County approves multiple conservation easement funding requests, seeks $2M state match

Buncombe County commissioners on Sept. 15 approved a slate of conservation easement transaction‑cost requests and supported a county match to renew a state Agricultural Growth Zone grant. Staff described multiple projects in the Newfound community and an expansion of the Camp Sequoia easement.

Ariel (county land conservation staff) told the board the agricultural advisory board recommended transaction funding for Reimer Davis Dairy tract ($662,400), Reimer Davis forest tract ($60,600), Reimer Davis home tract ($53,000) and Ruby Brown Farm ($59,800); those sums are for appraisal, surveys, and other due‑diligence costs. Ariel said the county plans to request a $2,000,000 state match through the Agricultural Growth Zone program and asked the board to allocate a $2,000,000 match from open‑space bond funds.

Michelle of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy presented the Camp Sequoia expansion (approx. 80 acres added to an existing 37‑acre easement). She said the county's share of acquisition was negotiated at roughly $288,000 with an estimated easement valuation of about $576,000 and transaction costs in the range of $95,000; the county asked to fund $288,000 plus $63,500 of transaction costs. Commissioners praised landowners and partner conservancies for leveraging county funds to preserve farmland, water quality and viewsheds.

The board voted to approve the funding requests and to proceed with the state grant match application. Staff said the timing and sequence of easement closings often span multiple years and bond allocations will be issued when closings occur.

What happens next: staff will continue appraisals and due diligence, complete grant paperwork for the Agricultural Growth Zone renewal, and return with closing‑level funding requests as appraisals and matching funds are finalized.