Statement of Michael J. Kellett.

Proposed forest service conservation easement purchase from the state of New Hampshire. 18 July 1990

Statement of Michael J. Kellett, Northeast Regional Director, Wilderness Society

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I quite agree with you that conservation easements on State-owned land really has no value. What is very interesting to me is the fact that the Forest Service now comes up with a value way in excess of $3.95 million. I don’t know where they are getting it, but I guess it is all right, because they have to have that in order to justify the expenditure of the Federal funds.

And you know, the other thing I would like to say is: Snooker me once, shame on you. Snooker me the second time, shame on me.

Mr. Blackmer, in your statement, in the last paragraph on page 2 of your statement you say that New Hampshire offered the Forest Service to acquire a part of this ground in fee title and the Forest Service refused to do so on the basis that the appraised value was less than what the State of New Hampshire paid for it and therefore they couldn’t acquire it. Is that correct?