Gardiner OKs conservation program

By Katherine Donlevy
Posted 3/17/21

In its continuing effort to protect its natural environment, safeguard resources from over-development and limit the loss of natural habitats, the Gardiner Town Board unanimously authorized a …

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Gardiner OKs conservation program

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In its continuing effort to protect its natural environment, safeguard resources from over-development and limit the loss of natural habitats, the Gardiner Town Board unanimously authorized a conservation program at its March 9 meeting.

The proposal was crafted and presented by the Open Space Commission in order to streamline the conservation easement and land acquisition process with a clear set of rules.

“The Open Space Commission’s role is to advise and assist you — the Town Board — in protecting undeveloped land and natural and cultural resources as defined in the open space plans. In line with that mission that we’ve been entrusted with, the Open Space Commission is proposing a land conservation program,” said committee member Laura Wong-Pan.

According to Wong-Pan, the proposal would create a standardized approach to the processes that encourages applications, evaluate eligible parcel attributes using available data — such as the Natural Resources Inventory — and gives the panel the responsibility of identifying funding opportunities.

The goal of the conservation program, according to the OSC members, is to recommend parcels and conservation easements to the Town Board for municipal acquisition and to set a priority to acquisitions over lands with the most significant environmental values. Parcels can be either donated or funded by grants and conservation partners.

Though the Town Board displayed support for the proposal, the members were uncertain of some legalities of land use and zoning codes. Rather than waiting to consult the town’s attorney before approving the proposal, the Town Board unanimously adopted the documents pending legal review.

In the weeks to come, the OSC members will be planning an education rollout to explain the proposal to interested applicants and town members. The presentation will explain the OSC plan and procedures. Wong-Pan said they may implement an application deadline in order to generate responses in a timely fashion.