Wetland Conserved in Support of Lebanon School Project
The Upper Valley Land Trust and the Lebanon School District have finalized a deed conserving 41 acres of land off Mascoma Street Extension and adjacent to I-89. The property includes a wetland, upland buffer and recreational trails. The School District conserved the property as part of an agreement with the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) to mitigate the impacts of constructing the new junior high school. In addition, the City of Lebanon has agreed to improve management and install a protective berm on adjoining land it uses for winter snow storage.
Former superintendent Michael Harris stated that the School District has used the property for public educational purposes such as environmental study, recreation, outdoor science laboratory work and field trips. In his words: “The use of the property is integral to our educational mission and provides a unique resource for environmental and scientific study for our teachers.†Wetland scientists who prepared a Functional Assessment Report for DES rated several aspects of the property highly including: Flood Control Potential, Productivity, Wildlife Habitat, and Educational Potential. The parcel also includes 28 ± acres of upland, wetland buffer and recreational trails that connect to the large “Landmark†parcel owned by Dartmouth College.