A Northeast Region Program

Dennis Reidenbach
Regional Director

Permanent Land Conservation is Top Priority

Although it flows through coastal New Hampshire towns that have experienced tremendous development over the past five years, the Lamprey River remains a surprisingly scenic river where evidence of 20th century life is the exception. To maintain the river's natural character, the citizen's group responsible for implementing its Lamprey River Management Plan has made permanent land conservation its top priority.

In partnership with local communities, land trusts, and state agencies, the Lamprey River Advisory Committee has worked with nine landowners to protect 755 acres and more than five miles of frontage on the Lamprey since 1999. Federal funds designated for wetlands protection, the national estuaries research reserve, and Lamprey River protection have leveraged more the $500,000 in municipal and private dollars.

The Council Created a Landowner Assistance Fund

To stretch funding and encourage gifts of land and sales at less than fair market value, the Lamprey Committee created a Landowner Assistance Fund. The Fund covers a landowner's out-of-pocket costs for surveys, appraisals, and other land transaction requirements when the landowner is interested in donating all or some of the land's value. The National Fish & Wildlife Foundation provided start-up funding for this program. To date, Lamprey River landowners have donated $523,000 of property value through bargain sales.

We knew soon after moving here in 1968 that we wanted to keep the property in its natural state, if at all possible, and to allow others to enjoy it as well. Our motivation certainly was not to thwart growth but to preserve a variety of habitats as well as extensive frontage on the river in the hope of providing an informal recreational and learning environment- unspoiled and in perpetuity.

Paul and Fran Verrette-Landowners

The Lamprey Committee and Town of Lee were able to help the Verrettes realize their long-standing dream. By purchasing conservation easements, accepting donations, and purchasing land outright, the Lamprey conservation efforts have protected farmland, wetland, and river habitats for the largest populations of regionally rare Blandings and Wood turtles know to be on the river, and forested riparian and upland habitats.



Lamprey River Management Plan for the Towns of Durham, Epping, Lee, and New Market

Last Updated:
August 05, 2010