Urbanization threatens Valley grasslands

JOEL DAVIDSON/Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU -- A quick drive around the Springer Loop system, just outside downtown Palmer, reveals thousands of acres of open grassland and hayfields. With each passing summer construction season, however, more and more of that open land is being converted to subdivisions and urban developments.

The phenomenon is not unique to Alaska. Nationwide, open land is increasingly threatened by expanding urbanization. Cleared hayfields offer optimal housing tracts for developers who don't have to cut trees and haul stumps before beginning construction.

According to Mark Weatherstone, Alaska's assistant state conservationist for programs, most threatened land in Alaska is in the Mat-Su, where farming and ranching was first established by colonists in the 1930s. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average age of U.S. farmers and ranchers has been increasing for decades now, and many smaller operations feel increasing pressure to sell their property and cash in on high real-estate values.

The USDA, concerned about the rapid depletion of open lands, is offering financial incentives for property owners to keep them from selling off their land to developers. The USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service is offering a voluntary program to help property owners conserve, restore or enhance productive grazing land.

Weatherstone said that land provides more than just bales of hay.

"They provide wildlife habitat, water-quality protection and protection from erosion," he said.

The Grassland Reserve Program offers conservation easements or rental agreements for eligible grasslands. Conservation easements pay landowners the fair market value of their property minus the grazing land value. The rental agreements pay $12.50 per acre, annually. Both landowners and operators are eligible to apply for long-term agreements, lasting from 10 to 30 years. In some cases, permanent easements are available. The application deadline is Jan. 28.

Weatherstone said landowners would still be able to cut hay and graze cattle on the land but would not be able to build permanent structures and, if the land were sold, the easement or rental agreement would remain intact.

"This is important for landowners to consider to protect the historic agricultural values of the Mat-Su Valley and to preserve open spaces," Weatherstone said. "It's important to people to see a mix of grasslands and agriculture with urban development."

The 2005 funding allocation for the program is $1.15 million. To qualify, a tract of land needs to be at least 40 contiguous acres. Applications not selected in fiscal year 2005 will be deferred and considered for funding during the next available period. All signups are conducted at the USDA service centers in Alaska. For more information, people may call 761-7760.

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.