Dan and Beth Innerst enjoy living and working on their farm in Dallastown, York Township. Their property is unique as it provides high quality soils, woodlands, water resources and active wetlands, allowing the two York County land preservation groups to work together to maximize protection of the property. A total of 72.65 acres of active farmland was preserved with the York County Agricultural Land Preservation Board. Farm & Natural Lands Trust then preserved 68.96 acres of mixed woodlands, streams and wetlands through funding from the County of York Bargain Sale.
The section of the property preserved through the Farm & Natural Lands Trust contains portions of the East Branch of the Codorus Creek as well as a side tributary to Barshinger Creek. Approximately 46 acres surrounding the water resources is enrolled in the Conservation Resource Enhancement Program (CREP), a voluntary program administered by the USDA Farm Service Agency to help protect environmentally sensitive land, decrease erosion, restore wildlife habitat, and safeguard ground and surface water.
The Codorus Creek flows from the Innerst property to property owned by the York Chapter of the Izaac Walton League, a national organization dedicated to protecting soil, air, woods, waters and wildlife. The Codorus Creek then flows directly into the Lake Redman reservoir of the York Water Company. Jeff Hines, CEO of York Water Company adds, “Conserving this land will reduce the runoff of nutrients and sediment into the reservoir. This will extend the life of the reservoir, reduce the costs to purify the water, and improve the quality of our drinking water. Preservation of this property will have a lasting benefit on the community and our water supply. York Water’s been very supportive of this type of conservation. Like our farmland, our water supply needs to be protected for future generations and we commend Mr. and Mrs. Innerst for their commitment to our community and our environment.”
Patty McCandless, Director of the York County Agricultural Land Preservation Board commented on the partnership with Farm & Natural Lands Trust on the project. “As no two families are the same, no two conservation acquisitions are the same. Dan and Beth Innerst’s property is an excellent example of how two separate conservation easements can provide the right blend of income and non-cash charitable donation (tax credit) for the landowner to ensure protection of the entire property. Each organization was able to provide tailored incentives that made possible the protection of all the unique natural resources found on this York Township farm.”
