Guadalupe Blanco River Trust

“Guadalupe-blanco river trust stewardship and monitoring policy policy statement when the guadalupe-blanco river trust accepts the donation of a property, water right or a conservation easement, the trust also becomes responsible, in perpetuity, to ensure the terms of the conservation easement are being followed. Trust staff will conduct an annual site visit that documents the condition of the property. Annual monitoring of properties allows the trust to build a historical database of the property and maintain contact with the landowner. This historical data can be used in the defense of the property if suspected violations occur. If any questions or violations are suspected, the trust will contact the landowner and advise them of the suspected violations and allow the landowner time to remedy such violations. Should there be a violation that the landowner does not willingly correct, legal action may become necessary. Cost a stewardship monitoring fund donation is requested from landowners wanting a conservation easement for their property. This fund is necessary to ensure adequate funds are always available for monitoring and enforcement. The board of trustees has combined the endowments for all conservation easements into the stewardship monitoring fund. The trust's stewardship monitoring fund (fund) is invested according to investment strategies approved by the board. If enforcement becomes necessary, income from the fund may be used for legal or other enforcement expenses. Contributions to the stewardship monitoring fund are used for monitoring and enforcement of property, water rights or conservation easements. Fee lands permitted activities on fee lands activities permitted on fee lands must be compatible with the trust's conservation goals, stewardship principles, and mission to benefit the public. Permitted activities occur only when the activity poses no significant threat to important conservation values, reduces threats or restores ecological processes, and/or advances learning and demonstration opportunities. Monitoring fee lands the trust will mark the boundaries of its properties and regularly monitor them for potential management problems (such as trespass, misuse or overuse, vandalism or safety hazards) and will take action to rectify such problems. Administration of fee lands the trust will perform administrative duties associated with fee lands in a timely responsible manner. This includes establishing policies and procedures, keeping essential records, paying insurance and taxes, and/or securing appropriate tax exemptions, budgeting, and maintaining files for fee lands. Water rights permitted water right uses uses of water rights must be compatible with the trust's conservation goals, stewardship principles, and mission of the trust. Permitted uses should pose no significant threat to important conservation values or adversely impact ecological features. Monitoring water rights as required, the trust will work with the south texas watermaster to protect water rights purchased or donated to the trust. Administration of water rights the trust will perform administrative duties associated with water rights in a timely responsible manner. This includes establishing policies and procedures, keeping essential records, filing forms, paying insurance, paying any taxes, and/or securing appropriate tax exemptions, budgeting, and maintaining files for water rights. Easements annual monitoring landowners are contacted to schedule the annual site visit at a time that is convenient for the landowner. Landowners are encouraged to participate but are not required to do so. Once the site visit is complete, the landowner is provided a copy of the assessment to keep and is asked to return a signed copy of the assessment for the trust's file as a part of the properties historical records. The trust shall administer a dedicated fund to cover the costs of its stewardship responsibilities for properties and water rights that are pu”

“Conservation easements are not reflected on the balance sheet as the property to which the easement applies is not owned by the trust. Any stewardship funds collected at the time the easement is attained are reported as revenue on the revenue and expense statement.”