More than 11,000 acres that adjoins the Carson National Forest has been permanently protected from development through a conservation easement.
A conservation effort on the Upper Rio Chama River property in northern New Mexico began in 2009. The final and largest piece of the 11,655-acre property became part of the easement Monday.
The $8.4 million project aims to protect the local water supply and wildlife habitat. Nearly half of the funding came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Legacy Program. The state of New Mexico and the landowner chipped in as well.
The property will remain in private ownership but will be safeguarded through requirements of the easement held by the New Mexico State Forestry Division.
The land includes mixed conifer, aspen and spruce-fir trees, meadows and tributary creeks.
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