The damage resulted from an informal agreement Sheriff?EUR??,,????'???s Meadow had long maintained with several Island landscapers, including Oakleaf Landscape that management work would be done by them in return for the right to take and sell some plants. But in these cases the foundation claims Oakleaf took advantage of the arrangement.

The two foundation properties, the Caroline Tuthill Preserve in Edgartown and the Priscilla Hancock Meadow in Chilmark, were left damaged by heavy earth moving equipment and mature trees were taken.

Both properties are listed as priority habitat, a state designation requiring the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) review any alteration of habitat areas.

In neither case was prior permission and approval received, and the NHESP was concerned that the work could have resulted in a ?EUR??,,????'??take?EUR??,,????'?? of up to four species of special concern.

Ultimately, it was not determined that an actual taking had occurred. Nonetheless, the foundation is required under an agreement just reached with the State of Massachusetts to restore a total of about 48 acres. $27,000 is also to be set aside for preserve management.

After the damage was revealed, Sheriff?EUR??,,????'???s Meadow publicly apologized for its failures of stewardship and oversight.

On the basis of assessments with ?EUR??,,????'???EUR??,,????'???at least half a dozen people in the business?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??, newly appointed foundation Executive Director Adam Moore said Oakleaf owed Sheriff?EUR??,,????'???s Meadow about $25,000 of work.