Environmental chief stays out of land swap debate

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut's environmental commissioner has turned away a request by a bipartisan group of lawmakers to offer his opinion on a contentious land swap deal in Haddam.

Daniel Esty, Department of Environmental Protection commissioner, said in a letter Tuesday that only the state attorney general is authorized to offer legal opinions at the legislature's request.

Democratic Rep. Richard Roy, Republican Rep. Clark Chapin and Republican Sen. Andrew Roraback asked Esty Monday for his opinion on the legal, financial and environmental aspects of the proposed land swap.

Developers are proposing to spend $60 million to build a hotel, stores and a train station to boost tourism in Haddam. The legislature is considering a bill that would exchange 17 acres needed for the development with 87 acres that the developers own.