March 6, 2023 at 10:07 a.m.
Reader supports conservation easements in Pelican River Forest
There is much misinformation circulating concerning the purchase of conservation easements in the Pelican River Forest which is false and misleading. The truth is that this is managed forest land, under private ownership. The timber harvests from this land provide good paying jobs in the forest products sector, and revenue for Oneida and neighboring counties. Keeping this land in its natural state also creates and maintains jobs in the tourist industry. People who come to recreate in our beautiful area have to stay in hotels, eat in restaurants, use our gas stations, and seek other places of interest. Tourism provides year round jobs, unlike other industries like construction and road building, because this forest land can be used in the winter for snowmobiling, snowshoeing, skiing, hunting, trapping, and ATV-UTV access, again serving neighboring businesses.
The Pelican River Forest is private property. Conservation easements keep the land in private ownership and property taxes are still paid in perpetuity. The owners of this property have a right to protect their property from further development, and to sell their lands to whatever buyer they wish. The Pelican River Forest investment will assure that our beautiful area remains beautiful, that our water remains pristine, and that our children and grandchildren will continue to be able to enjoy these beautiful places.
Public opinion is on the side of preserving this area. One hundred people attended the Oneida County Board meeting at 9:30 am on Feb. 21. Out of those, twenty spoke in favor of this easement purchase. The only attendees who spoke against it were Mary Felzkowski, our state senator, and three county board members. All of the opponents are elected officials. All are bound by oath to represent the will of their constituents. Opposing the purchase of these conservation easements is opposing the people who elected them, and their constituents are becoming frustrated and angry. I personally have been stopped by neighbors complaining bitterly about how they do not feel heard by the people they have elected. At the very least, before making a decision, our elected representatives should listen to us in an open forum, scheduled in the evening, after working hours. If that doesn't convince our county supervisors that their opinions and actions on this matter are unpopular, a referendum should take place at the next election. This is too important an issue to be treated like just another resolution to be forced through.
Once this land, our forests and wetlands, the crowning jewel of our area, is gone, it is gone. We will never get it back. Please support the Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program, and the purchase of these conservation easements.
Kathleen Cooper Pelican Township
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