service & outreach: land use planning & growth management:
tools for quality growth
conservation easements
A conservation easement is a legally binding agreement between a property owner and a governmental body or a land trust that restricts the type and amount of development and use that may take place on the property.
Conservation easements can be an effective complement to government acquisition programs and the regulation of uses to protect environmentally sensitive land. In 1992 the Georgia legislature passed the Uniform Conservation Easement Act, which authorizes and promotes the use of conservation easements in Georgia.
Papers
Conservation Easements for Natural Resource Protection, 1st edition, 1994, Laurie Fowler. Overview of conservation easements, their purpose, function, and benefits (both ecological and financial). Includes a sample easement and list of resources.
Protecting Farmland in Developing Communities: A Case Study of the Tax Implications of Conservation Easements, 2001, Nanette Nelson, Laurie Fowler, and Jeff Dorfman. Exploration of tax consequences of different farmland protection strategies including conservation easements and the Georgia Conservation Use Program.
Research
A Primer on Conservation Easements and Greenspace for the Property Tax Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue, 2002, Nanette Nelson, Laurie Fowler. (PDF) (Note: appendices available upon request. Contact Nanette Nelson at nanette@arches.uga.edu)
The Economic Costs of Development for Local Governments, 2002, Jeffrey H. Dorfman, Dawn L. Black, David H. Newman, Coleman W. Dangerfield, Jr., Warren A. Flick. Cost of Community Services studies for Appling, Cherokee, Dooly and Jones counties. These counties were chosen to reflect the variety of growth conditions present in Georgia's 159 counties. (external site)
Cost of Community Service Studies for Habersham and Oconee Counties, Georgia 2000, Nanette Nelson, Jeff Dorfman. (external site)
Questions on Potential Landowner Liability for Recreational Use in Georgia, 1996, Ronnie Abellera, updated 2007, John Seay.
Resources and References
Georgia Uniform Conservation Easement Act (external site)
Georgia Land Trust Service Center / Georgia Environmental Policy Institute (external site)
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