Preservation Agreement
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| Open Space |
FOX RUN TRAIL |
| Benefits of Preservation |
| Criteria for Easement Acquisition |
Program Comparisons |
| TAX BENEFITS |
| How You Can Help |
Harding property in Hunterstown
Kauffman field in Franklin County
Donovan farm
Berg woodlands
Kimple forest
bridge over Marsh Creek
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preservation agreement
A preservation agreement (conservation easement) is a permanent legal agreement that limits certain uses on all or a portion of a property, while keeping the property in the landowner’s possession.
The conservation easement is recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Adams County, Pennsylvania, to insure permanency of the easement.
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Eased properties are monitored annually to ensure that they adhere to the terms of the easement.
open space
Without controls, development may ruin the environment - from hayfields to creek corridors. While the Land Conservancy understands that growth supports a healthy county economy, we also know that planned land preservation attracts the new residents and businesses needed to sustain our economy.
FOX RUN TRAIL
Click HERE to read about our very own hiking trail.
benefits of preservation
Benefits to You
- Lands that are important to you are permanently preserved.
- Public access is not required.
- You still own the property and have the right to sell it or pass it on to heirs.
- The easement is tailored to protect your property’s conservation value and to meet your preservation goals for future generation.
- Substantial federal income tax deductions may result from the donation of an easement. Click HERE for an example.
- A conservation easement may fit into your estate tax plans and may minimize or eliminate federal estate taxes.
- Annual monitoring of easements ensures that your preservation wishes are met in perpetuity.
Benefits to the community
- Open space preserves our watersheds and groundwater supplies.
- Our natural resources, such as woodlands and wetlands, are protected wisely.
- Agricultural land can continue to produce our food and fiber.
Criteria for easement acquisition
- Most easements are donated by the property owner, but in special circumstances funds may be provided to the landowner (called a bargain price easement).
- The waiting period for an easement is normally 60-90 days.
- There are no requirements for land to be considered for an easement donation, although generally more than ten acres is desirable.
- Easements can be designed with great flexibility, permitting limited land subdivision and building lot sizes.
- Donated easements may be eligible for federal income tax deductions or a charitable deduction based on IRS standards. Currently, donated easements are not eligible for state income tax deductions.
program comparisons
Click HERE to see the comparisons between Adams County's Agricultural Land Preservation Program and the Land Conservancy's program.
tax Benefits
Substantial federal income tax deductions may result from the donation of an easement.
A conservation easement may fit into your estate tax plans and may minimize or eliminate federal estate taxes.
Property heirs would realize a lower estate tax, since the land is taxed at its restricted value instead of the fair market value.
Property tax rates are unaffected by easements. Clean and Green is the only program that can reduce property taxes for eligible privately-owned lands.
how you can help
- Become a member of the Land Conservancy.
- Preserve your land. If you own land that is farmed, lies along a waterway, has forest cover or other natural resources, or has other characteristics that are worthy of preservation, contact the Land Conservancy at 334-2828 to learn about the benefits of donating a conservation easement.
- Encourage others to preserve land.
- Make financial, tax deductible, contributions. You can donate cash, contribute to the Land Conservation Fund, make a bequest of a charitable trust in your estate planning, or designate the Land Conservancy as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy.
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