Easement Placed on Shuey Farm Helps Protect Neighboring Buck Creek State Park Watershed

This past December, TLT closed an easement on the Shuey Farm in Moorefield Township, Clark County. This easement was donated by landowners Sam and Susan Shuey and totals about 300 acres, 185 of which contain prime and locally important soils. Having been in the family for almost 200 years, protecting it from encroaching development was an easy decision, according to Sam. This property includes 2,225 feet of road frontage, offering views of open space and rural character on heavily trafficked Moorefield Road and Mechanicsburg Road (SR 4). Furthermore, the Shuey Farm is located within the watershed of the C.J. Brown Reservoir in neighboring Buck Creek State Park. The easement placed on the property helps to protect the water quality in the park now and into the future.

Nearly all 300 acres of the Shuey Farm is covered by a conservation planting of native species and will be for the next 10 years under the Conservation Reserve Program. The conservation planting will help to improve soil quality and provide native habitat, supporting wildlife and  insect populations. “I don’t mind that ground resting,” said Sam. “I’d just like to see it remain in crop-ground.” With the help of an agricultural easement, this ground will be available for planting forever. Thank you to Sam, Susan, and the Shuey family—the donation of an easement on this important property ensures the permanent protection of agriculturally significant soils, water quality, scenic views, and native habitats!