Who owns the conservation easement?
To qualify for a tax deduction the easement must be donated to the government or a qualifying conservation or historic preservation organization. The Little Traverse Conservancy qualifies as a federally recognized public charity under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(C)(3). In addition, the Conservancy is qualified to receive conservation easements under Michigan’s Conservation and Historic Preservation Easement Act, PA 197 of 1980. Who owns and manages easement protected land? The landowner retains full rights to control and manage their property within the limits of the easement. The landowner continues to bear all costs and liabilities related to ownership and maintenance of the property. The Conservancy monitors the property to ensure compliance with the easement’s terms, but it has no other management responsibilities and exercises no direct control over other activities on the land. Does the easement have to cover all of the landowner’s property? No, some easements only cover a
