BRENTWOOD — The town and the Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire completed two conservation easements that will protect nearly 1,000 feet of shoreline along the Exeter River and scenic views from South Road.

A 40-acre conservation easement was conveyed to the town by Janet Powers and Rick Bruno. LeAnn Poesse and Gary Bertram conveyed a 51-acre conservation easement to the town.

The town received a $348,849 grant from the New Hampshire Water Supply Land Grant Program to assist with the purchase of the easements. Both properties lie within Exeter's source water protection area for its municipal water supply. The rest of the $946,151 funds for the easement acquisitions came from Brentwood's $2 million open space bond approved by voters in March 2003. The Powers family sold the easement well below its appraised value.

"With this conservation easement, we have insured the preservation and protection of the beauty of the forest, the wildlife, the sensational view and the peaceful Exeter River for generations to come," Janet Powers said.

Poesse said her family is pleased its land is protected.

"Looking out at the back fields and woods and walking to the river knowing that they will remain natural forever is comforting," she said.

Jonathan Ellis, chairman of the Brentwood Conservation Commission and Open Space Committee, said the two parcels complement several other protected properties on both sides of the river.

The Conservation Commission and Open Space Committee have led an initiative to protect 1,000 acres of the most valuable areas at risk to development to protect sensitive riparian corridors of the Exeter River and Dudley Brook.

As with other conservation easements, the families continue to own their land and may sell it to another party. The easement is a permanent legal agreement transferred to all future landowners. The families may conduct forestry, agriculture, and enjoy non-commercial outdoor recreation. Other commercial and industrial uses, as well as construction of residences, are prohibited.