1. National, State and Local Funding Sources for Conservation Easements Montana Association of Land Trusts Montana Conservation Easement Conference for Financial, Legal and Real Estate Professionals May 15, 2014

2. Outline Gallatin Valley Land Trust Purchased vs. Donated Conservation Easements – Trends - Montana and National – General rule on Incentives – Purchasers – Land trust role in purchasing easements Funding Opportunities – Public: Local, Regional, Federal – Private: Mitigation banks, foundations Case Studies

3. Gallatin Valley Land Trust Since 1990 - 501(c)(3) non-profit 43,000 acres conserved 70+ miles of trails Accredited Solid financial footing Professional staff 2,000+ members Serving Gallatin Valley and beyond

4. Trends in Private Land Conservation 2010 National Land Trust Survey: Acres conserved by local, state & national land trusts in US = 47M 41% increase in acres conserved from 2005 to 2010 in MT There are 13 land trusts in MT

5. General Rules on Incentives Simple/ Flexible Fully Donated & Costs Covered by Landowner Fully Purchased & No Costs Covered by Landowner Conservation Easement Terms Rigid/ Complex Weeks/ Months Time to Complete Transaction Months/ Years Few Number of Parties with Interest Many

6. Who Funds Purchased CE’s? Public – Cities/Counties – State – Federal Government Private – Foundations – Individuals

7. What Do They Have in Common? Seek to protect a natural resource value – Soil and Ag Land – Water – Wildlife – Scenic Views – Public Access Want to see their investment leveraged

8. What Role Can Land Trusts Play in Purchased Easement Programs? Match landowner intent with funder interest and financial capacity Assist the funding source by ensuring strategic investments

9. Local/Regional Public Funding Sources 2010 : 83% of land conservation ballot measures passed nationwide, providing over $2 billion for conservation County Open Lands Programs – Gallatin – Lewis & Clark – Missoula – Ravalli

10. County Open Lands Programs Gallatin County

11. Criteria: Prime agricultural land Large properties Positive social/economic impacts Wildlife habitat and movement corridors Riparian areas and wetlands Process: Proposals reviewed by Open Lands Board and County Commissioners

12. State Public Funding Sources Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks Habitat Montana Offers incentives to landowners to conserve habitat on private land State Funding Sources

13. Federal Funding Sources Overview Natural Resources Conservation Service ACEP - Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Forest Legacy US Fish & Wildlife Service North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA)

14. Federal Funding Sources ALE Program Goal: Keep productive farm and ranchland in agricultural use through conservation easements. Program Criteria: Be privately owned Meet one of three eligibility requirements Contains crop land, grassland, pasture land or forest that contributes to the economic viability of an ag operation

15. Federal Funding Sources WRE (formerly Wetland Reserve Program) Provides funds to restore wetlands while protecting them with a conservation easement.

16. Federal Funding Sources Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Created in 1965 Uses revenues from offshore oil and gas leasing and reinvests them in onshore conservation

17. Federal Funding Sources Forest Legacy Voluntary program of US Forest Service Provides grants to states for the purchase of easements and fee acquisition of environmentally-sensitive or threatened forest lands.

18. Federal Funding Sources N. American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) Goal is to protect habitat for wetlands-associated migratory birds and other wildlife.

19. Mitigation Funding Sources Montana Aquatic Resources Services (MARS) Funds projects to offset impacts to aquatic resources from development Mitigation Funding Sources

20. Montana Aquatic Resources Services (MARS) Bonneville Power Fish Mitigation Mitigation Funding Sources

21. Photo: Yellowstone Ranch Preserve Case Studies

22. Flikkema Ranch Conservation Easement 636 acre mix of prime ag land & wildlife habitat Family-farmed for over 100 years Easements completed in 2013

24. Conservation Values 59% important soils Important wildlife habitat Headwaters of Camp Creek Scenic ridgeline – Norris Road 12 conservation easements within 7 miles

25. Easement Terms No divisions One existing primitive cabin allowed One new residence allowed Agricultural operations and recreation allowed

26. Funding Bargain Sale Easement partial purchase partial donation

27. Madison River Ranch Conservation Easement 200 acres of important bird & wildlife habitat with Madison River frontage Protects views of Missouri Headwaters region

28. Landscape Position - Near Three Forks & Headwaters State Park - National Audubon Important Bird Area - I-90 View shed - Madison River Protection - Headwaters Trail System - Near other public/conserved land Three Forks

29. Conservation Values National & State Priority Bird Conservation Area 32% prime soils on ag land Abundant wildlife Cultural area of state and national significance Madison River/Missouri Headwaters protection

30. Easement Terms No divisions of property One existing residence allowed One new guest/caretaker residence allowed Continued agricultural operations allowed

31. Bargain Sale Easement partial purchase partial donation Funding

32. Oyler Conservation Easement 590 acres of agricultural land, wildlife habitat and riparian corridor Protects West Gallatin River

33. Three Forks

34. Conservation Values Gallatin River protection National & State Priority Bird Conservation Area Public access on portion of property Abundant wildlife Scenic views from Dry Creek Road Long-time ranching family

35. Easement Terms One division allowed Continued agricultural operations allowed No residences on easement property

36. Funding Bargain Sale Easement partial purchase partial donation Funding

37. Thank you and questions www.gvlt.org