How can counties give permanent protection to local greenspace without granting a conservation easement to another party?
Greenspace, as defined in the statute and rules, that a county or municipality has purchased with Land and Water Conservation Fund moneys or with state greenspace grant funds will count as permanently protected. Today, there is no way to include greenspace that was acquired using local, private or most federal funds except by granting a conservation easement or entering into a covenant with a federal agency. It may be necessary for the State and local governments to seek state legislation, which would allow local governments to dedicate their own lands, in a manner similar to the state’s Heritage Preserve dedication process.
