DEP Press Advisory on Deer Hunting Cancellation, October 2, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Conservation Easement

Town of New Castle Supervisor Marion Sinek said, “We are delighted to see this extraordinarily sensitive piece of watershed property preserved from future development, thanks to the joint efforts of DEP, New Castle Town and Planning Boards, open space advocates and the property owners. The Town played a catalytic role when former Supervisor Clinton Smith hosted several meetings between DEP and the Sellers during early negotiations.” Commissioner Miele said, “I want to emphasize that this acquisition is just the latest in the City’s continuing campaign to secure hydrologically sensitive lands throughout the watersheds of its reservoirs. As with all of the City’s watershed land acquisitions, conservation easements are purchased only from willing sellers who want to take advantage of this unique program. All acquisitions, whether by easement or fee-simple purchase, are arranged at fair market value as established by independent, professional appraisers.” Under DEP’s Conservation Easement Program, landowners continue to own and use their property, but forgo the rights to develop it further through a sale of those rights at fair market value to DEP. In addition to paying for the development rights, the City will pay a share of the property taxes on each easement it-aequ-ires. The City’st-ax-share is determined by the percentage of full market value that the sold development rights represent. For instance, if ±e removal of development rights reduces a parcel’s value as vacant land by 62%, the City would pay 62% of the annual tax bill (in addition to the purchase price paid to the landowner). The percentage of value is set by independent appraisers, hired by the City, and differs based on each property’s specific characteristics, appraised value and development potential. Since 1997, the City has secured nearly 33,000 acres of land throughout the watersheds of its Catskill and Delaware System reservoirs in Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Putnam, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester Counties. An additional 732 acres have been secured in the Croton System in Westchester County. The New York City Water Supply System provides excellent quality drinking water to over nine million consumers in New York City and Westchester, Putnam, Orange and Ulster Counties, plus the millions of commuters and tourists who visit the City every year. For more information, or to receive an information packet on the City’s Land Acquisition and Conservation Easement Programs, landowners can contact the Land Acquisition and Stewardship Program at 1-800-575-LAND. (Page 2 of 2)

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