Estimating the Costs of Preparing an Easement

In order to be able to continue our work, we ask that the landowner reimburse the Trust for its costs in preparing an easement.

These costs will be estimated in the proposal prepared for the landowner at the outset of the project, and will cover the materials and staff time required to complete the easement. In addition, easement donors will have their own legal, appraisal, and in some cases, surveying costs to consider. Surveying needs vary widely and depend upon the nature of the Conservation Plan in which the landowner is interested.

BACTrust provides its services on a voluntary basis and expects no payment, however, donations to our endowment fund are always needed and greatly appreciated.  We suggest, but do not require, a one time contribution toward our endowment fund in order to assure that the Trust is able to meet its obligations to uphold the terms of all of our easements in perpetuity.  The amount of the endowment can be based on the size of the property, the complexity of the easement, and the amount of staff time which will be required on an annual basis to administer and monitor the easement. A certain amount of each endowment contribution is designated for legal fees should the need ever arise for the Trust to meet its obligation to defend the terms of the easement.

Note: The easement endowment contribution and most of the costs of preparing the easement may be deductible for income tax purposes.