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, 4+ COMMON GROUND VOL, 10 N0. 4 MAY /JUNE 1999
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<br /> Land Banks on Cape Cod Take Shape
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<br /> RI . Voters in 15 towns on Cape Cod, Mass . , convinces a legislator to back a land bank
<br /> OK'd a 3 % property tax hike last fall to raise better than a broad-based coalition of sup -
<br /> $ 114 million over 20 years to save open space . port—from business, sportsmen and conser-
<br /> vationists . When it came to convincing
<br /> The November vote came just 10 voters, the " sky is falling" approach didn't
<br /> months after residents rejected a similar work, she said . Instead, a more positive and
<br /> proposal funded by real estate transfer realistic approach did . "We 're all in this
<br /> taxes . " Only 2% of the population would be together, " Nickerson said . "We need money
<br /> paying for what was good for all of us, " said to preserve the land and a property tax hike
<br /> James Trainor, a real estate agent with Bay is the most realistic way to get the money. "
<br /> Village Realty. Trainor went on to co-chair Their perseverance is bearing fruit. The
<br /> ited for a Cape Cod Land Bank, town of Barnstable recently bought a 25-acre
<br /> People Un
<br /> which convinced voters in November to tract along a tidal river for $975,000, a
<br /> support the new effort. purchase that was probably out of reach i he environment
<br /> The property tax hike, approved by 58 % financially without the land bank money, is our economy
<br /> of voters, will cost homeowners an average said Kathy Sferra of the Cape Cod Commis-
<br /> of $55 . 55 per year for the 20-year life of the sion, the regional planning agency. here . You have to
<br /> land bank . Even though the land bank will The town of Sandwich plans to spend take responsibility
<br /> take much developable land permanently $ 11 million to preserve 500 acres in part to for it . //
<br /> off the market, the local real estate industry protect its water supply . Half the land is a
<br /> backed the new proposal . "The environment private golf course, which the town will buy James Trainor
<br /> is our economy here, " Trainor said . "You with non-land bank money. The remainder
<br /> have to take responsibility for it. " will be paid with land bank funds, which
<br /> Susan Rohrbach, who coordinated the amounts to $ 726,320 this year for the town.
<br /> November campaign for People United, said Like many coastal tourist destinations,
<br /> the path to victory was a learning experi- the Cape is growing fast. With a winter
<br /> ence . " Be willing to work with people that population of 206,000 and a summer influx
<br /> you consider your ' enemies, ' " she said . that swells to 600, 000, Cape Codders have
<br /> "People who didn't speak to each other are watched as 37. 7% of their sandy peninsula
<br /> talking now . It should breed new opportu- has been developed . Local, state and federal
<br /> pities for collaboration . " Two other tips : efforts have protected 27. 6 % of the Cape,
<br /> Persevere and spend money wisely on a leaving the remaining 34 . 7% up for grabs .
<br /> professional campaign, she said . But even with an additional $ 15 million in
<br /> Susan Nickerson, the executive director grants that the state will divide among the
<br /> of the Association for the Preservation of Cape 's land banks, the funding won' t save
<br /> Cape Cod who co- chaired the People United half the remaining undeveloped land, a goal
<br /> campaign with Trainor, found that nothing of the Cape Cod Commission .
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<br /> EM The Fish and Wildlife Service and The chemistry, and computer and business skills
<br /> Conservation Fund are offering a course on as they learn about fish farming. Educators
<br /> the conservation of endangered species on may obtain lesson plans from the Center for
<br /> non-federal lands . The course, to be held Entrepreneurial Studies and Development
<br /> Sept. 13-17, will give landowners, land (www . readiskills . com, 877 / 228-2283 ) . For
<br /> managers and agency representatives an more information on the Aquaculture
<br /> opportunity to compare new approaches for Education Program, contact Marten Jenkins
<br /> protection of endangered species on non- (mjenkins@freshwaterinstitute . org, 304 / 876-
<br /> federal lands . Contact the National Conser- 2815 ) or visit www . conservationfund . org .
<br /> vation Training Center (304 / 876 .7447,
<br /> Sonja jahrsdoerfer@fws . gov) for details . The Conservation Fund has added a new
<br /> member to its board of directors . J. Ruther-
<br /> EM The Conservation Fund 's Freshwater ford Seydel II, a partner with Lawson, Davis,
<br /> Institute has developed an aquaculture cur- Pickren & Seydel, a law firm in Atlanta, was
<br /> riculum currently in use at public schools in elected to the board at its March 23 meeting .
<br /> Alabama and West Virginia . The coursework He is co-founder and chairman of the Upper
<br /> teaches students to integrate math, biology, Chattahoochee RiverKeeper Fund .
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