Easement Process

– Estimated Timeline –

• Donated Conservation Easement

  Funded Conservation Easement

• Application Approval Process

  Application Approval Process

• Month 1

  • Landowner submits completed Project Application and $500 Application Fee
  • CRT Board member and/or staff makes an on-site visit to Ranch

  Month 1

  • Landowner submits completed Project Application and $500 Application Fee
  • CRT Board member and/or staff makes an on-site visit to Ranch

• Month 2

  • Conservation Committee reviews Project Application & recommends to CRT Board

  Month 2

  • Conservation Committee reviews Project Application & recommends to CRT Board

• Months 3 to 4

  • CRT Board approves or rejects Application based on selection criteria

  Months 3 to 4

  • CRT Board approves or rejects Application based on selection criteria

• Transaction Agreements, Due Diligence, Appraisal, & Closing Tasks

  Transaction Agreements, Preliminary Due Diligence

  (begins when Project meets funding criteria and funding is available)

• Month 4

  • CRT executes Conservation Services and Contribution Agreement with Landowner/ Landowner submits $1,500 Processing Fee (credited towards project costs)
  • Landowner obtains Professional Advice from legal counsel and tax professionals
  • CRT orders Preliminary Title Report and reviews exceptions, mineral rights, liens, etc.

  Month 1

  • CRT executes Conservation Services and Contribution Agreement with Landowner
  • Landowner obtains Professional Advice from legal counsel and tax professionals

   

• Months 4-6

  • CRT meets with Landowner and prepares Conservation Easement Agreement
  • CRT orders Appraisal to determine easement value (Appraisal is completed after close)
  • Consultants prepare Baseline Conditions & Phase I Environmental Assessment Reports

  Months 1-2

  • CRT orders Preliminary Title Report and reviews exceptions, mineral rights, liens, etc.

   

• Months 5-8

  • CRT Board votes on final approval
  • CRT prepares closing documents
  • Conservation Easement is recorded

  Months 2-4

  • CRT meets with Landowner and prepares Conservation Easement Agreement
  • Landowner obtains Letters of Support from community, business interests, public agencies, and conservation groups

• Post Recording Activities

  Funding Process, Appraisal, & Final Due Diligence

• Months 8-12

  • Announcement published (if Landowner agrees) and Sign installed

  Month 5

  • CRT submits grant application to one or more potential public and/or private funding sources

• Annually

  • Monitoring of Conservation Easement

  Months 8-20

  • CRT obtains funding commitment from funding sources
  • CRT orders Appraisal to determine easement value (Landowner pays for appraisal)
  • CRT & Landowner execute CRT Option Agreement (after appraisal is completed)
  • Funding Agencies review appraisal and Board authorizes funding (usually meet quarterly)
  • Consultants prepare Baseline Conditions & Phase I Environmental Assessment Reports
  • CRT Board votes on final approval
  • CRT prepares funding and closing documents
  • Conservation Easement is recorded
• Post Recording Activities

• Months 20-24

  • Announcement published (if Landowner agrees) and Sign installed
• Annually

  • Monitoring of Conservation Easement