Hamilton Reef
05-05-2006, 08:04 PM
Generous Au Sable North Branch easement keeps river forever wild
http://www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/news-1/114684217885970.xml&coll=4
Friday, May 05, 2006
Nearly two miles of one of Michigan's best trout streams will remain forever wild.
Anyone who can appreciate long stretches of riverbanks with nary a cabin or dock owes thanks to the owner of this land and the Headwaters Land Conservancy of Gaylord.
The landowner, Arnold Ochs of Traverse City, put a conservation easement on the two miles of the North Branch of the Au Sable River south of Lovells.
That's both banks of the river.
He's got a cabin on his 270 acres, and has reserved the right to build one more.
But the rest will remain wild.
In exchange for passing on the millions of dollars the land could be worth if subdivided for homes and cabins, Ochs will get a tax break.
In monetary terms, it's a lopsided trade.
But for the future of the wild riverbanks of a world-famous stretch of water, the deal is priceless.
Pause and appreciate what Ochs and others who have granted conservation easements have done.
They've looked into the future, and invested in it.
They see their land for many years to come just as they see it now.
Forever wild.
http://www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/news-1/114684217885970.xml&coll=4
Friday, May 05, 2006
Nearly two miles of one of Michigan's best trout streams will remain forever wild.
Anyone who can appreciate long stretches of riverbanks with nary a cabin or dock owes thanks to the owner of this land and the Headwaters Land Conservancy of Gaylord.
The landowner, Arnold Ochs of Traverse City, put a conservation easement on the two miles of the North Branch of the Au Sable River south of Lovells.
That's both banks of the river.
He's got a cabin on his 270 acres, and has reserved the right to build one more.
But the rest will remain wild.
In exchange for passing on the millions of dollars the land could be worth if subdivided for homes and cabins, Ochs will get a tax break.
In monetary terms, it's a lopsided trade.
But for the future of the wild riverbanks of a world-famous stretch of water, the deal is priceless.
Pause and appreciate what Ochs and others who have granted conservation easements have done.
They've looked into the future, and invested in it.
They see their land for many years to come just as they see it now.
Forever wild.