What is a Rural Land Conservation Easement?
An easement is an interest in land owned by another that entitles its holder to a specific limited use. Conservation easements are one of America’s most commonly applied rural land preservation strategies. A landowner donates or sells easements that entitle a government agency, land trust, or other conservation organization to limit or prohibit development of the land in question. The land is still owned by the individual, but she or he cannot develop the property beyond the established limits, regardless of its zoning. Easements can be made in perpetuity, meaning that the easement is maintained even when the land is sold, so that subsequent owners abide by the development restrictions established by the holder. Who can implement it? Authorized under the Montana Open Space Land and Voluntary Conservation Easement Act (Title 76 Chapter 6 Part 2 MCA), landowners can voluntarily restrict development on a given parcel of their land through a negotiated agreement with a land trust, a conser
