Jan 08, 2008 — The agreement last year that will preserve 161,000 acres of Finch Pruyn Paper company land is so large that it's reshaping the debate over conservation and economic development in the Adirondacks. The Adirondack Nature Conservancy engineered the $110 million purchase. Over the next four months, the green group will produce a management plan for the huge tract, which spreads over six counties and dozens of towns. The conservancy hopes to quickly sell much of the land and conservation easements to the state, at a price tag that could top $50 million. Other parcels will be sold for private development or to timber management companies. Brian Mann spoke at length about the project with the Adirondack Nature Conservancy's executive director, Mike Carr. Carr says there won't be a public process for the Finch, Pruyn project--no public hearings or formal comment period. But the Nature Conservancy is reaching out to as many local residents and officials as possible before next spring.