Nature Conservancy Clarifies Land Deal
- Governor David Paterson and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo made waves in
northern New York when they announced an investigation into the state’s
purchase of lands in Clinton County. According to a story that appeared in the
New York Post, the Adirondack chapter of the Nature Conservancy made a 57
percent profit off lands it had been holding for about four years. The tract in
question is some 20,000 acres of forest preserve land in the Lyon Mountain area.
The conservancy sold the land to the state for $9.8 million in 2008, a supposed
$3.5 million mark-up over what the green group paid in 2004. The Post article
alleges the increase in property values throughout the region was much less than
the increase in the land’s appraisal. But assessments for timberlands do not
equate to appraisals for real property. Additionally, Nature Conservancy
spokeswoman Connie Prickett told WNBZ the appraisal for the 20,000 acres in
question was $9.1 million in 2004. “So the difference between the value of the
land in 2004 and the value of the land in 2008 when the state bought it was very
consistent,” she said. “We’re talking $9.1 million in 2004; $9.8 million
was the value the state arrived at in 2008 after conducting two independent
appraisals.” The conservancy bought the land in 2004 below fair market value.
Prickett says that’s the case because it was part of a much larger wholesale
purchase made in partnership with the Lyme Timber Company. That purchase
involved 104,000 acres. “When you’re buying 104,000 acres, your per acre
price tends to be lower,” Prickett said. “So you take out a 20,000 acre
chunk of a larger parcel, and the resale possibilities change. In the market
place, there are going to be more buyers for a 20,000 acre parcel than for a
104,000 acre parcel.” Opponents of the deal – and the deal’s price tag –
argue that the state knowingly overpaid for the land in order to gain political
favor with environmental groups. Prickett told WNBZ that to her knowledge, the
state followed the same procedure it always does when it comes to purchases like
the one in question. “New York state followed it’s procedure and did those
independent appraisals and made us an offer on the land, which was $9.8
million,” she said. “The Nature Conservancy accepted that offer, and that
was consistent with our policy. When we are selling land to a government agency,
we will sell it for no more than the government’s determined fair market
value.” And comparing the price the Nature Conservancy pays for land to the
price the state pays is not an apples-to-apples comparison, Prickett adds. “If
you wanted to compare the price the Nature Conservancy paid, with the fair
market value of the land in 2008, you’d have to compare the appraised value of
the land,” she said. “But to compare the conservancy’s purchase price with
New York state’s purchase price is not an apples-to-apples comparison in terms
of value.” Cuomo’s investigation into the deal is moving forward and his
office has received clearance from Paterson – although the governor contends
that no wrong-doing occurred.
Illegal ATV Use of the
Taconic Crest Trail (TCT) -The
Albany Chapter and Taconic Hiking Club have been monitoring the issue of ATV
trespass on the TCT. A local forest ranger has been vigorously enforcing state
regulations, and has apprehended several riders. DEC has repaired ATV damage on
sections of the trail and posted positive signage at several trailhead
locations. It’s important that we hike the trail and monitor any illegal ATV
activity. Please help us monitor ATV activity on the TCT. Report any incidences
to: Please help us monitor ATV
activity on the TCT. Report any incidents to
DEC Ranger Joe Hess at: jchess@gw.state.dec.state.ny.us
or (518)-505-4116. Please also copy ADK at: David Pisaneschi, Albany ADK,
ESP, PO Box 2116, Albany, NY 12220 or at dpisanes@nycap.rr.com.
Please include descriptions of individuals and vehicles, license numbers, along
with date, time and location on trail. PLEASE DO NOT CHALLENGE OR CONFRONT ATV
USERS. Any photos of ATVs and damage along the trail would also be useful.
If you have questions or want to know more about these issues, please contact David Pisaneschi at dpisanes@nycap.rr.com or 459-5969.
Return: Home - Chapter List - Join ADK