|
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Smith – Gov.’s Office(302) 577-8711, ext. 3 or (302) 575-6800 – Pager or Melinda Carl – DNREC (302) 739-4506
Carper announces 1,500-acre land acquisition to further Delaware’s open space preservation efforts-- State of Delaware has preserved 29,000 acres of open space since 1993 -- DOVER – In a move to expand Delaware’s successful open space preservation efforts, Governor Thomas R. Carper announced today the state’s acquisition of 1,519 acres and the purchase of perpetual conservation easements on another 4,283 acres, most of them in the environmentally sensitive Nanticoke River watershed in Sussex County. The state is acquiring the acreage from The Conservation Fund, a non-profit organization in Arlington, Va., and the easements from The Conservation Fund and The Glatfelter Pulp Wood Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of P.H. Glatfelter Co., headquartered in York, Pa. The state’s conservation easements are on land tracts either owned or recently exchanged with The Glatfelter Pulp Wood Company. “Permanently preserving this precious land is one of the most valuable gifts we can give to ourselves, to our children and to the Delaware environment,” said Governor Carper. “Safeguarding our treasured open space runs much deeper than just spending state money. We are making prudent investments that will pay huge dividends for future generations. Many people devoted a significant amount of time and energy to make this purchase a reality, but I’d like to especially acknowledge the generosity of the Delaware General Assembly and the commitment of the Bond Bill Committee in funding this acquisition.” Preserving open space has been a top priority of the Carper Administration. Since 1993, the State of Delaware has preserved 29,000 acres of open space and 53,000 acres of farmland, with an additional 119,000 acres of farmland preserved for at least the next 10 years. The state will pay $6 million for the land and easements valued at approximately $6.8 million. Delaware’s Department of Agriculture Forestry Service will monitor the conservation easements to assure that sustainable forestry practices are followed. Public hunting will be permitted on much of the land on which the state will hold conservation easements in perpetuity. “The open space that we preserve isn’t simply for people to look at or use for recreation. It allows the necessary natural mechanisms for keeping our air and water clean,” Lt. Governor and Governor-elect Ruth Ann Minner said. “This is not just a purchase of land, this is an investment in our environment.” The largest contiguous block among the tracts in today’s land/easement acquisition is a conservation easement on approximately 1,500 acres located southwest of Georgetown. The purchased land includes approximately 425 acres north of Trap Pond State Park to be managed by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Parks and Recreation; approximately 400 acres near Marshy Hope Creek to be managed by DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife; and approximately 720 acres near Redden State Forest south of Route 16, west of Milton, to be managed by the Delaware Forestry Service. “Today’s announcement is proof of how much can be accomplished through partnerships. Thanks to leadership in the Governor’s office and the legislature, and great work by the agencies’ staffs, we’ve been able to protect important wildlife habitat,” said Patrick F. Noonan, chairman of The Conservation Fund. “At the same time, through our partnership with P.H. Glatfelter Company and the state, thousands of acres of woodlands will be managed for long term, sustainable forestry. By blending environmental and economic goals, everyone benefits. Special thanks go to the Delaware conservation community, and especially to The Nature Conservancy and to the Hancock Timber Resource Group for their important roles.” “This agreement gives our company the perfect opportunity to expand its environmental stewardship in the State of Delaware,” said Vice President and General Manager of Glatfelter Pulp Wood Company, Thomas V. Bosley. “We see it as a cooperative effort between government, business and conservation interests that will serve each while benefiting the general public.” Conditions of the perpetual conservation easements require Forest Stewardship Plans and Best Management Practices, Special Treatment Areas to protect rare natural communities and unique features, and habitat enhancements. The easements prohibit structures or subdivisions, billboards or trash storage, and mining. Today’s acquisition completes Phase II of a two-phase purchase of forest land property and easements in the Nanticoke River Watershed begun last year with the purchase of 4,527 acres from The Conservation Fund and 4,052 acres from J.G. Townsend Jr. & Co. -30- |
|
Want your news hot off the press? Sign up for the Press Releases List from the DNREC Online Email Lists. DNREC Environmental Release Notification System | DNREC Online
Home | Divisions | Job
Postings | Privacy | Translate | © 2002 Delaware Department of Comments? E-mail the Webmaster |