Despite formidable acreage changing hands and localized development on former paper company lands, industry has pledged support for sustainable harvests, which again bodes well. Still, it is clear that we are not where we will be in 20 or 30 years and that the look of the future forest is in doubt. Conservation easements fit well in this transitional stage, for though they appear to preclude development, there is still room within their conditions and restrictions for all sides to work their will. We believe the answer is yes. So far, the process of drafting and exercising easements has involved extensive interaction between industry and environmentalists, with good results.
Easements address the biggest problem facing the forest - development.
Though there are both loopholes and areas not covered in most of the agreements, the precedent of prohibiting development, forever, on large tracts of forest land is worth pursuing. Befitting their transitional status, easements are relatively inexpensive. And they provide important first steps toward stronger preservation measures, including a park. It is clear that the public benefits from the easements arranged thus far, which justifies the expenditure of public funds. But we must be vigilant in our supervision, for they are broad and shallow devices not given to feeding deep roots.