The Hudson Conservation Commission received a detailed update on June 8 regarding its ongoing effort to secure a major state grant to help preserve the 121R Wason Road property, a parcel the town hopes to acquire from the remnants of the long abandoned Circumferential Highway project. The land, which includes high value wetlands and wildlife habitat, has been a priority for the Commission as it looks to expand conservation holdings in the southern part of town.
Civil Engineer Don Kirkland reported that the town successfully submitted its required Letter of Intent to the state’s Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) in April. Since then, the town has provided extensive follow-up documentation as part of the program’s competitive application process.
“They asked for information associated with the next step, which is basically a lot of project description and project value information,” Kirkland said. “They want maps, habitat rankings, budget information, matching funds, and details on the land’s ecological, agricultural, recreation, scenic, and cultural significance.”
LCHIP, one of New Hampshire’s most sought after conservation funding sources, requires applicants to demonstrate not only the environmental value of the land but also the town’s ability to complete the acquisition and long term stewardship. Kirkland said Hudson has submitted all required materials for the initial review.
However, the Commission will now enter what Kirkland described as a “holding pattern” for most of the year.
“They spend most of the summer and the fall reviewing all of the applications they receive, and in November, they make awards,” he said. “The award is basically just a notice that says, ‘Your application has been looked upon favorably, now we need even more information from you.’”
If Hudson’s application is selected, the town must then complete a series of formal assessments before funding is released. These include a full appraisal, a land survey, a title review, an environmental assessment, and the preparation of conservation restrictions and legal documents. Kirkland said these steps are standard for all LCHIP projects and ensure that the land meets the program’s requirements for long term protection.
Funding, if awarded, would likely not be distributed until spring 2027, meaning the town has time to plan for the next phase.
Commissioner John Walter asked how the town would cover the cost of the required assessments, which are separate from the land purchase price.
“These are things we need to satisfy the grant, and there are related costs,” Walter said. “Does that go through the Conservation Commission? How is that going to work? This is in addition to the land purchase price of the property?”
Kirkland said the exact funding source has not yet been determined.
“Where those funds come from at the moment, I’m not entirely sure,” he said. “I would assume it would probably have to be something from the money we’ve set aside for land purchase.”
He emphasized that no financial decisions need to be made until at least November, when LCHIP announces which projects will move forward.
Selectmen Liaison Dillon Dumont noted that the grant would significantly reduce the town’s financial burden.
“Whether the land costs $100,000 or $300,000, the cost borne by the town is 50% of that,” Dumont said. “The LCHIP is only good for the other 50%.”
Vice-Chair Ken Dickinson recommended reviewing past studies related to the Wason Road corridor to strengthen the application and reduce redundant work.
“In a 2009 wetland study, one of the wetland areas in that corridor was looked at really closely,” he said. “There was a lot of background supporting information that might be relevant for this application.”
Commissioner Chris Cameron added that the land may qualify for additional grant programs, and Kirkland agreed to explore those possibilities as the town prepares for the next phase of the process.
The Commission expects to revisit the topic in the fall once LCHIP’s review period nears completion.
