Washington County sets land protection guidelines

At an October 26th workshop, the Washington County Board of Commissioners discussed important operating principles of the Land and Water Legacy program — a voter-mandated initiative to fund and permanently protect land that preserves water quality, woodlands and other county natural areas.

While no official action was taken, the board discussed several issues that had been causing confusion amongst county staff, landowners and others. The commissioners clarified their preference to protect lands that allow public access, but stopped short of requiring it. When public access is not possible, the commissioners declared that property protected by the program must contain significant environmental value.

The commissioners also expressed a desire to focus the program on the best natural areas in the county. Working in conjunction with Washington County staff, the Washington County Conservation District recently completed a plan that should provide much-needed information to help the board, staff and partners better prioritize conservation projects.

We are pleased that the board did not make public access a requirement and that they reaffirmed the importance of protecting important natural areas. FMR remains concerned, however, about the $690,000 decrease in program funding set to be finalized in mid-December.

More information on the Land and Water Legacy plan can be found on Washington Countys website.

— Tom Lewanski, Conservation Director