Our Tenth Conservation Easement

ur latest conservation easement is a twelve-acre woodlot close to the south shore of Sand Lake. The RVLT accepted the easement because its preservation will ensure that some of the natural lands surrounding the lake will remain undeveloped, protecting water quality and the enchanting setting that people come to Sand Lake to enjoy. The property is adjacent to another 21-acre easement, also a woodlot, which the RVLT holds. Both of these easements were donated by the owners of the adjacent cottages and homes that line the lake.

Murray Paige grew up in the downriver Detroit area and was introduced to the Sand Lake area in the 1950s by relatives who had a cottage nearby. In 1962 Murray and his wife bought this property, and their adjacent home, and raised their four children in this idyllic setting. Most of the easement area is a woodlot with mature trees. A small, grassy area has been reserved for agricultural use, on which the Paige family could have a garden large enough to provide several families with produce. One of Murray’s sons now lives in the family home. Murray now lives in Adrian, but still spends time at the lake with his children and grand children.

All of Murray’s children are supportive of the restrictions that Murray has placed on the easement area. Murray hopes the property will remain in his family; however, they will need to own it for another 85 years to exceed the ownership record of the family that Murray bought the property from. It was part of a Centennial Farm when they bought it in 1962. The easement area and other surrounding land were originally deeded to William Bridge in 1837 by the US government. One of the Bridge daughters married an Ashby, which was the family that Murray bought it from.

The RVLT now has the responsibility of ensuring that the terms of the easement are observed by Murray Paige and all subsequent owners. This will be done by annually monitoring the property. Because Murray’s children supported his decision to place the easement, it is likely that the RVLT’s monitoring will be routine as long as the family owns it.

When the RVLT accepts an easement, it requires a minimum $2,000 endowment that is put into an account to be used in the event that the terms of any of our easements are not complied with. The endowment for the Paige property was provided by a grant from the Stubnitz Foundation, and is the 7th such endowment to which the Stubnitz Foundation has contributed. This kind of grant is often a key factor in a property owner’s decision to place an easement on their property. They are, in fact, already making a significant contribution by voluntarily restricting the future use of their property.

We thank the Paige family and the Stubnitz Foundation for their generosity and foresight. The RVLT is pleased to add this easement to the properties under our protection. Visit our website to learn more about conservation easements: www.rvlt.org

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