Here in Wisconsin, I don’t see anything like
the conservation easement abuses that Ray Ring describes as
occurring in Montana (HCN, 5/30/05: Write-off on the Range). I
wonder if Ray has captured anything approaching the typical land
trust or conservation easement experience. Montana has been a true
leader in the private-sector voluntary protection of working lands
and natural habitats.
I sense that Ray was looking for
sensation as opposed to balance. The alternative to a
less-than-perfect land-protection movement is ranchettes and
subdivisions as far as the eye can see.
I could be wrong
about this; maybe global warming and a let-burn forest fire policy
will protect the landscape from development in Montana.
Unfortunately, it is too wet in Wisconsin for that. Around here, I
guess we will just have to keep slugging away, protecting what we
can from the bulldozer. I am glad Ray summarized the Land Trust
Alliance’s program of reform. This will go a long ways toward
curbing the limited amount of abuse that does occur.
Doug Booth
Driftless Area Land
Conservancy
Dodgeville, Wisconsin
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Imperfect easement system still works.
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