Appendix 8H.

Wood River Land Trust Landowner Questionnaire / Initial Meeting Outline

A guideline for Land Trust staff outlining items to consider and conservation options when initially discussing a potential land protection project with a landowner Landowner Name: ___________________ Property Name: _____________________ Property Acreage: ___________________ Date: _____________________________ WRLT Staff Conducting Inquiry: ______________________________
A.

Landowner Goals (check all that apply in each question) _____ place to live _____ place to visit _____ financial asset _____ pass on to children _____ preserve natural landscape and setting _____ other: _____________________

(1) Which values are important to you about your property?

(2) How are you likely to use your property in the next 20 years? _____ leave as is _____ build house(s) _____ sell (3) Why are you considering a conservation easement or management agreement? _____ desire to keep land open _____ tax deduction _____ estate planning _____ protect special features or wildlife _____ avoid family conflicts about future _____ other _____ give to children _____ other: _____________________

(4) Which actions are consistent with your goals for the property? _____ create opportunities to enhance existing wildlife, scenic and/or agricultural resources as one of the primary uses of the property;

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_____ create strong conservation restrictions so that the existing wildlife, scenic and/or agricultural resources are maintained and not diminished; _____ protect existing resources but allow room for some development for children or other; _____ create restrictions to generally protect resources and get tax deduction; (5) Are you uncertain about how you would like to use your property in the future (yes/no)? Property Description and Conservation Values (1) What is the acreage of your property? How many legal parcels does it consist of and what is the size of each parcel? (2) What qualities of the property are you most interested in protecting? (3) Which special features of the property are important to you to protect? _____ homesteading and family history _____ wildlife observations and resources _____ forestry or agricultural use _____ geological _____ water features _____ agricultural

_____ other: _________________________________________ (4) Are there any benefits of adjoining lands that are especially important to you (i.e. protected open space, scenic vistas, special land feature, etc.)? (5) Are there any uses, or plans for, adjacent lands that especially concern you (i.e. subdivision, condominium development, heavy commercial use, fences blocking wildlife migration, etc.)?
B.

Property Ownership and Land Division (Mostly yes/no responses)

(1) Is the property owned jointly with other family members ____? (2) Are there non-family partners _____?

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(3) How many years have you or your family owned the property? (4) Has the owner of record changed during that time period (i.e. from a couple to an individual, partnership or trust)?
(5)

Do you contemplate changing ownership or selling in the future? _____ If yes, why and in what way?

(6) Is your property divided (i.e. multiple lots, subdivision, etc.)? _____ If so, please briefly describe. (7) Do you contemplate dividing your property? _____ (8) Is your property encumbered with any of the following? _____ covenants _____ deed restrictions _____ mortgage _____ road easements
(9)

_____ utility easements _____ easements of sight or record _____ current use _____ other

Is the property that you are interested in protecting part of a larger adjacent property holding or do you own other potentially protected properties?

Current and Future Use of Property (1) Do you now, or plan in the future, to use your property for any of the following? _____ agriculture _____ home-occupancy business _____ commercial or industrial use _____ long-term leasing

(2) Do you now, or plan in the future, to manipulate your property in the following ways? _____ wetland enhancement/ pond creation _____ fish/wildlife habitat enhancement _____ watercourse channeling _____ topographical grading _____ road building _____ trail building _____ tree or vegetation clearing _____ mining or graveling _____ creating landing pad or airstrip _____ till for cultivation

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(3) Do you now, or plan in the future to, use your property for any of the following recreational activities? _____ walking _____ skiing _____ snowmachining _____ fishing _____ commercial recreation Buildings (1) Briefly list he number and approximate size of existing buildings: Primary residences: Guest houses: Non-residential buildings (i.e. detached garages and barns): Ancillary structures (i.e. tennis courts, swimming pools, outdoor gazebos, barbecues facilities, etc.): (2) Please briefly describe your future building plans, if any: _____ horseback riding _____ photography _____ large group tours _____ hunting

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Conservation Tools and Options Conservation Easement: legal agreement between landowner and an eligible organization that restricts activities on a property to protect its conservation values a. Standard terms: i. Best management practices ii. Public access options iii. Reserved rights: agriculture, buildings; and approval process b. Grantee responsibilities: Complete easement, steward property c. Grantor responsibilities: Remain communicative, provide information d. Tax benefits: federal, state, and local tax deductions (2) Management Agreement: legal agreement between landowner and an eligible organization that guides management activities to protect conservation values a. Standard terms: i. Management practices described, including irrigation, fencing, noxious weed control, grazing ii. Permitted uses: agriculture, buildings b. Grantee responsibilities: Complete management plan, steward property c. Grantor responsibilities: Remain communicative, provide information d. Tax benefits: County wildlife habitat exemptions (3) Gift or Donation of Property: Offers greatest protection of property a. Advantages vs. private ownership: Beneficial if highly sensitive resources, intense management or restoration is required, or public access b. Long term planning: WRLT will accept if feasible, will notify donor if management plans change drastically or intent to sell c. Variations: Life estate, or lease property once owned by the Land Trust Other Non-Profits or Groups to Consider: a. The Nature Conservancy b. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation c. Ducks Unlimited
(1)

(4)

Project Process (1) Project proposal (2) Site inspection and information gathering discuss time frame (3) Land survey and title information requested (4) Easement drafting and negotiations (building envelope, reserved rights) (5) Appraisal, subordination agreement (if applicable) (6) Closing and recording (7) Costs to Landowner a. Attorney, surveyor, title information, appraiser b. Easement and baseline preparation costs c. Stewardship endowment contribution

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