Then, the county will begin negotiations with the owners of the highest scoring properties. The goals of the negotiation process are to arrive at the best possible deal for the county s citizens and to maximize the return for the owner. Both goals can be met through various combinations of matching grants, deferred payments, and tax deductions. As part of the process, an independent appraiser paid for by the program will appraise the land. When an agreement is reached, a deed conveying the easement will be recorded with the Clerk of the Court.
Payment is made as in any other real estate transaction.
The easement will be co-held by Loudoun County in partnership with another entity eligible to hold easements. Such entities include the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, the Virginia Board of Historic Resources, the Land Trust of Virginia, Inc., and the Jamestown Compact. After the easement has been conveyed, the owner is free to continue to use the land as before, sell it, or exercise any of the other rights of ownership with the exception of development.