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Farmland preservation board opens enrollment; presenter outlines easement process and state reimbursement
Summary
Keith Yerrick of the farmland preservation board told commissioners that applications are being accepted through April 15 and explained that accepted easements sell development rights in perpetuity; he said the state generally pays about 75'80% of survey and recording costs while the county covers the remainder.
Keith Yerrick, representing the farmland preservation board, told the Board of Commissioners on March 26 that open enrollment is under way and applications are due April 15.
"The preservation is if accepted and the property owner then, agrees to the offer submitted, you're basically selling off your development rights for perpetuity," Yerrick said, explaining that an easement is attached to the deed and continues if the property changes hands. He listed required application materials including the owner's name, deed, location, township, total acreage, parcel information, a GIS map and any existing conservation plan.
Yerrick described the county's role in initial costs and said, "the state puts up approximately 75, 80% of it, and the county is responsible for the products from the other 20%." Commissioner Hardy added that the county invests in the program (he noted a $30,000 county contribution) and asked about succession: Yerrick confirmed that the easement remains in force when a property is sold or transferred.
Yerrick outlined the review process: applicants are ranked under a rating system, the board makes offers in writing, and landowners may accept or decline. He encouraged interested owners to contact the conservation office for application forms and additional information.
The presentation closed with an invitation to reach out to the farmland preservation board directly for questions and with a reminder that this is the first open enrollment in about three years.
