Conservation Easement Authority

Members

  • Dee Hockman, Chair
    Term Expires: December 31, 2024
  • Doug French, Vice Chair
    Term Expires: December 31, 2024
  • Debbie Keller, Planning Commission Representative
    Term Expires December 31, 2024
  • Marla Mooney, Member
    Term Expires December 31, 2027
  • Josh Stephens, Board Of Supervisors Representative
    Term Expires December 31, 2024
  • Kelly Watkinson, Member
    Term Expires December 31, 2026
  • Vacant, Member
  • Lemuel Hancock, Director of Community Development

Overview

Conservation Easement Authority LogoShenandoah County established a conservation easement program to allow landowners to permanently protect their family farms, forests, and other rural lands through the donation or sale of a conservation easement. The Conservation Easement Authority (CEA) was established to carry out this easement program.

  1. What is an Easement?
  2. Ok, so what is a Conservation Easement?
  3. Got it. So what is the benefit of having a Conservation Easement?
  4. If I were to donate or sell the Conservation Easement, does that mean I would not own the land anymore?
  5. I heard that if I put my land in a Conservation Easement that I would have to ask before I did anything. Is this true?
  6. How long is the commitment?
  7. Ok, I’m interested. How do I start?
View All FAQs

Donation Of Development Rights Documents

  1. Application Deadlines (PDF)
  2. Conservation Determination Sheet (PDF)
  3. Conservation Easement Scoring Sheet (PDF)
  4. Donation of Development Rights Application (PDF)

Purchase of Development Rights Documents

  1. Letter of Interest (Due May 24th, 2023 for the FY24 review) (PDF)
  2. Purchase of Development Rights Application (Complete if selected) (PDF)

Support