BUFFER EASEMENT PROJECT
November 2005
The River Raisin is a wonderful natural resource that is getting lots of attention for its many unique characteristics. The Raisin Valley Land Trust (RVLT) hopes to raise awareness of the importance of the river and to provide information about how we can care for it.
Concept: The RVLT seeks to protect the rural and agricultural lands along the River Raisin in Washtenaw County by obtaining donated conservation easements and referring landowners to other conservation programs. The easements would preserve ribbons of land (buffers) along the river, which would protect water quality by reducing runoff of soil and chemicals from lawns and farms into the river. These buffers could be of varying width depending on many factors, and would provide corridors for the movement of wildlife along the river between larger natural areas. A grant from the Stubnitz Foundation will provide the funds for expenses normally incurred by the landowner or the RVLT to establish the conservation easements.
Location: Our initial efforts are focused on the River Raisin in Washtenaw County - Manchester, Sharon and Bridgewater Townships. We are also interested in working with landowners in Jackson and Lenawee Counties.
Conservation Easements: Conservation easements are legal agreements reached voluntarily between two parties: a landowner (grantor) and a land conservancy or government agency (grantee). Easements protect a property's conservation values — natural features, agricultural potential, scenic views, wildlife habitat, water quality — while keeping the land in private ownership. The easement defines use of the land for all current and future landowners.
Tax Advantages: Donation of a conservation easement to a qualified organization like the RVLT can have several tax advantages. First, the grantor may claim the value of those property rights granted, as determined by a qualified real estate appraiser, as a federal income tax deduction. The deduction may be spread over six tax years and is subject to income limitations. Most grantors are eligible for a substantial tax savings. Second, if valuable land is part of an estate, the grant of a conservation easement may reduce the estate's value and the payment of estate tax may be reduced or avoided. Third, if the property on which a conservation easement has been granted is still being assessed for its development potential, the landowner has standing to request a reduction in the property tax assessment from the local tax assessor, which, if granted, would result in reduced property taxes.
How do I learn more? RVLT Board members and consultants are available to meet with landowners interested in knowing more about conservation easements and how they can apply to one's property. We will be glad to answer any questions you may have. Our primary goal is to provide information - any continuing discussion is entirely up to you.
Please contact us by telephone (517-265-5599, option 2), email (info@rvlt.org) or by mail to 1042 Sutton Road Suite 3, Adrian, MI 49221.
River Raisin Partners
There are several programs, in addition to the RVLT’s buffer project, to help landowners manage their natural areas in ways that benefit the river, its watershed, and the many valuable species of plant and animal life that inhabit it. The Raisin Valley Land Trust encourages you to contact us or any of the groups listed below for more information on how you can help preserve the Raisin. The RVLT would be glad to provide a summary of these other programs to help you sort through your options.
The Nature Conservancy
101 E. Grand River
Lansing, MI 48906
517-316-0300
www.nature.org/michigan
Michigan Stewardship Network
224 Charles Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
734-769-6981
lbrush@umich.edu
www.snre.umich.edu/stewardshipnetwork
Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation
2230 Platt Road, PO Box 8645
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Phone: 734-971-6337
parks@ewashtenaw.org
http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government
River Raisin Watershed Council
1042 Sutton Road, Suite 3
Adrian, MI 49221
517-265-5599 (ext 1)
river.raisin@lenawee.mi.us
www.riverraisin.org
Washtenaw County Conservation District
7203 Jackson Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI
48103-9506
734-761-6721 (ext 5)
www.washtenawcd.org
Lenawee County Conservation District
1100 Sutton Road
Adrian, MI 49221
517-263-7400 (ext 3)
http://www.lenaweeconservationdistrict.org
Department of Natural Resources
Landowner Incentive Program
517-641-4903
kennedyd@michigan.gov
Raisin Valley Land Trust
1042 Sutton Road, Suite 3
Adrian, MI 49221
517-265-5599 (ext. 2)
info@rvlt.org
www.rvlt.org