Senator Gregg Attends Announcement of Official Closing, Celebration to Protect Hurd Farm

Press Release

SENATOR GREGG ATTENDS ANNOUNCEMENT OF OFFICIAL CLOSING, CELEBRATION TO PROTECT HURD FARM

U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) today joined members of the Trust for Public Land, officials of the Hampton Board of Selectmen and members of the Hurd Family to announce the official closing and protection of the Hurd Farm. The 155-acre property, run by the family since 1926, will continue to be privately owned, but will operate under an agricultural preservation agreement that will ensure the most important lands are never developed. The agreement also includes a water quality and recreational preservation agreement to protect the water resources and to provide for permanent public recreation access. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Gregg was able to secure $500,000 in federal Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection funding for the Hurd Farm conservation project. Senator Gregg is the author of the CELP program.

Senator Gregg stated, "The Hurd Family has made a tremendous commitment to protecting our state's unique character. The federal and state money we are discussing today are obviously important. However, projects of this importance require the active support of local citizens and groups, and fortunately, the Hurd Family understands why we must all work together to protect New Hampshire's natural resources. This project is another example of how we are meeting this goal. I also want to thank the people in Hampton and Hampton Falls, and of course the Trust for Public Land. Everyone involved in the preservation of the farm has demonstrated an impressive commitment to environmental protection as well as to preserving a part of our state's agricultural and cultural heritage."

Whitney Hatch, Regional Director of the Trust for Public Land's New England Regional Office, stated, "We greatly appreciate Senator Gregg's hard work and leadership in securing funding through the CELP and for his support of the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program grant to help protect Hurd Farm. Conservation of the Hurd Farm is a win-win outcome for everyone in the community. It will allow the family to continue farming in a sustainable way, protect the water quality of the Taylor River, and ensure permanent public recreational access. TPL applauds Senator Gregg's long-standing commitment to coastal conservation in New Hampshire, and for his efforts to secure the federal funding to protect yet another critical coastal resource in a rapidly developing area."

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