brokers and agents can offer information on towns’ schools, taxes, recreation opportunities, all the factors that lead to a decision to move into a community.
If the “right” home isn’t available, realtors can offer great advice on changes people might make to achieve their dream home, and even suggest local professionals for the work.
Another helpful notification is to inform buyers that their property is within the Zone. The eight lower river valley towns have standards for Zone properties with certain restrictions and obligations in place to protect the natural riverway view.
In exchange, homeowners can know that the natural beauty of the area – just that which attracted them to the town – will be preserved in their neighborhood and also across the river on its opposite shore and hillsides.
A great tip realtors can offer clients is to suggest that they first contact town land use officials or reach out to Connecticut River Gateway Commission staff to learn about the specific residential building standards that protect the Zone. The Gateway Commission is happy to offer practical advice to those seeking their dream home.
The Connecticut River has a very impressive list of honors.
The lower river and its wetlands complex were named by the International Ramsar Convention as being “internationally important.” The river tidelands, including the Zone, are considered one of the Western Hemisphere’s “40 Last Great Places” by the Nature Conservancy. It is the first, and only, National Blueway per the federal Department of the Interior. And it is an “American Heritage River.”