Largest Conservation Purchase in state history

[mjs1973]

The state of Wisconsin has anounced the purchase of 64,000 acres in the northeastern part of the state. The land contains 48 lakes and 70 miles of rivers and streams.

Here is a short article about the purchase from one of our local news stations.

http://www.channel3000.com/news/8339683/detail.html

[paulnj]

Don't read into that it is totally safe. First comes "limited logging" , then comes swimming beaches, playgrounds, ball fields..... ;)

That is indeed GREAT conservation purchase and I do hope I am wrong on my outlook on the way the government views open space use. I find it odd though , when only last week I heard of the US government thinking of selling off some of our national park lands(I forget where, when and why though)

[mjs1973]

I know where you're coming from Paul. My first thought when I read the article was: What does "limited logging" mean? Limited to all the old growth trees? Limited to all the trees over 8" in diameter? Limited to whatever the company wants to take?

I do like the part that says the land can't be sold for development or broken into smaller parcels. But I'm sure the state or local govenments could find a way around that if they think a Super Walmart would be an economic boost to that area.

There is show on Wisconsin Public Radio from 11-12:30 everyday that talk a lot about environmental issues. I'm going to send them an email and ask them to do a show on this purchase and what it all means. There are two people from the DNR on the program today so maybe they will have somthing to say about it.

[Speed]

I find it odd though , when only last week I heard of the US government thinking of selling off some of our national park lands(I forget where, when and why though)

Apparently it's not very well known, but the US government buys and sells land every year. The sell of land is to help generate revenues to the treasury. But it makes one wonder why they buy land every year if they are sellling land every year as well. Typical government, bureaucratic, mindset.

As for the land being sold off this year, some of it is in North Carolina. And the Nature Conservancy (a great group, who aren't off the deep end) is buying it. That means it will NOT be sold for development and WILL remain open to the public. :-D

[mjs1973]

As for the land being sold off this year, some of it is in North Carolina. And the Nature Conservancy (a great group, who aren't off the deep end) is buying it. That means it will NOT be sold for development and WILL remain open to the public. :-D

That's good to hear Speed! The Nature Conservency has a few hundred acres not too far from where I am. I'm looking forward to exploring it this year.

[srobb]

Paul, part of that land is located here in Ky. Cannot remember the amount, but it is a part of the Daniel Boone National Forest. If I remember correctly, the reason for this area is that the money from the sale(s) will go to the counties affected to help their educational funding. It has something to so with not enough tax revenue from logging I think.

[paulnj]

The nature conservancy DOES sell off land They sell of lesser properties to by better ones at times.

My problem with the FED selling of land is not the ones they want this year, but the ones they may want to sell next year If we let them sell off a 10,000 acres swamp of little use to the masses, when will Yellowstone have a golf community? See where I am coming from?

[srobb]

The nature conservancy DOES sell off land The sell of lesser properties to by better ones at times.

My problem with the FED selling of land is not the ones they want this year, but the ones they may want to sell next year If we let them sell off a 10,000 acres swamp of little use to the masses, when will Yellowstone have a golf community? See where I am coming from?

Most definitely. It has really raised a furor down here over all that. I do not like to see any land like that gotten rid of for any reason because there is no telling what excuse they will come up with like you gave examples for. That was the whole thing on these sales; what got sold off would be able to logged.