Carbon County is getting some help from neighboring Northampton County in its venture to kick off its open space program.

On Thursday, representatives from Northampton County attended the county commissioners meeting to sign a memorandum of understanding that will help in the plan to preserve land for future generations. Carbon County previously asked voters in a referendum whether or not it should take out a $10 million loan for use on land preservation and conservation. The response was an overwhelming yes from voters.

Lamont McClure, a county executive for Northampton and a native of Weatherly, readily agreed to help Carbon when Commissioner Rocky Ahner reached out.

“We’re very grateful for this opportunity to enter into this memorandum of understanding with Carbon County,” McClure said before outlining what Northampton has learned to run a successful open space and farmland preservation program.

He pointed out that the Lehigh River, which runs through both counties, was designated one of the 10 most endangered rivers in the country last year; adding that the warehouse boom seen in Northampton has contributed to the need for preservation to help the river.

“As you may know, we have had a tremendous warehouse proliferation in the Lehigh Valley and in Northampton County in particular and as you know, counties have very little influence over zoning decisions,” McClure said. “That’s all made at the municipal level. But the thing we did do ... with respect to our ability to push back against warehouse proliferation (included strengthening preservation of land programs).”

Since 1991, Northampton County has worked to create a farmland preservation and agricultural conservation easement program, adding in an open space program in 2004.

To date, Northampton County has 255 farms totaling 19,278.96 acres preserved, with another 12 easements totaling 610 acres currently in the process of joining the preservation program. There has also been 3,600 acres preserved, including 379 acres added to parks, preserves and trails between 2019 and 2023.

Through their efforts, McClure said Northampton County has been able to award $20.75 million in livable landscape grants for local and regional park improvements, open space plans, recreation, land conservation, ecological restoration and trail projects.

“As you can see, the preservation of farmland, open space and environmentally sensitive land is dear to my heart and if I can help my native soil in any way, I’m glad to do that,” he said.

Ahner thanked McClure and his staff for partnering with Carbon County to provide guidance as the county begins this venture.

“I’m hoping that we can move right along in the footsteps you have done and do the right things,” Ahner said. “... This is going to help us start off on the right foot.”

Commissioners’ Chairman Michael Sofranko echoed Ahner’s thoughts, and introduced some of Carbon’s major preservation program players, including Dan Kunkle and Dennis DeMara, two of the driving forces behind the referendum; as well as Richard Fedor, chairman of the farmland preservation board and member Dan Shoenberger.

“I thank you for the partnership,” Commissioner Wayne Nothstein said, noting that collaboration between counties helps everyone.

The program that Carbon County is starting will provide seed money for preservation to maintain the beauty within the county.

DeMara said that the open space advisory board has a draft of the program and the criteria for applicants that is being reviewed.

Once the program is up and running, land trusts and municipalities will be able to apply for funding on land projects or purchases of land to preserve.

It was noted that the money will be a starting point, but applicants will need matching funds.

One example of preservation was the acquisition of 633 acres along Drake’s Creek. Once that land was acquired by the Wildlands Conservancy, it then deeded it to the state game lands.

“This is going to be not one project, but a mosaic of projects around the county and we don’t know what they are yet,” Kunkle said, adding that the picture will become clearer once the open space board is ready to accept applications. “There will be numerous preservation projects. It’s not $10 million for one piece of land. It’s whatever part of the $10 million that is going to open space that will be awarded as projects come in that are worthy.”

DeMara added that the program is two-fold, with the agricultural preservation program already being established.

As part of the $10 million, Carbon County has committed $1 million and the Department of Agriculture has committed $1.4 million to that program, meaning for the first time in the history of the county, the preservation board can move forward on five applications asking to be placed in a conservation easement.