Publish Date: 7/13/2009

Plan for conservation easement a good idea

Loveland’s Open Lands and Natural Areas program has been hard at work linking open spaces on the west edge of town.

The newest idea, if all goes well, would link the Morey Wildlife Reserve and Wild property along the Big Thompson River with a conservation easement on the Whiteside property.

While conservation easements generally do not allow public access, the city and Loveland Fishing Club hope the owners could reach an agreement with the city to allow guided fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities on the river and land.

Such an arrangement would be a wonderful way to use a conservation easement, allowing the landowners to remain on their historic property and residents who pay open space taxes to access their purchase.

The city has applied for two grants — one from Great Outdoors Colorado and another from the Colorado Division of Wildlife Habitat Protection Program. Grant award announcements should come by autumn.

Negotiations continue between the city and Whiteside family, so it’s too early to say what might happen with the land. But both have great visions for preserving a beautiful area of Loveland.

It has seemed at times that the city of Loveland has been slow to use its open space dollars, but it deserves applause for its recent projects — such as the Morey area — and dedication to a larger vision.

Negotiating such deals and developing land management plans are not easy tasks. Those involved deserve thanks.

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