Does a conservation easement require public access?
Property owners who grant conservation easements may decide to allow the public to access their property. In general, conservation easements granted for the purposes of protecting environmental systems or habitats generally do not require public access.5 Nonetheless, property owners may convey certain public access rights, such as allowing hiking, fishing or hunting in specific locations. However, certain types of conservation easements do require public access if an income tax deduction is to be claimed.
