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Selectboard supports State bid to acquire timber and mineral rights for White River Wildlife Management Area
Summary
ANR State Lands Forester Aaron Hurst briefed the board on the State's negotiations to acquire timber (and mineral) rights for the White River WMA; the Selectboard asked for a contractor proposal to protect Honey Brook Road from logging impacts and approved a letter of support for the acquisition unanimously.
The Selectboard heard a presentation from Aaron Hurst, ANR State Lands Forester, about the State's ongoing negotiations with the Webster Company to acquire timber rights for the White River Wildlife Management Area (WRWMA). Hurst said the WRWMA owns the land but does not own the timber rights; the State is seeking to acquire those rights in a process that the Town's concurrence would mirror the acceptance of land acquisition.
Webster Company representative Stephen Webster and consultant Fred Glanzberg of New England Forestry Consultants described the proposed stewardship and emphasized that the purchase would not change land-in-use status or reduce tax revenue for the town. "The Webster Group feels the State could be the best next steward of the forest," the minutes record.
Contractor Derek Aldrighetti explained that Honey Brook Road, a legal trail, would need to be temporarily upgraded to a service road for logging access and later restored. Resident Reuben Sotak urged that any temporary stream crossing be removed and that harvesting operations be fully restored to a more natural condition when work is complete. The Selectboard requested a written proposal from the contractor detailing how the trail would be protected and the specifications of materials to be used; the board will consider that proposal on Aug. 3.
After the discussion, Kevin Gish moved and Ted Austin seconded a motion to sign a letter of support for the State's intention to acquire timber and mineral rights; the motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: acquisition of timber and mineral rights by the State can alter forest stewardship, access for harvest operations and temporary traffic on legal trails; the board sought assurance that temporary upgrades for logging will be mitigated and fully restored after harvest.
