National, State and Local Funding Opportunities for Conservation Easements MALT Conservation Easement Conference for Financial, Legal and Real Estate Professionals September 29, 2017 Bozeman, MT  Gallatin Valley Land Trust

Introduction

Conservation Easement Overview Purpose of conservation easements Protect key lands Protect culture Benefits to landowners Control Remains private Compensation

Types of Funding Opportunities Public: City, County, State, Federal General requirements to receive funding Private: Individuals, Foundations

Purchased Easement Programs Land Trust Roles in Purchased Easement Programs Match landowner intent with funder interest and financial capacity Assist funding source by ensuring strategic investments Logistics Stewardship

City and County Open Space Funding City Trails Open Space and Parks Bond County Open Space Bonds

State Funding Habitat Montana – MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks www.fwp.mt.gov/fishandwildlife/habitat/wildlife/programs Montana Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Program www.sagegrouse.mt.gov

Federal Funding Federal Programs Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) www.nps.gov/subjects/lwcf North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) www.fws.gov/birds/grants/north-american-wetland-conservation-act Forest Legacy Program (FLP) www.fs.fed.us/ooperative forestry

Federal Funding Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP): www.nrcs.usda.gov Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) Agricultural Land Easement (ALE) Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP)

Gallatin Conservation Partnership Federal Funding Gallatin Conservation Partnership OBJECTIVES Soil Health Water Quality TOOLS ALE - private land conservation easements EQIP - projects to improve stewardship practices

Gallatin Conservation Partnership Federal Funding Gallatin Conservation Partnership Outcomes $3.8 Million Allocated ALE EQIP Partner Contributions New exposure

Private Funding Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust www.mtconservationtrust.org The Conservation Fund www.conservationfund.org Foundations/Individuals

Mitigation Funding Sources Montana Aquatic Resources Services (MARS) www.montanaaquaticresources.org Natural Resource Damage Program www.dojmt.gov/lands Bonneville Power Fish Mitigation www.bpa.gov/efw/FishWildlife/Mitigation

Case Studies Toohey Easement - 2015 NRCS County Open Space Bond Funds Flikkema/Kamp Easements - 2017 RCPP

Toohey Conservation Easement

Toohey Conservation Easement Match and Leverage CE Value $4,627,500 54% (of FMV) OLB Funding Request $1,083,000 $1,129/ac 23% (of CE Value) NRCS Matching Funds & Landowner Donation $3,544,500 77%

Flikkema Dairy and Kamps Conservation Easements

Conservation Easement Flikkema LF Dairy Conservation Easement

Flikkema LF Dairy Match and Leverage FMV Before CE $5,380,000 100% FMV After CE $3,380,000 63% CE Value $2,000,000 37% OLB Request $200,000 $340/ac 10% Proposed OLB Allocation $84,023 NRCS Matching Funds & Landowner Donation $1,800,000 90+%

Conservation Easement Kamps Conservation Easement

Kamps Match and Leverage FMV Before CE $4,425,000 100% FMV After CE $2,775,000 63% CE Value $1,650,000 37% OLB Request $165,000 $338/ac 10% Proposed OLB allocation $69,323 Matching Funds & Landowner Donation $1,490,000 90+%

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