The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife is working to buy 110 acres of Lake Champlain marshland in Colchester that is home to a variety of rare species of fish and plants.
The area just south of Chimney Corners along U.S. Route 7 is known as either Munson Flats Wetlands or the Mallets Creek. It is also home to common wildlife such as deer, mink, songbirds and a variety of lush plants.
State biologist William Crenshaw says the marshlands are safe from development, but bear the scars of agriculture and other human intrusions.
Crenshaw tells the Burlington Free Press the area will become a wildlife management area that will be open for public use such as hunting, fishing, trapping, bird-watching, and photography.