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THE NATURE CONSERVANCY PARTNERS WITH NEW YORK STATE TO PROTECT 44,650 ACRES

$9.1 Million for Largest-Ever Conservancy Land Acquisition in New York

TUG HILL PLATEAU, NY — June 10, 2002 — The Nature Conservancy of New York announced today a landmark deal to preserve 44,650 acres of forest lands in the Tug Hill Plateau in Lewis County, approximately 30 miles north of Syracuse, marking the largest land acquisition that the Conservancy has negotiated in the state of New York.  The Conservancy, with the help of  New York State, will buy the property for $9.1 million from Hancock Timber, a private timber investment company that has owned the land since 1996.

Henry Tepper, New York state director of The Nature Conservancy said, "This purchase, bringing together New York State, The Nature Conservancy and a private timber investor, protects one of the largest and most important forested landscapes in the state.  We are conserving critical natural resources and wildlife habitat, creating new outdoor recreational opportunities and supporting northern New York's forest products economy." 

"The agreement will preserve thousands of acres of beautiful lands and waters and ensure that these valuable resources continue to provide recreational and economic benefits for all New Yorkers," Governor Pataki said.  "Working with The Nature Conservancy, we are able to achieve the goals of our open space plan by protecting natural resources, enhancing recreational opportunities, maintaining a working forest and protecting vital water resources and ecosystems."

The property, known as the "East Branch of Fish Creek Site," is the largest privately-owned parcel on the Tug Hill Plateau, the westernmost extension of the Northern Forest, which stretches from New York to Maine.  The parcel is located east of Lake Ontario and to the west of the 6 million-acre Adirondack Park, in the remote interior of the Tug Hill Plateau.  It includes intact spruce and northern hardwood forests, extensive wetlands and the headwaters of three major river systems:  Fish Creek, the Salmon River and the Mad River.  The East Branch of Fish Creek serves as the drinking water supply for central New York residents.  Managed for timber production for more than a century, the property is a haven for fisher, mink, bobcat, beaver, deer, brook trout, waterfowl and songbirds that thrive in its undeveloped forested landscape.

Under terms of the agreement, long-term ownership and management of the property will be shared by New York State, The Nature Conservancy and GMO Renewable Resources of Boston, a private timber company.

The Nature Conservancy will retain ownership of 13,000 acres on the northern portion of the tract, protecting spruce and northern hardwood forests, free-flowing rivers and streams, pristine wetlands and important wildlife habitat.  The Conservancy will also convey a conservation easement preventing future development to New York State.

New York State will purchase a 1,350-acre corridor of land protecting nearly 15 miles of the East Branch of Fish Creek from The Nature Conservancy.  In addition, the State will acquire a "working" forest conservation easement on 30,300 acres in the southern portion of the property.  GMO Renewable Resources will purchase this parcel subject to the conservation easement.

David Klein, director of The Nature Conservancy's Central & Western New York Chapter, said, "We're delighted to be part of a conservation project that enjoys strong support from local residents, conservationists, sportsmen, the forest products industry and the state of New York.  Preserving these lands will provide countless benefits for years to come."

In order to complete the project, The Nature Conservancy must raise $4 million. New York State will pay $3.1 million, using State Environmental Protection Fund resources and funds from the federal Forest Legacy Program administered by the U.S. Forest Service, for the fee ownership and forest easement. New York State will also provide $1.5 million through the Great Lakes Coastal Watershed Restoration Grant Program. A portion of this funding will be used to develop a management plan for the property, with public involvement.

The East Branch of Fish Creek Working Group, a coalition of local residents, hunting club members, conservationists, snowmobilers, town officials, representatives of NY State's Department of Environmental Conservation, The Nature Conservancy and the Hancock Timber Resource Group, played a key role in determining the plan announced today. The group, established in 1995 with support from the State Tug Hill Commission, recommended that the property be protected in a way that safeguards water quality and natural resources, ensures sustainable forestry and maintains recreational access.

The purchase will create a variety of public recreational uses on the property, including hiking, camping, canoeing, hunting and fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The Tug Hill region receives an average of 20 feet of snow each year - the highest total in the eastern United States - making it one of the premier winter sports locations in New York.