Conservation Easement Program (WAC farm and forest easements)

WAC purchases permanent agricultural and forest conservation easements from landowners in the West-of-Hudson NYC watershed, paying appraised development-rights value. Farm track: 50+ acres with an active Whole Farm Plan; forest track: 100+ acres, 70% forest cover, with a Forest Management Plan. Rolling applications; Easement Committee approval at each of six acquisition phases.

Farm easement: property at least 50 acres, active Whole Farm Plan approved by WAC's Agricultural Committee, surface water resources, in the West of Hudson NYC Watershed, not in a hamlet designation area. Forest easement: at least 100 acres, at least 70% forest cover, Forest Management Plan (may be tied to 480-a or EQIP), surface water, West of Hudson, not in a hamlet area.

Permanent easement; landowner has six months to accept the Offer; WAC pays appraisal and design costs; monitoring/stewardship after closing.

Published amounts: The Offer (purchase price) is the difference between the land’s value with the easement and its value without the easement – “Paid for Development Rights.” WAC pays for the appraisal.

Download the WAC CE Application Form (PDF) or call CE Program staff at (607) 865-7790; phases: Applicant Selection, Land Planning, Appraisal, Offer, Contract for Purchase and Sale, Closing.

Deadline text on the page: Application submission, review and approval of qualified applicants is rolling, based on available program funding, program capacity, and program production needs.