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Conservancy plants idea for preservation
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - January 25, 2012)
Conservancy plants idea for preservation
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Burton Township Trustees heard a possible option Monday for an approximately 32-acre site owned by the township.
Brett Rodstrom, Northeastern Field Director for the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, presented trustees with a draft proposal for establishing a conservation easement on the property at 14821 Rapids Road.
Trustees reviewed the 20-page document, saying they will take time to study it and seek public input before taking any action.
Mr. Rodstrom said the conservancy purchases and manages land for conservation purposes and has protected 7,000 acres in Geauga County alone.
The fee to the township for the organization's services is $5,000, he said.
The property, which is primarily wooded, would be a natural fit for passive recreation, Mr. Rodstrom said. Passive uses would include hiking trails, pavilions and bridges, if needed. He said the easement could accommodate an active park with ball fields, if the township wishes.
Patti Cook, chairwoman of the township's park committee, said the land was purchased by the township about 60 years ago.
Park committee member Kit Luoma said the property contains about 440 trees of mixed varieties, including a single sycamore, white and red oaks and maples. He said many of the oaks and maples were planted as a memorial those who served in World War II.
Township Trustee Daniel Whiting said the property was once the subject of a manufactured controversy. He said the board once considered doing an inventory of trees and selective cutting, but there were accusations that the plan was to clear cut the forest.
Ms. Cook said the land was dedicated as a memorial to veterans with the intent that the land would never be clear cut. She said the township hopes to protect the land for future generations.
Mr. Whiting said, because of the land's stated purpose as a memorial to veterans, the board should consult with the local American Legion post for input on the matter. He said he does not oppose forest management but would not support clear cutting.
Mr. Rodstrom said the easement does not prohibit the township from removing dead or diseased trees from the property.
Mr. Whiting asked if a water well would be prohibited under the easement.
Mr. Rodstrom said the well head itself would not pose a threat to the forest, but a road to drill and maintain the well would likely disturb the forest setting. He said the goal is to maintain the park-like setting.
Also, he said, the township would not be prohibited from including the land in an oil- and gas-drilling unit, an assemblage of acreage with adjoining properties, to meet the minimum state requirements for drilling. However, he said, the easement would prohibit a well head, transmission lines or access roads on the property. The township would retain all money for leasing the property and royalties, he said.
Mr. Rodstrom said the only other possible cost to the township would be 10 percent charge on the sale price, if it's sold to a private buyer. He said there would be no charge if it is sold to a park district.
He said the easement would protect the land forever. "The only way to reverse the easement is a judicial ruling," he said. "Our role is to come in and defend it with our legal staff and legal endowment."
Mr. Rodstrom said it's important for trustees to take their time with the matter and gather as much input as possible. "This is a big decision, because this is forever," he said.
Trustee James Dvorak said it's the township's intention to protect the land. "I think that's the goal," he said.
Ms. Cook said, if the township surveys its residents on their feelings about an easement for the property, it will be important to describe what the property contains. "We have to give people an idea of what we're protecting," she said.
Mr. Rodstrom said the conservancy will perform a biological survey of the property to catalog native plants and animals, as well as the soils and water resources.
Township Trustee Kenneth Burnett said it will be critical to ask the right questions on the survey. "If you want the survey to get true results, we need to focus on this survey," he said.
He said the conservancy also encourages hunting on the property, particularly for deer, because they can threaten other creatures and the forest understory when overpopulation occurs.
Mr. Whiting said the township prohibits hunting on the property at this time.
Mr. Dvorak said, if the need arises, the township could implement a lottery system to allow hunters there.
Ms. Cook said the committee will come up with suggested questions for the survey.
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