The Montana Land Reliance

“Of the total 1015 conservation easements held by mlr at the end of 2024, eight (8) easements were modified (0.7%). The eight modifications consisted of four amendments to enhance conservation, one partial release in lieu of condemnation, one amendment to exercise a reserved right, and two corrections to deeds of conservation easement filed to correct mapping errors. All of the amendments and corrections secured the landowner's ratification of the terms and conditions of the conservation values and purposes of the original easements. As an accredited land trust, mlr follows a rigorous conservation easement amendment policy to ensure perpetual protection of the conservation values in accordance with national standards and practices as recommended by the land trust alliance. Amendments mcguane ranch amendment (#032): this easement was originally recorded on october 15, 1990, as document #118147, records of sweet grass county, montana. To further conserve and protect the natural habitat and scenic and open space values of this 1,551 acre property, the landowner and grantee amended the easement to consolidate development on the property, permanently reduce the number of residential and other structures permitted on the premises, eliminate the right to build any new structures on the property, establish two residential building envelopes, and eliminate the right to transfer title to the premises in multiple parcels. The ratification and amendment of deed of conservation easement was recorded on october 11, 2024, as document no. 166185, records of sweet grass county. Switchback ranch iii (#807): the consolidated and restated deed of conservation easement on this approximately 16,723 acre property was recorded on december 27, 2016, as document no. 368607 in carbon county, montana, and as document no. 367457 in stillwater county, montana. To further conserve and protect the natural habitat and scenic open space values of the property, the landowner and grantee amended the easement to include a prohibition on sod busting, which prohibits harmful soil disturbance and limits the effects of wind and water erosion. The amendment and ratification of restated deed of conservation easement was recorded on november 14, 2024, as document no. 401744, records of carbon county, and on november 18, 2024, as document no. 394436, records of stillwater county. Switchback ranch iv (#808): the original deed of conservation easement on this property was recorded on december 24, 2014, as document no. 360128 in carbon county, montana, and as document no. 360611 in stillwater county, montana. To further conserve and protect the natural habitat and scenic open space values of the property, the landowner and grantee amended the easement to include a prohibition on sod busting, which prohibits harmful soil disturbance and limits the effects of wind and water erosion. The amendment and ratification of restated deed of conservation easement was recorded on november 14, 2024, as document no. 401745, records of carbon county, and on november 18, 2024, as document no. 394437, records of stillwater county. Switchback ranch v (#958): the original deed of conservation easement on this property was recorded on december 15, 2022, as document no. 394372 in carbon county, montana, and as document no. 388685 in stillwater county, montana. To further conserve and protect the natural habitat and scenic open space values of the property, the landowner and grantee amended the easement to include a prohibition on sod busting, which prohibits harmful soil disturbance and limits the effects of wind and water erosion. The amendment and ratification of restated deed of conservation easement was recorded on november 14, 2024, as document no. 401746, records of carbon county, and on november 18, 2024, as document no. 394438, records of stillwater county. Woodgerd (#036): the original deed of conservation easement on this property was recorded on february 28, 1991, as document no. 3426”

“The montana land reliance (mlr) has a monitoring policy. The mlr stewardship staff monitors each and every property on which mlr holds a conservation easement. This monitoring includes a visit to the subject property and discussions with the landowners/managers. The stewardship staff also works with existing easement holders to supply natural resource information and contacts for the landowner to improve their land holdings for conservation purposes. Stewardship staff also works with legal counsel in regard to potential issues that arise regarding interpretation or enforcement of conservation easements held by mlr. Mlr is in the process of digitizing all of the easement project files for the easements that have been completed and are of record - scanning of this documentation will enhance staff's ability to work efficiently with easement holders across the state.”

“Conservation easements are recorded by mlr as in-kind donations with a value of $1 each. By a resolution of the board of directors, mlr values all conservation easements held at a nominal amount of $1 due to the fact that said easements cannot be sold, transferred, or borrowed against. Expenses incurred in "bargain" purchases of easements and other in-house expenses related to completion of conservation easements are expensed out in the year of the purchase and/or donation. The following is the text of the footnote used in mlr's annual audited financial statements: "mlr has acquired conservation easements from various contributors. Conservation easements represent rights to restrict use of certain properties. By accepting the easement contribution, mlr commits to protecting the easement restrictions in perpetuity. The easements have no market value in the hands of mlr. Mlr can assign the easements only to another qualified conservation organization. Accordingly, they are represented in the financial statements at a nominal value of one dollar per easement. Purchased easements are expensed."”

“The montana land reliance foundation, inc., was established to hold assets in support of the montana land reliance (mlr) as a related 509(a)(3) support organization. One of the funds that is currently held by and overseen by the foundation is the conservation fund, which has two subfunds, the "general conservation fund and the "legacy fund." the conservation fund is an endowment fund. General conservation fund: the general conservation fund provides a source of revenue to mlr for outreach to landowners for land conservation projects, and research, public outreach, and education on private land conservation. The present value of any contributions to the fund is not expended as required by montana administrative rule 42.15.507(6) and any successor provision. The corpus may not be used. Any grant request to the foundation from mlr must be authorized by the foundation's board of directors. Legacy fund: the legacy fund provides a steady source of revenue to mlr for bridge capital for property acquisitions, for option purchases for all or a portion of a threatened property to be resold to a conservation buyer, or for conservation easement purchases. The corpus of the fund may not be used. Any grant requests to the foundation from mlr must be authorized by the foundation's board of directors.”