Valley Land Conservancy

“Brown (2000) an amendment to update multi-owner provisions and parcel-by-parcel irrigation water allocation following an allowable subdivision executed by the Grantors estate prior to the property being offered for sale.Collins, L. (2006) a boundary adjustment (Notice of Lot Line Adjustment) with a neighboring property owner, whereby a small portion of encumbered ground was transferred to the neighbor and a slightly larger portion of unencumbered ground was transferred to Collins. The CE prohibited subdivision but did allow for boundary line adjustment that did not create new building lots. No encumbered land was extinguished from the CE, so the CE boundary was unaffected.”

“Each easement is monitored annually by a visit on the ground or by aerial method. Prior to the visit there will be at least one written, email or phone communication to the landowner describing the monitoring visit. The Trust will inform the landowner of the purpose of the visit and will invite the landowner to be present on the visit. Before visiting the property the baseline documentation, previous monitoring reports and other background information will be reviewed. Notes and pictures will be taken documenting changes to the land, whether through natural means or through the activity of the landowner.A monitoring form will be completed to ensure consistency and thoroughness of each visit. The report will include information on the property, the conservation easement and the state of the property at the time of the monitoring visit outlining any changes or potential violations. Photos, maps and exhibits may also be included in the report as needed. The Trust will retain the form in its permanent files and a copy of the report with a letter acknowledging its completion will be send to the landowner.If any violations are found, The Trust will follow its Easement Violations policy.”

“Conservation easements are tools used to permanently restrict development on property in order to protect scenic, open space, agricultural, and wildlife habitat values. The acquisitions of these easments by the trust promotes these conservation values but does not provide any economic value to the trust. Therefore, donated easements are not recorded as assets of the trust. Purchased easements, if any, are expensesd in the year purchased.”

“The board has designated a portion of the easement acquisition project fees to support the perpetual stewardship and legal defense of easements.”