The state of Colorado is tightening its belt on land
purchases, and Democratic Rep. Mark Udall wants someone to account
for it.
The state’s Department of Natural
Resources has been discussing a moratorium on buying properties for
wildlife habitat, says Greg Walcher, the department’s executive
director. Budget concerns drove the decision. “We decided we would
take a temporary time-out on initiating new land acquisitions while
we re-examine our priorities,” he says.
Udall
fears that the moratorium will render the agency ineligible for
certain state and federal funds normally granted for land
purchases. He is also concerned about a report in an agency
newsletter that said the ban on habitat purchases will extend to
open-space acquisitions.
“I think the ball is in
(the department’s) court to clarify the policy they’re operating
under,” Udall says.
Walcher dismisses these
concerns and insists the policy will apply only to habitat
purchases. For those, the state is examining alternatives, such as
conservation easements for future land deals. Easements are less
costly, less controversial and easier to manage than outright
acquisitions, say agency officials. “You get more bang for your
buck,” says Department of Natural Resources spokesman Todd
Malmsbury.
While conservation easements are
viable options in some cases, Udall replies, they are often
difficult to enforce and can be almost as expensive as direct
purchase of lands.
Besides, he says, a full range
of tools should be available for preservation. “I don’t want
Colorado to take any options off the table.”
*Catherine Lutz
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Buy land now, says Udall.
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