Rollins Pond, Adirondacks
What? A good news? On the ENVIRONMENT? Have I been asleep for 9 months and is it already January 2005?
The good news takes place in the state of New York, but its effect could echo elsewehre. An article in today's NYT reports that "in the largest land protection deal in New York State history, more than a quarter million acres of privately owned spruce forest, untamed river and true back country wilderness scattered across the heart of the Adirondack Mountains will be forever protected from development and opened for camping, hiking and other public uses."
The International Paper, a company owning big parcels of land in the Adirondacks, donated a conservation easement, agreement in which the owner keeps and uses the land and pays taxes at a reduced rate but gives up rights to develop. This creates a win-win situation for both local economy and the public who visit the area for recreation, not to mention the global ecology, for this is no small clump of trees.
A conservation easement is a great idea, but where I live, 90 miles north of NYC, the rising property values due to the steady stream of migration out of the city since 9/11 has made it difficult for landowners to give up easements.
That would have been the case for the Adirondacks if the state did not have the foresight at a very early stage to protect this vast land, the largest wilderness in the U.S. ouside of Alaska.
I climbed one of the peaks in the Northern Adirondacks last year and enjoyed a 360-degree-view of nothing but deep green trees, reaching far into the horizon. Can you imagine my sense of security, something I had not felt for a very long time, knowing that the view was not going to change?
I can't remember where, but one of the salon blogs a few days ago talked about keeping certain key areas, like river banks and lakes, public. This is as close as it gets to that.
This treasure is to be relished by people from every corner of the world. The area is fantastic for hiking, biking, canoeing, and backpacking. There are numerous camp sites, trails, and other recreational facilities that are very accessible. If anyone is interested, contact me and I will point you to the right direction.
11:44:21 AM 
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