Posted: September 19, 2025 | Industry News
The Town of Mills River has officially launched its Land Preservation Program, a new initiative designed to protect farmland, open spaces, and environmentally sensitive areas from development pressures. This community-driven program is the result of years of planning and collaboration and reflects Mills River’s long-term commitment to preserving its rural character while managing future growth.
In 2021, Mills River adopted the Making Mills River 2040 Comprehensive Land Use Plan after two years of public input, meetings, and committee review. Residents identified three top goals for the future of their community:
The land use capacity assessment conducted as part of the comprehensive plan revealed that nearly 6,000 acres—a mix of vacant and active farmland—make up almost half of the town’s land area. At the same time, population projections show that Mills River could grow by 2,500 residents and 1,250 new jobs by 2045. Without proactive measures, much of this farmland and open space could be lost to development.
To address this, the Mills River Town Council formally established the Land Preservation Program in December 2023, allocating $500,000 in federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds as seed money. After delays caused by Hurricane Helene, the program officially launched in summer 2025.
The Land Preservation Program is built around voluntary participation. Property owners who want to preserve their land can apply for financial assistance through the town. Mills River will partner with nonprofit conservation organizations and willing landowners to establish conservation easements—a tool that permanently protects land from development while keeping it in private ownership.
The Town provides gap funding to cover costs associated with creating a conservation easement, such as:
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis each year, with an October 31 deadline aligning with the town’s annual budget process. Mills River staff will review applications for completeness before the town’s Land Preservation Committee evaluates them and makes funding recommendations to the Town Council.
Once approved, nonprofit partners will guide property owners through the easement process and handle long-term monitoring and maintenance. Importantly, the Town of Mills River itself will not hold conservation easements—it simply acts as a funding partner to make preservation more accessible.
The program’s highest priority is to protect large tracts of active farmland, especially those located along major roads and at the highest risk of conversion to development. Properties near public drinking water and wastewater infrastructure are also considered high-priority due to development pressure.
Other types of land eligible for consideration include:
Even land not currently used for farming may qualify if it has significant conservation value.
By launching the Land Preservation Program, Mills River is taking an important step to balance growth with stewardship. As the region continues to attract new residents and businesses, programs like this ensure that agricultural lands, forests, and natural areas remain part of the community for generations to come.
For landowners, this program provides both financial support and a path to safeguard their property’s legacy. For the community, it represents a long-term investment in maintaining the qualities that make Mills River unique: open space, rural character, and a deep respect for natural resources.
For more information, including application forms and program guidelines, visit the Town of Mills River’s official website or contact the Land Preservation Committee.