At a joint meeting held this week in Aquinnah, the board of selectmen and conservation commission unanimously endorsed two conservation restrictions along Moshup Trail. The gift of the restrictions -- called CRs -- was held up several weeks ago as selectmen inquired into the relative benefits to be gained from them.

Selectmen had expressed concern about the spread of beach club parking lots along Moshup Trail, and raised questions about potential loss of tax revenue if the landowners sought property tax abatements after the gifts. Selectman Walter Delaney said the land in question generates about $1,700 per year in tax revenue.

Vineyard Conservation Society executive director Brendan O’Neill said, “The selectmen and conservation commission were assured that the language of the restriction caps car parking at existing numbers, and, in the case of the Smith CR, prohibits any future commercial use. Also, neither landowner is interested in a tax abatement. Their sole purpose in making these gifts is to support the conservation goal of protecting Moshup Trail.”

Mr. O’Neill said the CR gifts provide a significant boost to the Moshup Trail Conservation Project, a partnership effort involving the town, the state and conservation groups. “These CRs conserve the oceanfront on the western flank of the project area, permanently protecting the undeveloped character and scenic beauty of this remarkable place.” Since 1996, nearly 30 acres of globally rare heathland habitat have been acquired through purchase, gift and conservation restriction, he said.

The donors of the CRs are Dr. David H. Smith and South Shore Beach Inc. Board members expressed thanks to the donors for their generosity and to the Conservation Society for their continuing work on the Moshup project. The two restrictions now go to the state for signature by the new Secretary of Environmental Affairs, Bob Durand.