Conservation
easement protects a key
stretch of Silver Creek
"This
is one of the most critical properties on the main stem of Silver
Creek."
Mike
Stevens, South-Central
Idaho program manager for The Nature Conservancy
One of the
last unprotected stretches of the main stem of Silver Creek has been
preserved with a conservation easement, The Nature Conservancy of Idaho
reported Friday.
The
conservation easement on the property, previously owned by Robert and
Kathryn Gardner and Mary Ellen Drashner and sold to John and Elaine
French, will protect 510 acres, including over one mile that fronts Silver
Creek.
The
property borders the Idaho Department of Fish and Game access area at
Point of Rocks, northwest of Picabo, and other private lands already
protected under conservation easements. The Nature Conservancy facilitated
the transaction for the Frenches, who are donating an easement on the
entire property.
"This
is one of the most critical properties on the main stem of Silver
Creek," said Mike Stevens, South-Central Idaho program manager for
the Conservancy. "The property is the last remaining unprotected
piece in an 8 mile stretch of the main stem that extends from the
Conservancy's preserve to our furthest downstream easement. It was a
missing piece in the puzzle that the Conservancy has sought to protect for
years."
The
easement will prohibit subdivision of the property and limit residential
development to two homes and associated residential and agricultural
outbuildings and must be placed well away from Silver Creek. One developed
building envelope already exists on the property but could be moved to
another site on the property if the current buildings are removed and the
area restored.
Farming and
ranching practices will continue with a required setback from the stream.
In addition
to limiting development, the easement sets the stage for large-scale
restoration of Silver Creek's riparian areas, Stevens said.
"The
French conservation easement is a great example of private land
conservation with significant long-term benefits to the public and to
riparian and wetlands ecosystem," he said. "As part of the
donation of the conservation easement, the French family and the
Conservancy have agreed to work with other private landowners and the Fish
and Game Department to restore native habitats and stream conditions where
necessary, so we hope this will benefit the quality of the entire Silver
Creek system."
Because the
main stem of Silver Creek is a navigable waterway, the public may wade or
canoe below the creek's high water line within the property. There will be
no public foot access to Silver Creek via the property.
The Nature
Conservancy is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its Silver Creek
Preserve this year. In that time, the conservancy has worked with 22
landowners to protect nearly 10,000 acres of stream side and agricultural
lands.
"We
first began visiting and exploring Silver Creek 25 years ago, when the
Conservancy was just beginning its work in the valley, " said John
French. "It is a great pleasure to become the stewards of this land
and to become a part of the community's efforts to conserve a biologically
rich and spectacular landscape. We are honored to contribute to the
Conservancy's 25th anniversary by helping protect this key parcel."