Township plans to sell land to Nature Conservancy

Last Updated on Thursday, 23 February 2012 08:16 Written by Alex Davis Wednesday, 22 February 2012 21:22

Middle Township plans to sell nearly 50 acres of land valued at just over $109,000 to The Nature Conservancy.

During a work session Wednesday, Feb. 22, Township Committee agreed to move ahead with the sale of properties, most of which are wetlands areas. The Nature Conservancy has protected more than more than 119 million acres of land worldwide, according to the nonprofit organization’s website.

Committeeman Tim Donohue said the sale looks to be a "win-win."

"It gets more open space preserved and we get a fair market value..." Donohue said.

Many of the properties are along the 13 Curves area in the township, said township business administrator Mark Mallett.

The township’s attorneys are in the process of looking over the agreement, Mallett said.

Three parcels could potentially be developed, Mallett said, and those properties are valued at $15,000 apiece.

The wetlands areas were appraised at $1,400 an acre.

"And so many of these parcels are in wetlands and immediately adjacent to property they [The Nature Conservancy] currently own," Mallett said.

Middle Township has sold land to The Nature Conservancy in the past.