Saving Land Means Saving Dollars
by Carol K. Williams
The Trust for Public Lands recently conducted a study that measured and analyzed the economic benefits of land conservation. The studies have shown that “conservation returns from $4 to $10 for every dollar invested.” The return comes in the form of recreational opportunities, flood control, protection of air and drinking water quality, wildlife habitat, and farming - supporting tourism, agriculture, and fisheries.
Rural towns like Rehoboth with a limited tax base benefit even more in the preservation of open space by not overburdening town budgets with the demand for increased services. With each home dependent on a well and septic system, the protection of our individual water supplies is very important, and most Rehoboth townspeople value the rural character of our town and its recreational opportunities.
The Rehoboth Land Trust, the Conservation Commission, the Agricultural & Natural Resources Council, and the Community Preservation Committee share a common interest in preserving open space for farming, resource protection, and recreation. Currently the groups have joined together to place a permanent conservation restriction on a 92 acre parcel owned by the Oak Hill Beagle Club.
Oak Hill Beagle Club, which has been in existence since 1951 for the field training of beagles, has agreed to have their land preserved forever. The Beagle Club has agreed to sell the development rights of their property and place a permanent conservation restriction on the property so that it will remain in its natural state forever. The agreement to preserve the land also includes a perpetual trail easement which will allow public access to a Town Forest parcel via a nice trail on an old cart road. The site includes Rehoboth’s critical habitat which will remain unchanged. The Beagle Club will remain on the tax rolls with virtually no demands for town services. The Club’s generosity in accepting a “bargain sale” of their development rights is a tribute to their value of preserving land and preserving tradition.
The State’s Division of Conservation Services has also supported preserving this large tract of land. Rehoboth Land Trust, with the support of the Trustees of Reservations, has been awarded a state Conservation Partnership grant for $85,000 toward the purchase of the development rights. The Conservation Commission and the Agricultural & Natural Resources Council are contributing funds, and the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is recommending to Town Meeting that $65,000 from the Community Preservation Act funds go towards this project. The final step is Town meeting approval of the CPC contribution of $65,000 at the Special Town Meeting on May 14. We urge all town residents to support this warrant article.