What is an Easement?

  • An easement with the Thomas Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation District (TJSWCD) is a legal agreement between the District and a landowner to permanently preserve and protect the land in an undeveloped state.

  • Easements are tailored to reflect the conservation values of the property and the goals of the landowner. The terms of an easement are negotiable.

  • Easements allow you to permanently protect all or a portion of your land without giving up ownership. The land is yours to live on and enjoy, to sell, or to pass on to heirs.

  • Easements do not grant the public access to your land.

  • Easements might include an entire parcel or farm.  Others might be only 200 feet wide, extending just 100 feet from the center of the stream.

 

The Thomas Jefferson SWCD holds "open-space easements" by virtue of the "Open-Space Lands Act". To open a PDF file and read  the enabling legislation, click here.