Conservation Easements in Alberta

General comments on drafting a conservation easement agreement

Crafting a conservation easement agreement is a negotiated process, so neither side should feel obligated to accept without question or discussion a proposal or form of agreement suggested by the other side. Clear, ongoing communication between the landowner and qualified organization, with the assistance of their professional advisors, will be key to developing an agreement that will meet both sides’ conservation goals and work for their own needs and priorities.

Seeking independent professional advice is strongly advised as the interests being conveyed will have implications for future land use as well as the sale, gifting or inheritance of property. In particular, this means that the landowner and qualified organization should have separate lawyers to avoid any conflicts of interest and receive advice specific to their needs and concerns.

Who’s involved in a conservation easement – professional advisors (legal)

There are a range of costs related to creation and maintenance of a conservation easement that should be discussed and agreed upon between the landowner and qualified organization before completing the conservation easement agreement. These can include:

• costs related to entering into the agreement, such as surveys (if required), appraisals, legal costs and Land Titles Office fees; and

• ongoing costs, such as insurance coverage, conservation management, enforcement or action to remedy non-compliance.

The parties’ arrangements on distribution of costs can be included as part of the conservation easement agreement. This will be particularly relevant for ongoing costs.

What are the financial implications of a conservation easement? Costs in granting a conservation easement

Purpose of a conservation easement

Under the Alberta Land Stewardship Act, a landowner can grant a conservation easement for one or more of the following purposes:

• protection, conservation and enhancement of the environment;

• protection, conservation and enhancement of natural scenic or esthetic values;

• protection, conservation and enhancement of agricultural land or land for agricultural purposes; and

• recreational use, open space use, environmental education, research and scientific study of natural ecosystems, so long as the use is in accordance with the conservation and protection purposes outlined above.

Clearly setting out the purpose of the conservation easement is crucial because it establishes the focus for all other aspects of the agreement, including restrictions on uses and activities, contents of the baseline report and management plan, and future interpretation of land use changes and infractions. While the purposes set out above are broad, the landowner and qualified organization must understand and agree on the conservation goals that the easement will serve. Care must be taken to be explicit about what the conservation easement is intended to conserve, and how the restrictions and management plan are intended to support those outcomes.

This will include clearly describing the conservation values that fit the qualified organization’s objectives as well as documenting the landowner’s vision and how they overlap. When drafting the wording of the purpose, it’s important to consider how it’ll be read 50-100 years in the future. A specific and “plain word” description of the purpose should be used, which means abbreviations, colloquialisms, acronyms and very technical terms if not defined should be avoided.

Rights and responsibilities of the landowner (grantor)

Conservation easement agreements can be made specific enough to list the particular conservation purpose that each restriction is intended to support, if desired. Restrictions that are simple to understand and easy to measure will reduce the risk of infractions. This will also assist those trying to solve a conflict.

Conservation easement agreements may deal with the following rights and responsibilities of the landowner (grantor):

• the right to unhindered use and enjoyment of the land to the extent that this is not limited by the terms of the agreement;

• restrictions on interfering with the ecological characteristics that are the focus of the agreement;

• a requirement to give notice to the grantee if any dispositions of rights to land are being contemplated or any damage is done to the land;

• restrictions on building or developing on land that is the target of the easement;

• restrictions on the ability to apply for subdivision;
  
  
• restrictions on depositing harmful or waste materials;

• restrictions on excavating or removing land or water;

• restrictions on soil disturbance or cultivation, if the conservation purpose is not related to agricultural land protection and conservation (with respect to agriculture in general grazing or haying may be allowed with provisions);

• a requirement to maintain insurance on the land covered by the easement;

• a requirement to indemnify the qualified organization for damages to the land arising from landowner activities;

• a requirement to take reasonable steps to stop and repair damage caused by others;

• the right to post signs and to provide access for a given purpose that does not degrade the intent of the conservation easement, such as recreational uses; and

• the right to transfer, sell or otherwise assign an interest in property, although there may be a requirement to give notice to the grantee and to the future landowner of the easement.

Rights and responsibilities of the qualified organization (grantee)

Conservation easement agreements may give the qualified organization (the grantee) the following rights and responsibilities:

• to create a management plan and administer that plan; usually the agreement will allow the grantee to amend the plan with notice and time for feedback being given to grantor;

• access to the property for the purpose of monitoring and enforcement;

• the right to erect signage;

• a right to a portion of compensation where expropriation occurs or other activities occur affecting the conservation area;

• limited liability of the qualified organization in terms of maintaining ecological nature and integrity of the property; and

• the right to enter property and perform activities for habitat or other environmental enhancement.