February 12, 2013
We found a need for more oversight to ensure that conservation easements achieve their intended results. Among other things, we recommend the Legislature: (1) require state review and approval of conservation easements acquired with $500,000 or more of state money by private nonprofit organizations; (2) require easement holders to more closely monitor easements to ensure compliance with the easement agreements; and (3) require private nonprofit organizations that use state money to purchase conservation easements to be accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.