CONCORD, N.H. – House Speaker Gene Chandler told lawmakers Tuesday New Hampshire should be ready to buy thousands of acres of northern forest if a deal to protect the land through private ownership falls through.

“We can’t afford to take a chance this property falls into the wrong hands,” Chandler told the House Resources, Recreation and Development Committee.

Chandler is the prime sponsor of legislation appropriating $12 million to buy almost 146,400 acres in Pittsburg, Clarksville and Stewartstown.

The land is part of a 171,326-acre tract sold to conservation groups by International Paper Co. Preserving the land will save forestry jobs and protect the environmentally sensitive headwaters of the Connecticut River, supporters say.

The state bought 25,000 acres of the tract in December for a natural area open to hunting, fishing, hiking and snowmobiling. Camping and all-terrain vehicles will not be allowed in the natural area.

Lyme Timber Co. is negotiating to buy all but 100 acres of the remaining 146,326 acres from the Trust for Public Land. The state would own easement rights preventing development and ensuring public access for recreation.

The other 100 acres will be transferred to the state for an addition to the Deer Mountain Campground to be operated by the state’s parks division.

Negotiations over easements have been going slowly, which prompted Chandler to file legislation so the state will be ready to buy the property if the deal with Lyme Timber falls through.

A key unresolved issue is how much the state and timber company will pay to maintain roads, since both the public and the company would be using them.

Under a plan worked out last year, Lyme Timber would buy the property for $12 million and harvest the timber on it, but the state would hold an easement blocking development and ensuring public access for recreation.

Chandler said he filed the bill when negotiations took longer than expected. “It looks now like things are going very well,” he said.

Chandler and others testified that the deal is expected to close in March. If Lyme Timber doesn’t buy the land, another company may take its place, Chandler said. Nevertheless, he urged lawmakers to back his bill as a fallback.

“The state can’t take a chance of not being ready to step in if necessary,” Chandler said, adding a few moments later: “I can’t stress enough how important this purchase is.”

Republican Reps. Eric Stohl of Columbia and Fred King of Colebrook, two bill sponsors, said their constituents are very concerned that the easement reflect the agreements hammered out by a special committee last year.

“Public access is key to this deal,” said King.