SAHC’s Jess Laggis briefs Buncombe County on conservation easements, funding and long due-diligence process

Jess Laggis, who leads farmland-protection work at the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, told Buncombe County meeting participants that conservation easements are voluntary, recorded deed restrictions that permanently limit subdivision and development rights while leaving ownership with the landowner.

"A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement. It goes on record at the county register of deeds," Laggis said, explaining that easements are typically perpetual for her nonprofit and that easements can preserve habitat, water quality and working farmland.

Laggis walked the group through how easement value is calculated: appraisers establish a "before" (fee-simple) and "after" value, and the easement value is the difference. She summarized common funding mixes and what landowners can expect: federal NRCS agricultural easement programs…