I've been approached by a 'friend', (I use the term rather loosely), to assist in completing a conservation easement for a non-profit which he heads. Of course he would like me to do the work pro-bono, but I've been clear up front that isn't likely going to happen, but, I would meet with him for a beer (or three) and give him some insight on what he's in for, mostly just to help him out, but also for my own edification. I've never been involved in one of these. I understand that there are such things as 'building envelopes', but how one these are to be described and/or monumented)without doing a full blown survey is beyond me. It would seem to me that the Nature Conservancy or whichever 'bank' is behind this, would budget for a survey, but what do I know.
Anybody out there have experience with these creatures and their habits? I'd like to learn more and if I can, provide some sound guidance to this individual.
Thank you in advance and may your week be fruitful and rewarding.
~Williwaw of the great not so white north.
I've done a couple of them, I think they were for the Nature Conservancy. As I recall, the person put in most of the ground they owned but kept a small portion out for a house. It was pretty much just a standard boundary survey, nothing special. As I recall, we got paid for them also, but I think I gave them a pretty good price to do it. I don't think they really balked at paying for it either.
Was it an 'Exhibit A' type description based on the boundary survey? Was anything set to reference the 'envelope'? This a farm complex with a lot of out-buidings which would need to be included inside the 'envelope'. I'm going to assume a boundary survey and as-built of improvements would be the first step on something like this. I could see a poor description creating some future headaches for the organization, not to mention liability on my part.
Seems like the naturalist organization in our area wanted to keep a safe distance from adjoiners. I don't recall if they had a numerical definition of safe.
Also, there's a sign to set at each corner to delineate the easement to anyone who comes along. Even the corners deep in the stix no one from the road or the neighbors ground could possibly see.
Can't remember if I had to buy the signs or they were provided.
Steve
I've prepared descriptions and plats for a dozen or so conservation easements in the last 20 years. All were for local organizations, so requirements are likely different for a national organization.
For the most part, the easements were based on only enough field work to define the desired conservation area and tie it to a boundary sufficient to enable retracement if that ever became necessary. Dimensions were sometimes approximate, qualified to title lines instead of being fully resolved by survey in order to keep the cost down. None involved setting monuments or filing Records of Survey.
Sounds pretty straightforward. Thanks everyone. I'll take a look at the requirements being called for and the farm's legal. Go from there.
I've done several and agree with Jim but I can't imagine not recording a drawing... Once in the clients hands it will disappear forever.
Worked on a few involving USDA-NRCS. These required a true boundary survey. The stupid thing was that the outer boundaries of the easement could be no closer than 40 feet to a property boundary. Then we had to install signs every so many feet around the perimeter of the easement area.
The ones I did we actually did a boundary survey and set pins. The one I did most recent they put in the entire property except a few acres the kept out that had a few building on it. I didn't show any improvements but did draw up a plat.
> I can't imagine not recording a drawing... Once in the clients hands it will disappear forever.
The drawings and descriptions were recorded as part of the deeds, but no recording of the surveys per se occurred. The latter would have required comprehensive boundary surveys, which none of the parties to the transaction felt were necessary or wanted to pay for.
The level of detail and effort required varies dramatically. One may be 'Section 11 except the west 500 feet of the south 600 feet'. The next might be a 10k Record of Survey and description. It depends...
Whatever you do, don't think that they can't pay or that you should do it for free, this is a big money making industry, lots of people are getting paid and you should also.
