Many of you have joined the well over 1,000 annual visitors who have explored Sterling Falls Gorge and learned the historic significance of what has been considered by the State of Vermont to be one of the Northeast's most historic, multiple cascade and waterfall areas confirmed by Author and former Vermont State Naturalist Charles Johnson who kindly drafter our Interpretive Trail signs. Since our State approved 501(C)3 Natural Area Trust formation on August 18, 1988, which led our family to donate the 8.3 acre Sterling Gorge land to the Trust, the State and Town of Stowe have always excluded Sterling Falls Gorge from property taxation. Over the course of the past quarter century not one single person has ever been charged for their visit to the Gorge.

Surprisingly, last fall Stearns Allen, State of Vermont District Advisor of Property Valuation and Review, called our Stowe Town Appraiser, Tim Morrissey, stating that Sterling Falls Gorge "may not qualify for exemption because it is mainly used for recreational purposes." I was very surprised to hear this and assumed that the State might have confused Sterling Falls Gorge with the 50 acre Conservation land our family owns containing portions of the Catamount Trail, the VAST Trail, Papa's Trail and three Town of Sterling historic sites. We have always paid taxes on this 50 acre parcel which currently amount to approximately $2,068 annually. The Gorge is certainly not "mainly used for recreation". Perhaps on the hottest day of the year a few visitors might take a dip in the cool water pool at the bottom of the waterfall. Also,several Emergency Rescue Teams and Vermont colleges have done some ice climbing training at the Gorge but I do not believe this qualifies to be "mainly recreational use".

Please attend Town Meeting Day on Tuesday to support our request for Stowe Voters to maintain the Sterling Falls Gorge current property tax exemption.

Best wishes,
Gar Anderson, President
Sterling Falls Gorge Natural Area Trust

Feb 9, 2025, 4 to 5:45 PM

Feb 10, 2025, 9 to 10 AM

Feb 11, 2025, 7 to 9 PM