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Easement Process

Interested in obtaining a conservation easement with California Rangeland Trust?
These timelines help you know what to expect.

Conservation Easement
Estimated Timeline

Do you have questions about the process of obtaining a conservation easement through California Rangeland Trust? We’re here to help! These timelines lay out what you can expect during the application and approval process for a conservation agreement. We’ve provided two detailed overviews, explaining the timeline for a donated conservation easement timeline and the timeline for a funded conservation easement.

If you have any further questions or if you would like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact our office. A member of our team will be happy to assist you.

Donated Conservation Easement

APPLICATION APPROVAL PROCESS

Month One
0
  • Landowner submits completed Project Application and $500 application fee
  • CRT Board member and/or staff makes an on-site visit to Ranch
  • Conservation Committee reviews Project Application & recommends to CRT Board
Month Two
1
Month Three to Four
2
  • CRT Board approves or rejects Application based on selection criteria

TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS, DUE DILIGENCE, APPRAISAL, & CLOSING TASKS

  • CRT executes Conservation Services and Contribution Agreement with Landowner
  • Landowner obtains Professional Advice from legal counsel and tax professionals
  • CRT orders Preliminary Title Report and reviews exceptions, mineral rights, liens, etc.
Month four
4
Month Four to Six
4
  • 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
  • CRT Board votes on final approval
  • CRT prepares closing documents
  • Conservation Easement is recorded
Month Five to Eight
5

POST RECORDING ACTIVITIES

Month Eight to Twelve
8
  • Announcement published (if Landowner agrees) and Sign installed
  • Monitoring of Conservation Easement
Annually
1

Funded Conservation Easement

APPLICATION APPROVAL PROCESS

Month One
0
  • Landowner submits completed Project Application and $500 application fee
  • CRT Board member and/or staff makes an on-site visit to Ranch
  • Conservation Committee reviews Project Application & recommends to CRT Board
Month One to Two
1
Month Three to Four
3
  • CRT Board approves or rejects Application based on selection criteria

APPLICATION APPROVAL PROCESS

This phase begins when the Project meets funding criteria and funding is available.

Month One
0
  • CRT executes Conservation Services and Contribution Agreement with Landowner
  • Landowner obtains Professional Advice from legal counsel and tax professionals
  • CRT orders Preliminary Title Report and reviews exceptions, mineral rights, liens, etc.
Month One to Two
1
Month Two to Four
2
  • CRT meets with Landowner and prepares Conservation Easement Agreement
  • Landowner obtains Letters of Support from community, business interests, public agencies, and conservation groups

FUNDING PROCESS, APPRAISAL, & FINAL DUE DILIGENCE

  • CRT submits grant application to one or more potential public and/or private funding sources
Month Five
5
Month Eight to Twenty
8
  • 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)
  • 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

  • Announcement published (if Landowner agrees) and Sign installed
Month Twenty to Twenty FOur
20
Annually
1
  • Monitoring of Conservation Easement

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California Rangeland Trust is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 31-1631453) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

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