Baird Property
The Baird property lies along the west shore of Snake River bounded by Waukewan Road and the railroad line and extends along the river about half way to the power lines. A press release in the Laconia Daily Sun may be found here.
Announcement of the Acquisition
July 14, 2012 Meredith, NH: At its annual meeting today the Waukewan Watershed Association announced that as a result of its collaborative efforts, agreement has been reached between the town of New Hampton and Elizabeth Clingan Baird to purchase 8.1 acres on Waukewan Road with 1,480 feet on the Snake River. The property will be permanently conserved and contains critical wetlands and an upland buffer that filter the water entering Lake Waukewan, Meredith’s water supply. The Meredith Conservation Commission will also hold a conservation easement on the property.
Ralph Kirshner, Chairman of the New Hampton Conservation Commission explained, “The acquisition is made possible by a $100,000 grant from the Aquatic Resources Mitigation (ARM) Fund of the New Hampshire Dept. of Environmental Services (NHDES). The [Windy Waters Conservancy] has committed to raise $30,000 in matching funds and in-kind services for the project. ARM funds come from fees paid by land developers to compensate for wetland impacts. NHDES awards these funds in a competitive grant process. To finalize the purchase a number of studies will be performed including a stewardship plan covering trail designs and property use guidelines; a natural resources inventory, and an environmental assessment.” |
During the meeting Audrey Goudie, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative Foundation, presented the [Windy Waters Conservancy (WWC)] with a $10,000 grant from the Foundation as the first step towards its matching commitment. Chuck Braxton, [WWC] president, said, “These resources will create conservation and environmental education facilities on 16 acres along the Snake River comprising the Baird property as well as the Jacqueline Spear property to the north. The facilities will be based on the results of the studies to be completed and collaboration among the Association and the Conservation Commissions of New Hampton and Meredith. In 2010 the [WWC] worked with New Hampton and Meredith to place the 8.7-acre Spear property into permanent conservation thanks to the cash and in-kind contributions of our members and the towns totaling about $38,000.
Editor's note: The name Waukewan Watershed Association (WWA) has been updated to the current name, Windy Waters Conservancy (WWC).
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