Q: What is the goal?

A: To purchase a conservation easement on 320 acres of land across from the Silver Creek visitor’s center – on the south side of Kilpatrick Road.  After a year of negotiations, this purchase is scheduled to close on April 30, 2009.

Q: Why purchase an easement? Haven’t all of the other easements at Silver Creek been donated?

A: Not all landowners are able to afford to donate a conservation easement.  In this case, the landowner is a classic rancher who is land rich and cash poor. He wants to protect the agricultural use of the property in perpetuity but does not have the financial ability to donate the value of the easement.

Q: Okay, but why is an easement on this land so important?

A: This property is a key piece of the Silver Creek watershed area that is not protected. It is zoned for 7 homes. A main access route to this land is from Kilpatrick Road that curves around the east border of the Preserve and leads to the visitor’s center. If we do not purchase the easement, the owner has told us that a developer is interested in buying the property.  The development of homes on this property would have a severe negative impact on: the wildlife corridors from the Picabo hills; water quality of the creek; the scenic qualities of the Preserve; and the upland bird habitat and nesting grounds.  Homes built on this property would be visible from Silver Creek, highway 20 and many surrounding properties. Additional impacts to Silver Creek Preserve include road development, increased impermeable surfaces, water pollution, traffic, and elimination of historic agricultural uses.

Q: Why now?

A:  For 20 years the landowner was not responsive to our requests to discuss an easement. Last year, however, the landowner approached us of his own volition. He made it clear to us that his offer of an easement sale is a one-time offer.  He is now in his 80’s and has been an agricultural producer in the Wood River Valley for more than 50 years. He would prefer to keep the land in the family but he is worried about tax issues with his estate. It appears he is also ready to retire and would like to have some financial comfort to do so.

Q: How much will the easement cost?

A:  The negotiated purchase price of the conservation easement – which includes 5 development rights – is $1,100,000. The Nature Conservancy needs $550,000 in donations and pledges by April 6 in order to secure a loan for the purchase.