Park County planning board backs letters of support for two conservation easements in Paradise Valley

The Park County Planning Board voted April 17 to prepare letters of support for two voluntary, perpetual conservation easements in the Paradise Valley area — one in the Mill Creek drainage and one on Trail Creek and West Pine Road — after presentations by land-trust representatives and statements from the landowners.

The measures matter because the easements will limit subdivision and commercial development on the parcels, protect working agricultural lands and habitat, and are intended to help preserve scenic views and watershed integrity, presenters and public commenters said.

Cole Herdman, introduced himself as the program manager for Gallatin Valley Land Trust and told the board the Mill Creek proposal is a perpetual conservation easement that “identifies agriculture as one of the primary conservation values to be protected.” He…