What is a conservation easement?
It is a voluntary action on the part of landowners to protect the health and quality of a natural area on their property. A conservation easement is one way for a property owner to ensure that certain values of the property will be protected in perpetuity regardless of who may own the property subsequently. There can also be tax advantages to the landowner for establishing a conservation easement.
An easement may prohibit clear-cutting or specify what percentage of timber can be removed from a property. It may allow certain kinds of activities (a pedestrian trail) but prohibit others (a trail for motorized vehicles). The easement can be used to protect wetlands, wildlife, and riparian (streamside) areas.
VtF Easement Review for Compliance
Public agencies, Indian tribes, nonprofit corporations, and land trusts can “hold” conservation easements. View the Future as a nonprofit holder is responsible for monitoring specific easements, making sure that violations do not occur. It is a serious commitment, but one which supports the mission of VtF to protect the health and beauty of Yachats’ natural surroundings for the future.
A yearly walk through of each property is held with the landowner to monitor changes, document improvements, additions or removal of structures or timber and ensure continuing compliance with easement restrictions. The review also includes a maintenance plan for the next year.
If a conservation easement is of interest to you, VtF is available to offer advice and research on the process.
(Photos by VtF board member Shelly Shrock)
