Water District Obtains Dudzik Property, A "Conservation Unicorn"

The following article is being shared with the permission of the Swains Lake Village Water District.  The owner of the land this article is about lived on Shady Lane, and passed away after a battle with ALS.  The large parcel borders Shady Lane, France Road and Hall Road, as well as land that the Swains Lake Water District currently owns. When purchased, it will be owned by the Water District, with covenants to protect it should the Water District cease to exist.

This 72 acre parcel of land, is full of vernal pools which are home to species of frogs, turtles, peepers and more.  It feeds the headwaters of the Oyster River, Lamprey River and Bellamy River.  Both the Water District and Town of Barrington are thrilled that this important piece of land will be preserved so these rivers can begin with clean water.

   Although Southeast Lane Trust of NH, (SELT), helped the Water District with the paperwork regarding the purchase of this land, there will be no walking trails there.  This land has no road frontage, so there can be no parking areas for access, although it will be open to hunters and others wishing to traverse the land in a respectful manner, if homeowners bordering it allow their passage through.

Enjoy the article:    

What do you call a 72-acre property protects three sources of drinking water? A conservation unicon.

Such is the Dudzik property in Barrington, a parcel on its way to permanent protection by the end of March. The land safeguards source waters used by the Swains Lake Village Water District, Portsmouth Water System, and the UNH/Durham Water System. That is, as the saying goes, supreme bang for the buck.

Ken Dudzik. (Courtesy Photo)

The project stems from the Dudzik family, who are following the wishes of deceased landowner Ken Dudzik, who wanted to see his land remain undeveloped. In recognition of Ken, the property will be named the "Kenneth R. Dudzik Memorial Preserve." For this project, SELT is serving in an "assist" role, providing the administrative and project management support to help facilitate the deal's completion.

Ken was a lover of the outdoors and enjoyed nature both in his personal and professional pursuits. As a forester and lifelong environmentalist, he would spend hours walking his property and kept meticulous journals tracking wildlife activity (like egg masses numbers and frog populations in the property's many vernal pools). He spent most of his work life – over 40 years – for the US Forest Service Research Station in Durham. Sadly, Ken passed away from ALS, leaving his land to a trust in the hands of his siblings, along with his desire to see it protected.

Water protection is key at the Dudzik property. (SELT Staff)

This proved to be a most welcome decision for the nearby communities that rely on the drinking water. "The areas this land benefits are Swains Lake Village Water District wellheads, the Oyster River headwaters and the Bellamy Reservoir watershed all fall within this Dudzik property."

"We are just super excited because we always wanted to protect the areas you can't get back, said Fred Dudzik, Chair of the Swains Lake Village Water District Commission. "Getting this property is a large piece of protection for us."

The Swains Lake Village Water District will own the land, and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) will hold conservation restrictions to ensure the land is protected and available for water supply use. The Dudzik land is generous, selling the land at less than fair market value to the District, which is leveraging grants from the NHDES PFAS Response Water Protection Program, NHDES Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund program, the Town of Barrington Conservation Commission's Conservation Fund, and Fields Pond Foundation to acquire it.

"It is rare to find a property this size that has so much importance for drinking water protection," said Duane Hyde, SELT and Conservation Director. "The Dudzik family is ensuring this valuable drinking water resource will remain undeveloped. SELT is thrilled to help facilitate this project on behalf of the residents of New Hampshire residents who rely on clean drinking water safeguarded by this land."