How restrictive is an easement?
A conservation agreement, or easement, restricts development and other uses of the property to the degree that is necessary to protect the significant conservation values of that particular property. Future residential or commercial construction, including roadways, may be prohibited entirely or limited to specific sites where the impact will not impair the environmental, scenic or historical quality of the property. Other restrictions or limitations in the use of the land may be applied, such as limiting the land to forestry or to agriculture, prohibiting filling, excavating or removal of topsoil and gravel, all depending upon the agreements reached by the Land Trust and the landowner. Certain uses of the land may be specifically allowed, such as educational and scientific activities, hunting, fishing, hiking or skiing in specified areas, or construction of buildings that conform to the purposes of the agreement. Provisions for the preservation or restoration and protection of structu
