Open Letter to Squam Rock Land Trust Shareholders

Report to the Shareholders:

At the Annual Meeting of the Trust on June 29, 2021, there was a spirited discussion of the management plan under which the Trustees have been operating the Pasture property for the last ten or so years. According to the 1935 Declaration of Trust (as amended), the purposes for which the Trust was initially established were (i) to preserve Lighthouse Beach as a desirable place for bathing and recreation for residents of Annisquam, and (ii) to prevent undesirable development of the upland area (i.e., the pasture and woodlands).

A group of some 75 shareholders requested that the three Trustees appoint a committee to “research and develop an updated management plan with the objective of conserving the land as an ecologically diverse, sustainable and resilient natural space." While the Trustees strive to be sensitive to these issues, and to balance them with the recreational uses of the property, the sentiment at the meeting was that we would benefit from additional and updated professional input, especially in dealing with current concerns such as climate change, regulatory compliance, waterfront maintenance and strengthening our native vegetation. The Trustees were asked to report back to the shareholders within sixty days on their progress.

As many of you know, the Trustees have established such a committee, which consists of Steve Langer, Lisbeth Bornhofft, Paul Horovitz and Peg Ris. Having met and communicated regularly over the summer, the committee has identified a number of qualified consultant candidates, and prepared a Request for Proposals (RFP), which they intend to send to interested candidates. The contact process will be starting in the next several days. The RFP seeks expert input and advice on matters such as encouraging responsible and sensitive use and enjoyment of the pasture and beach for Annisquam residents, balanced with management of the property in an environmentally responsible manner and, where applicable, consistent with applicable regulations. The goal is to complete this work and develop an updated management plan prepared over the winter of 2021-2022.

The committee (through the Trustees) will prepare periodic updates to this report as the work proceeds – these updates will be posted on the Squam Rock Land Trust page of the Annisquam Village Hall website 

https://annisquamvillage.org/squam-rock-land-trust

Trustees:
Bill Colby Susan Harris Steve Langer

P.S. – If you would like to receive future communication by e-mail, please send your e-mail address to

squamrock@comcast.net

August 30, 2021