How do our local easements differ from town-owned parcels acquired through LCIP?
The difference lies in the fact that an easement deed provides specific guidelines for what is allowed and what is not allowed on the property. The land remains privately owned and managed, but the community holds an interest in the property. Regular monitoring of the properties, usually by the conservation commission, can help keep problems from arising. LCIP fee-owned parcels are fully owned and managed by the community. Their charge is to manage the land in a manner consistent with the reasons behind why the land was protected in the first place, and in a manner that will not compromise the conservation values of the property. The specific day-to-day management decisions are left up to the municipality. However, if management practices begin to compromise the conservation values of the property, LCIP may step in to help insure that the municipality understands their responsibilities. The CLS checks on these lands periodically. CLS staff conduct a “field visit” to each of the current
