Using conservation easements to achieve regulatory objectives (California)

Easements have become an important tool used by public agencies and qualified non-profit organizations to protect a variety of natural resources, open space, agricultural, historic, and recreational values. This dissertation examines the use and management of easements by public agencies for achieving regulatory objectives. In particular, the stewardship practices of easement-holding organizations are examined.; A detailed, pre-tested questionnaire examining easement creation, baseline documentation, monitoring and funding practices was mailed to public agencies in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. The mail survey was followed by extensive telephonic interviews. Five statewide and local agencies were examined in depth and case studies prepared, specifically describing partnerships that have developed to meet easement stewardship needs.; Agencies reported that they required the conveyance of easements for the purpose of protecting land and/or a variety of resources when land development and conversion projects required land use approvals or project mitigation to fulfill regulatory requirements. Important differences were seen between public agencies with a conservation and/or land management mandate and those without. Those with the relevant mandate had better practices and greater awareness of stewardship needs, although virtually all agencies needed very significant improvement in practices.