By CARL E. FEATHER - Staff Writer - cfeather@starbeacon.com
JEFFERSON — The Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners gave its support to a number of measures that, collectively, would protect more than 336 acres of county land from development.
The five resolutions protect land along Conneaut Creek and the Grand River, as well as property in Orwell and Rome townships, specifically:
n The 143-acre Kroner tract in the Grand River Gorge. The tract is located about three miles downstream from the Harpersfield Dam and is in Harpersfield Township. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History would be the buyer of the property, with funding from the District 7 Clean Ohio Fund.
The tract has an outstanding forest of old-growth hemlock-oak forest that flanks 3,000 feet of the flood plain on the north side of the gorge. The resolution states that between 8,000 and 10,000 canoeists use the river and more than 2,000 anglers travel to the county in spring and fall to enjoy the waters of the gorge.
The rocky, fast-flowing section of the river adjacent to the tract supports 15 species of dragonflies, including the globally rare state-threatened green-faced club tail and state-threatened riffle snake tail. Aquatic habitat that sustains two globally rare mussels would be protected, along with riparian habitat that supports the American chestnut and five other species of state-listed rare birds, mussels and crayfish. The museum would permit public access to the gorge once the land is purchased. The purchase price will depend upon the appraisal amount.
Harpersfield Trustees gave their support to the project earlier this month. David Kriska of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History could not be reached for comment Tuesday;
n An 11-acre Egart property in Orwell and Rome townships, will be purchased by the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. The property provides wetland habitat for several state-listed rare species, offers scenic views and passive-recreation opportunities, and protects the riparian corridor of the Grand River;
n The 132-acre Stracola property, also in Rome and Orwell townships, likewise provides habitat for state-listed rare species and offers similar amenities in the Grand River watershed. The Western Reserve Land Conservancy plans to purchase the tract;
n The 27-acre Claren property in Rome Township is the third Grand River-watershed acquisition planned by the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. The tract provides approximately two-thirds of a mile of frontage on the Grand River; and
n The 24-acre Woodring property in Conneaut, which provides meadow and forested habitat for several state-listed rare species, offers scenic views and opportunities for passive recreation along Conneaut Creek. The property is being purchased by Ashtabula County Parks and will provide public access to the creek.
Scott Hill, eastern field director for the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, said negotiations on the property purchases are ongoing and he could not comment on price. He said the Grand River parcels are across the road from land protected by Grand River Partners, and if acquired by Western Reserve, would provide a “key connecting link” toward permanently protection of about four miles of the river.
Trustees in Orwell and Rome have endorsed the purchases, said Hill. The conservancy made a presentation to the trustees in which they presented a Lake County study that showed the economic value of greenspace. Essentially, tax dollars lost to protected greenspace eventually are made up by increased value of the adjoining properties and the tourism dollars generated by the greenspaces.
All of the purchases being made by Western Reserve Land Conservancy would be funded with Clean Ohio grants. In the case of the Woodring property, the total purchase is 34.6 acres, but 11 acres containing a barn and home would not qualify for Clean Ohio funding. That property is being split off and will be sold to a conservation buyer with the understanding the buyer would have to agree to a conservation easement, Hill said.
