Governor Ayotte and Aurora Sustainable Lands Reach Agreement on Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Forest Management

CONCORD, NH - Today, Governor Kelly Ayotte and Aurora Sustainable Lands signed an agreement regarding the management of the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Working Forest in the North Country. The agreement resolves outstanding issues related to forest management under a State-held conservation easement established in 2003 and strengthens the long-term protection and productivity of the Working Forest for timber harvesting, tourism, and recreation.

"The Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Working Forest is critical to recreation, tourism and the timber industry in our North Country, and I am pleased we have come to an agreement," said Governor Ayotte. "This deal is a big win for our North Country. We're preserving the productive use of the Working Forest, improving investments for roads and access, and protecting our timber industry and the revenue it provides for communities in the area. We will make sure Aurora lives up to terms of this deal, there will be quarterly public reporting made by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, and the State is prepared to take action, if necessary, to ensure compliance with this agreement. I thank everyone who helped make this significant deal happen so Granite Staters can continue to benefit from and enjoy this beautiful area of our state now and for years to come."

The Governor's office, along with New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Commissioner Sarah Stewart, state forestry professionals and other state officials, worked with Aurora to incorporate feedback from communities in the North Country to inform the new stewardship plan.

Following the announcement of the deal, the Coös County Commission released a joint statement of support:

"We want to thank Governor Ayotte for delivering on her campaign promise to reach an agreement that will protect the property as a Working Forest and provide access for tourism and recreation. The Commissioners have been vigilant in defending the County's interest here because the property is integral to the North Country economy and the preservation of our timber industry and way of life."

"For years, elected officials and residents in Coös County have been deeply concerned about the future of the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters and forest management impacting our timber industry," said Executive Councilor Joe Kenney. "Governor Ayotte's agreement ensures there is a path forward that keeps the Working Forest open for timber harvesting, continues the protection of a vital economic resource, and preserves recreation and tourism access to a unique part of my district. I join my fellow northern leaders to keep Aurora's "feet to the fire" with this agreement. However, I am still troubled by Aurora's 2023 purchase of 146,000 acres and commitment to honor the 2013 enrollment of the Connecticut Lakes in a 100-year carbon sequestration program without sharing this knowledge to the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Citizens Committee. I can only hope that Aurora will ditch its future involvement in the carbon sequestration program, commit to regular harvesting, and support our local youth conservation programs."

"This agreement is a win for the North Country - it protects local access to the forest for recreation and timber harvesting while making sure we preserve our State's rights as the holder of a conservation easement," said Senator Dave Rochefort of Littleton. "I thank Governor Ayotte for negotiating the deal and ensuring protection of the easement that has kept the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Working Forest a critical economic driver in the North Country for more than 20 years."

"I'm grateful to Governor Ayotte for keeping her promise to uphold the conservation easement in the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Working Forest," said State Rep. Arnie Davis of Milan. "With this agreement, we're ensuring current and future generations can enjoy the forest for recreation and tourism and protecting our timber industry, which is vital to the North Country's economy."

"When Governor Ayotte took office, we made clear to her that it is essential to keep the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters open for recreation and tourism and preserve access for timber harvesting," said State Rep. Mike Ouellet of Colebrook. "I thank the Governor for negotiating a deal that protects vital industries in the North Country and preserves the Working Forest as a destination for tourism and recreation."

The Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Forest spans 146,000 acres across the North Country towns of Pittsburg, Clarksville, and Stewartstown. Since 2003, the forest has been governed by a conservation easement between the land's owner and the State. The easement allows for conservation, timber production, and public recreation.

The agreement does not modify the 2003 conservation easement itself, but instead updates management plans to reflect current conditions, shared goals, and a forward-looking vision for the forest.

Under the agreement, Aurora will:

• Increase sustainable timber harvesting levels, raising the average annual harvest to 30,000 cords per year, strengthening support for the North Country logging and forest products industry while maintaining forest health and sustainability.
• Expand and improve maintenance and management of forest roads that support logging, recreation, tourism, and public access across the forest.
• Continue collaborating with state agencies on forest health initiatives, engaging on recreation and tourism opportunities, and cooperating with state and local law enforcement and border security efforts, consistent with the easement.

The agreement marks a significant step in ensuring that the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Forest continues to serve as a model for large-scale working forest conservation - supporting jobs, communities, recreation, and natural resources for generations to come.