Lake Tarleton (NH) Project Completed

Warren and Piermont, New Hampshire: Today the United States Forest Service and the Trust for Public Land (TPL) announced the addition of 82 acres in Piermont and 30 acres in Warren to the White Mountain National Forest. The purchase of this land, which includes 10 subdivided house lots and 3 larger parcels on Lake Tarleton, marks the completion of a four-year effort to protect nearly 5,500 acres around the lake. Funding for the project was secured from Congress by Senator Judd Gregg and Congressman Charlie Bass.

Senator Gregg, who played a key role in securing the funds as a member of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, stated, “Preserving the last remaining acreage around Lake Tarleton brings to a close a multi-year effort to preserve what is truly one of the outstanding gems of New Hampshire’s outdoors. Much of the credit goes to the community groups in New Hampshire who have supported this project and worked hard to make it a reality. Reaching this milestone means that future generations will enjoy this scenic area in its natural state for many years to come.”

“Protecting the land around Lake Tarleton has been a priority for me since coming to Congress because of its impact on our environment and economy,” said Congressman Bass. “With the property’s expansion, more residents and guests of the Granite State will be able to enjoy the scenic beauty of the land and the wide variety of recreational opportunities offered by the property.”

“We are very pleased with the final addition of the Lake Tarleton property. This beautiful tract of land can now be used and enjoyed by the public as a part of the White Mountain National Forest, thanks to the strong support and efforts of Senator Judd Gregg, Congressman Charlie Bass, the Trust for Public Land and the state of New Hampshire,” remarked deputy forest supervisor Tammy Malone.

“By negotiating an agreement to purchase the Lake Tarleton property in 1996, the Trust for Public Land was able to stave off a planned development, giving community leaders and concerned citizens time to raise the funds needed to protect this outstanding area permanently,” explained David Houghton, field office director for TPL. “Today, we are thrilled to announce the completion of the Lake Tarleton project with the addition of these critical shoreline lots to the White Mountain National Forest. This effort could not have succeeded without the help and participation of dozens of organizations and individuals, but I especially want to thank New Hampshire’s Congressional delegation. Their leadership and continued support was essential.”

Today’s acquisition was funded by a $2.13 million Congressional appropriation from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. To date, nearly $7 million in federal funds have been allocated for the protection of land around Lake Tarleton. In addition, last year the state of New Hampshire acquired 48 acres on the northwestern tip of the lake to create a new state park.

In 1994 Lake Tarleton became the subject of a major resort development plan, which threatened both the water quality of the lake and the value of surrounding forestland as wildlife habitat. Since then, a coalition organized by the Trust for Public Land, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, and the Upper Valley Land Trust has raised more than $7.5 million in public and private funds to protect Lake Tarleton from development.

“The completion of the Lake Tarleton project is an historic accomplishment,” said Charlie Niebling, policy director for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. “It was an extraordinary cooperative effort involving many organizations, dedicated public servants from local, state and federal government, and the leadership of Senator Gregg and Congressman Bass. Where there is a demonstrated conservation need, as there was at Lake Tarleton, New Hampshire pulls together to make it happen.”

“Piemont and Warren residents strongly supported the inclusion of these beautiful lakes in the White Mountain National Forest, and we’re pleased this has now happened,” commented Jeanie McIntyre, executive director of the Upper Valley Land Trust.

Lake Tarleton and its smaller sister lakes?Armington, Katherine, and Constance?are surrounded by rich hardwood and spruce-fir forests. The 5,500-acre Lake Tarleton property includes critical watershed lands for these lakes and provides important habitat for songbirds, osprey, loons, lake trout, black bear, and other wildlife.

Members of the Lake Tarleton Task Force include the Appalachian Mountain Club, Audubon Society of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Nature Conservancy, North Country Council, Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, State of New Hampshire, Town of Piermont, Town of Warren, Trust for Public Land, Upper Valley Land Trust, and White Mountain National Forest.

The Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting land for people to enjoy as parks and open space. Since 1972, we have protected more than 1 million acres nationwide, including more than 10,000 acres in New Hampshire. For more information, visit us on the Web at www.tpl.org.