The Open Space Institute has announced that a private landowner has donated a conservation easement that will protect a nearly 1,400-acre forest in the northeast corner of the Adirondack Park. The property borders the western shore of Butternut Pond and is bisected by several brooks, most of which feed into Auger Lake, which in turn empties into the Ausable River and eventually into Lake Champlain.

The parcel, a largely wooded Essex County tract owned by the Johanson family, buffers state lands, including Pokamoonshine Mountain, and sits within the viewshed of the historic firetower on the summit of Pokamoonshine, a popular destination for rock climbers, hikers and cross-country skiers.

In 2009, the Johanson family donated a conservation easement encumbering approximately 1,400 acres of land in the Essex County town of Chesterfield. This latest donation protects adjacent lands also owned for decades by the family. Both donations were made to the Open Space Conservancy, OSI’s land acquisition affiliate.

Eric Johanson began traveling to the Adirondacks with his parents in the late 1940s. He purchased a 175-acre tract in the area when he was 19 years old, then acquired other contiguous parcels over time to create a sanctuary he called Baldface Mountain Preserve.

According to a statement to the press by OSI. The conservation easement permits the future subdivision and modest single-family residential or limited commercial (i.e. bed and breakfast) development of two lots, and will otherwise restrict development and subdivision. It will permit passive recreational use and sustainable forestry in accordance with a forest management plan that is acceptable to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The Johanson family retains ownership of the land and may pass it on or even sell the land, although any future owners must adhere to the terms of the easement.

Just three weeks ago, OSI acquired the historic Marion River Carry in the central Adirondacks.