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On the public land,
good news. In the late 1960's, when I was for the
first time impressed with the US system of national parks and forests,
camping and hiking across the continent [weekly],
I read somewhere that the initial intention of the system was not to
preserve nature but to limit the expansion of private land properties. I
recall that because recently, while hiking in one of the local natural
preserves, I’ve noticed that a substantial part of the preserve is still
farmed - which prompted me to investigate the history of the preserve.
Here is what I've learned:
Washtenaw
County Natural Areas Preservation Program (NAPP) purchases unique
natural areas to ensure their preservation for the benefit of all County
residents, plants, animals and people. The Washtenaw County Parks &
Recreation Commission manages the program, identifying and caring for
lands with special ecological, recreational, and educational benefits.
NAPP
was
established in 2000 by the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners
through the passage of Natural Areas Ordinance No. 128. The
county-wide mill tax (millage) that funds the program will gener-
ate approximately $27.5 million during the period 2002-2011. The
land protected from 2001 to present is 1811 acres in 17 preserves.
It is acquired either by an acquisition or a conservation
easement.
Acquisition
process begins when landowners nomi- nate their property to the
program. Properties recommended by Natural Areas Technical Advisory
Committee (NATAC) are reviewed by the Washte- naw County Parks &
Recreation Commission and the Local Unit of Government where the
land is located. If the Commission decides to proceed with the
acquisition, the landowner will be made an offer at fair market
value, as established by a certified appraiser. Lands purchased with
NAPP funds are owned and maintained by the Washtenaw County Parks
& Recreation Commission.
Conservation
easement is a voluntary binding agreement that permanently limits a
particular property to conservation-compatible uses and activities,
thereby protecting biodiversity, water quality, wildlife habitat,
etc. This type of easement is used to protect land by purchasing the
develop- ment rights without buying the property outright. The owner
retains title to the land which stays on the tax rolls and remains
economically productive. All conservation easements acquired through
the NAPP allow for public access to the land.
So
nice to hear that. High prize to the families who voluntarily limit
the usage of their land, for the public good. |

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