We need our voices heard
Bernheim Continues to Protect Land and Conservation Easements
Throughout 2019, Bernheim and our thousands of supporters voiced opposition to two threats to Bernheim’s Cedar Grove Wildlife Corridor and conservation easements - a highway connector study and a proposed natural gas pipeline.
In October 2019, then Governor Matt Bevin announced that any route for a highway connector between I-65 and I-71 would not be considered if it affected Bernheim land. This decision seems to be holding, and was reinforced by current Governor, Andy Beshear in January 2020, when he announced that no additional funds will be provided in the two or six year transportation budget for the connector study. Additionally, they announced that only local improvements to existing roads would be supported. The final report for this study will be released in March 2020, so we continue to monitor the project. This appears to be a wonderful victory for Bernheim, conservation easements, and tax payers. This success is due to the thousands of letters, phone calls and “Save Bernheim” yard signs that demonstrated overwhelming public support to protect Bernheim and conservation easements.
Thank you.
We need your help to continue advocating for the protection of Bernheim and conservation easements:
However, even in the first weeks of 2020, Bernheim and several other landowners have been defending ourselves in court, writing briefs and spending valuable time and money in our continued effort to stop an LG&E proposal for a new natural gas pipeline across Bullitt County, and across Bernheim’s Cedar Grove Wildlife Corridor.
Bernheim is legally obligated to protect the conservation easements on its land. These easements held by the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s Finance Cabinet, and managed through the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund (KHLCF) prohibit natural gas pipelines and other non-conservation uses. Bernheim is protecting this land for future generations, to ensure they have clean water and air, as well as amazing biodiversity from endangered bats, to bobcats, orchids and scientifically, little-known snails. If LG&E, a subsidiary of PPL Energy Utilities is able to break our conservation easement and cut a 50’ wide, 3/4 mile long construction and maintenance corridor through Bernheim, as part of the 12-mile slice across Bullitt County, conservation lands throughout the state and beyond are weakened.
Our stance is that LG&E has options that will not destroy more lands that are natural, break conservation easements, or disrupt peaceful communities. Communities deserve, and are demanding a voice in their own futures, and many are striving to mitigate the global climate crisis, which is negatively affecting everyone!
Your voices are critical to our success and to rapidly shaping a healthy and sustainable future. As we continue to advocate legal protections in court, your voices help reinforce the need for conservation and natural lands for the future.
Please visit www.forestunderthreat.com to continue to send letters and emails and voice your support using #standtallwithbernheim on social media. We also have a new video that helps to explain why this fight is bigger than Bernheim, because it threatens conservation lands across the state and beyond. Learn more about conservation easements here, and feel free to share!
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Our mailing address is:
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
PO Box 130
Clermont, KY 40110-0130
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/400549857455783/