Title
Resolution to Approve the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the John Russell Property in Lodi Township, Approve a Participation Agreement with the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, and Appropriate $457,617.00 (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution approves the purchase of a conservation easement on approximately 151 acres of farmland owned by John Russell, located in Lodi Township. The resolution also approves a participation agreement with Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation and appropriates up to $457,617.00 for the purchase from the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Fund.
On August 23, 2018 (R-18-338), City Council approved a grant application to the NRCS - Agriculture Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for the John Russell Farm in Lodi Township. On September 16, 2019, City Council approved the acceptance of grant funds in the amount of $264,250.00 under a cooperative agreement with NRCS to be applied toward the purchase of a conservation easement on the property (R-19-435).
John Russell Farm, Lodi Township
The farm is approximately 151 acres and is located along Textile Road in Lodi Township. The property is considered large enough to sustain agricultural production and is in a location that will encourage additional farmland and agricultural preservation activities. It is adjacent to an existing Greenbelt easement and adjacent to an active Greenbelt project, and would create a contiguous protected area of more than 305 acres. It is also approximately one-half mile from a second Greenbelt easement. The property scored in the top 74% of all Greenbelt applications in the scoring system developed and approved by the Greenbelt Advisory Commission. The protection of this property is a priority for the Greenbelt Program due to the size and quality of the farmland, proximity to other protected properties, and possibility to leverage funds from federal and other local sources of funding. The property also meets the priori...
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