An easement on land containing wildlife habitat might prohibit development while an easement on a working farm may allow farming and the building of additional agricultural structures. When you donate or sell an easement to the Methow Conservancy, the Conservancy takes on the responsibility and legal right to monitor and enforce the easement. The easement is recorded on the title to the land, so all future owners are bound by the terms of the easement. If a future owner or someone else violates the easement, the Methow Conservancy will work to have the violation corrected. The Conservancy promises to maintain the characteristics you sought to protect, no matter how often the land changes ownership.
Easements can provide estate, income and property tax deductions.
There can be many tax savings to landowners who elect to place easements on their property. If a conservation easement meeting federal tax code requirements is donated, the value of the easement can be treated as a charitable gift and deducted from income tax. For these purposes, the value of the easement is the difference between the land s value with the easement and the land s value without the easement. If you own land and would like to see it protected, the Methow Conservancy can tailor a preservation plan to meet your needs. We have several publications that discuss easements and conservation techniques.