NATURAL LANDS . FALL / WINTER 2020 9 involves an outright contribution , every project lives or dies by whether or not we can find enough grant money to cover some or all the costs . And , when we ’ re talking about land in sought-after areas , this means sourcing hundreds-of-thousands of dollars .”
The funds are used to cover not only the value of the conservation easement , but also other costs including : the appraisal , the title report and insurance , legal fees to have an attorney prepare the easement document , a survey of the property , a Phase I Environmental Hazard Assessment , Natural Lands staff costs and expenses , and an endowment to support future costs of monitoring and enforcing the easement in perpetuity . These costs generally run between $ 30,000 and $ 50,000 , depending on the size of the property and the complexity of the project .
a forever document . As each conservation easement is a legal contract , there ’ s quite a bit of paperwork involved in crafting one . What ’ s more , Natural Lands follows strict accreditation standards established by the Land Trust Alliance , an organization working to advance conservation at the national level .
“ Yes , it ’ s a lot of work ,” says Peter Williamson . “ We cross every “ t ” and dot every “ i ” to assure that every easement we create will withstand the test of time .”
After Natural Lands ’ Board of Trustees formally accepts the easement , the project manager creates a baseline document that describes the property ’ s features and outlines the conservation objectives . This establishes current conditions and is used in annual monitoring of the easement . The baseline report includes a detailed plant inventory ; wildlife observed ; maps documenting topography , landscape features , and soil conditions ; both aerial and on-site photography ; and a list of buildings and other improvements . The information in the baseline also helps support the landowner ’ s basis for a charitable contribution for the easement ( if one is being taken ), and provides justification for any public open space funding that has been awarded for the easement .
The easement document contains a conservation plan , decided on in consultation with the landowner , that determines any subdivision allowances and delineates areas subject to different levels of protection . The Highest Protection Area ( HPA ) preserves the most ecologically significant portions of the property , such as wetlands , mature forest , and headwater streams . The Standard Protection Area ( SPA ) permits uses like farming and timbering . The Minimal Protection Area ( MPA ) is generally drawn around buildings or other structures .
Once all the documentation is prepared , approved by all parties , and signed at settlement , the conservation highest protection area 2
N 20 ° 58 ' 05 " E 485.30 ' 397.21 ' 88.09 '
S 77 ° 32 ' 43 " E 1099.91 '
S 58 ° 08 ' 06 " E 159.23 '
S 07 ° 30 ' 00 " W 60.18 '
highest protection area 1
200.75 '
BARN
LOG CABIN 1
S 50 ° 57 ' 57 " E 127.47 '
N 73 ° 09 ' 48 " W 399.13 '
125.00 ' 629.11 ' 345.80 '
140.57 '
Springhouse 1 Springhouse 2
Great Great Oak sw
SHED 1
S 19 ° 32 ' 00 " E 140.13 ' sw
POND
LOG CABIN 2
N 47 ° 03 ' 39 " E 62.56 '
PUBLIC ROAD S . R . 4043 known as " SAINT PETERS ROAD " minimal protection area
sw
HOUSE
81.51 ' N 84 ° 04 ' 18 " E
SHED 2
POOL PAVILION
EXISTING DRIVEWAY
N 88 ° 02 ' 56 " W 321.39 '
S 50 ° 09 ' 35 " W 83.63 '
77.10 ' S 53 ° 44 ' 21 " E
97.02 ' S 27 ° 22 ' 23 " W
100.11 ' N 53 ° 44 ' 21 " W
95.59 ' N 27 ° 22 ' 23 " E
113.65 ' 45.91 ' 161.83 '
N 55 ° 20 ' 05 " E 122.52 '
N 59 ° 02 ' 10 " E 280.27 '
S 37 ° 44 ' 49 " W 136.34 '
GREAT OAK FARM CONSERVATION PLAN All easements include a conservation plan , like this one for Great Oak Farm , that delineates areas subject to different levels of protection .
standard protection area
N 88 ° 06 ' 54 " W 371.80 '
S 07 ° 25 ' 23 " W 194.97 '
Megan Boatright