Recreational aspects of forestland easements in the northern forest region of New York State

Abstract

Forestland easements are the subset of conservation easements encumbering forested properties. These less than fee interests in private land are flexible legal mechanisms that contribute to a diverse collection of land use influences. This study of forestland easements and their grantors in the northern forest region of New York State revealed that recreation rights are an important aspect in the decision by forest landowners to grant a conservation easement. These recreation rights may be legally acquired by the grantee, retained by the grantor, or divided in ways that allows both parties to share them. Financial and nonfinancial values placed on the use of forestland for recreation are evident in the factors affecting the decisions of landowners who granted forestland easements. Private, non-industrial landowners who donated forestland easements most often retain recreation rights to the protected property. Industrial landowners who sold forestland easements commonly granted broad public access to the protected property for recreation.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 1997 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium

Citation

Beck, Steven; Haney, Harry L., Jr.; Dawson, Chad P. 1998. Recreational aspects of forestland easements in the northern forest region of New York State. In: Vogelsong, Hans G., comp, ed. Proceedings of the 1997 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium; 1997 April 6 - 9; Bolton Landing, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-241. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 21-24.