ALT Criteria

Gerrish Brook in Summer

ALT is a non-profit organization that legally must demonstrate that its land protection projects are consistent with ALT's goals. Each land protection proposal is carefully reviewed by the Board of Directors before ALT accepts protective interests in a property.

Favorable Criteria:

1. The property provides benefits to the general public.
2. The property is productive agricultural or forestland (or has the potential to become one).
3. The property protects a scenic view or is part of a scenic vista.
4. The property protects a lake, stream, river, wetlands or an important watershed area.
5. The property contains significant wildlife habitat, an important ecosystem or natural features.
6. The property is contiguous or close to land that is already protected.
7. The property provides public access and/or recreational use.

Situations that would cause ALT to decline:

1. Protection of the property primarily benefits a single landowner or developer for personal gain, including tax benefits or to insure personal privacy.
2. The property would be a monitoring or stewardship problem, which would make it difficult to ALT to protect in perpetuity.
3. The property would be expensive for ALT to protect and use up significant financial resources or goodwill of ALT.
4. The development of abutting properties is possible and would diminish the conservation values of the proposed property.
5. The landowner is unable to obtain mortgage subordination.
6. The property owner insists on retaining rights to land that are inconsistent with relevant criteria.
7. The property is found to be contaminated with solid wastes, hazardous substances, hazardous materials, petroleum products, or hazardous wastes.

All of the preceding notwithstanding, the Board of Directors retains discretion over acquisition or disposition of conservation easements and land gifts and will review each on a case-by-case basis.