Preserving Farmland and Riparian Buffers

he RVLT recently accepted conservation easements on three separate farm fields near Blissfield that have been taken out of agricultural production through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). Previously, we have helped permanently preserve two parcels of farmland in the Tecumseh area. In addition, we support local growers of produce and collaborate with them to raise awareness of the many benefits of eating locally grown food.

We would like to clarify our position on the seemingly incompatible efforts of preserving farmland and land that has been removed from agricultural production. Of the 600 acres of conservation easements we hold, about 170 acres are actively farmed; the rest is mostly woods and wetlands.

The recent CREP easements are located in the floodplain of the River Raisin. The fields were often flooded in the spring, when the tilled soil would contribute its load to the already muddy river. They will still flood, but are now planted to perennial grass cover, which minimizes sediment loading to the river. The two working farms we helped preserve are not subject to flooding and are suitable for agriculture, an important part of our culture and our economy (not to mention being necessary to sustain life).

When the RVLT board decides to accept a conservation easement, we consider the use of the property in the past and present, as well as its potential use. Many of the easements we hold include land that was formerly farmed. In some cases, the property owners have reserved the right to use some of the land for agriculture in the future. We agree to those conditions when it makes sense environmentally. Our easements always require that land be used in a way that is sustainable.

Agriculture is important to our way of life, and we believe it makes sense to permanently protect farmland when the opportunity arises. Likewise, we believe it makes sense to improve and protect the water quality of the River Raisin, and that one way of doing that is by removing some agricultural land from production and ensuring it will not be developed. With all three of our CREP easements, the farm owners continue farming additional acres that are not enrolled in CREP (and are not covered by a conservation easement).

Development can and will come to many areas, but we should use the tools we have, including permanent conservation easements, to make sure future generations can continue to know and appreciate what "rural" means, and to eat locally grown food. The RVLT remains committed to preserving natural areas, rural and historical features of the River Raisin Watershed, including woods, wetlands and active farms.

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