An easement gives one party the right to go onto another party's property. That property may be owned by a private person, a business entity, or a group of owners. Utilities often get easements that allow them to run pipes or phone lines beneath private property. Easements may be obtained for access to another property, called "access and egress", use of spring water, entry to make repairs on a fence or slide area, drive cattle across and other uses. The easement is a real property interest, but separate from the legal title of the owner of the underlying land.
The Idaho Deed of Conservation Easement is a legal document that establishes a voluntary agreement between a landowner and a government agency or land trust. This agreement aims to conserve and protect the natural, scenic, historic, and cultural resources found on the land. Conservation easements are an effective tool for landowners who wish to permanently protect their property's important natural features while retaining private ownership. By placing a conservation easement on their property, landowners can restrict certain activities that could harm the land's conservation values, such as development or excessive logging. Idaho recognizes various types of conservation easements, each serving different purposes and providing different levels of protection. Some types of Idaho Deed of Conservation Easements include: 1. Agricultural Conservation Easements: These easements are designed to protect working agricultural lands and the associated resources. They ensure that the property remains agriculturally viable while preventing fragmentation or development that could compromise its agricultural productivity. 2. Riparian Conservation Easements: These easements are focused on protecting and conserving riparian areas, which are ecologically crucial zones adjacent to rivers, streams, or other water bodies. They help maintain water quality, preserve wildlife habitats, and prevent erosion or sedimentation. 3. Wildlife Habitat Conservation Easements: These easements focus on safeguarding critical habitats and migration corridors for various wildlife species. Landowners agree to manage their property in ways that promote the preservation and enhancement of wildlife habitats, ensuring the long-term viability of native species. 4. Scenic Conservation Easements: These easements protect areas with scenic, aesthetic, or recreational value. They may encompass view sheds, diverse landscapes, or significant landmarks, ensuring that the land's unique characteristics are preserved for future generations to enjoy. 5. Historic Conservation Easements: These easements aim to preserve and protect historical, cultural, and archaeological resources found on the property, including buildings, structures, or landscapes of historical importance. Landowners agree to maintain the property's historical integrity while allowing public access for educational or recreational purposes. An Idaho Deed of Conservation Easement is an essential legal instrument that provides long-term protection for Idaho's diverse landscapes, wildlife habitats, agricultural lands, and cultural heritage. It helps balance land use with conservation by allowing landowners to maintain ownership while ensuring the preservation of essential ecological, historical, and scenic features.
