The Donated Conservation Easement Process
- MLR staff and landowner meet to review property and complete conservation easement checklist.
- Project is presented to MLR staff for approval.
- Project is presented to MLR Board of Directors for approval.
- Letter of Board approval is sent to the landowner.
- MLR staff begins easement drafting process reflecting landowner’s expressed wishes for the property.
- First draft of conservation easement is sent to the landowner for review (independent financial and legal counsel is recommended).
- Landowner provides easement revisions to MLR staff.
- MLR staff prepares mortgage subordination, if necessary, for landowner to negotiate with the lending institution.
- MLR staff obtains a preliminary title commitment and requests a minerals title search if necessary.
- MLR staff contracts for resource documentation report as required by the Internal Revenue Code.
- MLR staff contracts, if necessary, for mineral remoteness test as required by the Internal Revenue Code.
- Landowner has property appraised by qualified conservation easement appraiser.
- Draft is sent to county planning board for review and advisory comments.
- Final easement is signed by landowner and MLR representative.
- Easement is recorded with the county.