Selden Island and Selden Creek

Selden Island (the large CTDEP-owned wooded island upper center) and Selden Creek are named for the Selden family, long-time residents of Lyme and who for generations owned much property in this area. Most recently, Paul Selden lived in the house on the riverfront in the lower left of the photo and, several years ago, sold the property to another family. Although Selden had placed a conservation easement on the property over twenty years ago, presumably limiting how much of the surrounding lot had to be left in conservation and in a natural state, the current property owner disputes the clarity of the conservation easement language and is fighting the restriction in court. Situations like this lead conservation organizations, like the Lyme Land Conservation Trust, who holds the easement, to review their easement language to make sure that they are " iron clad". The Gateway Commission, who also holds easements in the lower Connecticut River valley, must consider these issues as well.