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Accessing Grants for Land Protection

Accessing Grants for Land Protection. MA Open Space Conference 2019 - Session 1, in Track 3 – Funding your Projects. MA Open Space Conference 2019. Session schedule. Introduction (Lee Halasz – TerraCorps /Kestrel Land Trust) Land conservation cost types

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Accessing Grants for Land Protection

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  1. Accessing Grants for Land Protection MA Open Space Conference 2019 - Session 1, in Track 3 – Funding your Projects MA Open Space Conference 2019

  2. Session schedule • Introduction (Lee Halasz – TerraCorps/Kestrel Land Trust) • Land conservation cost types • Overview of some funding opportunities (with Melissa Cryan – MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs) • Dave Ziomek (Town of Amherst) • Sarah LaValley (City of Northampton and Town of Bernardston) • Panel discussion/Question & Answer session • But first, who is in the room?

  3. Land conservation cost types • Land in fee/Conservation Restriction (CR) purchase. • Land survey. • Due diligence (appraisals, title work, environmental assessments, other legal costs). • Baseline Documentation Report (BDR)/Land Management Plan. • Stewardship fund and Defense fee. • Project management fee.

  4. Sources of Funds • Municipal • State • Federal • Private • Most sources have a competitive application process. • Many State sources require a current Open Space and Recreation Plan. • Many sources require matching funds.

  5. Municipal ‘Grant’ Community Preservation Act (CPA) • Municipality must vote to adopt CPA. • There must be a CR placed on any land purchased with CPA funds. • Requires a Community Preservation Plan. • The Community Preservation Coalition (CPC) supports municipalities.

  6. State Grants APR – Agricultural Preservation Restriction (Program) • MDAR – MA Department of Agriculture • At least five acres of land in agricultural production for the past two years, with suitable soils. • 20% local match required, but each of the following reduce the required local match by 5%: (1) having an Agricultural Commission, (2) being a Right to Farm Community, and (3) having a Development Application System which ensures that the APR status of a parcel is highlighted.

  7. State Grants EEA –MA Executive Office of Energy &Environmental Affairs CLTC – Conservation Land Tax Credit • A tax credit of 50% of the donated value of fee land or a CR, up to a maximum of $75,000 (50% of $150,000). • Land with a variety of natural values can qualify. • Usually a CR must be placed on the land. • The program has a limited amount of annual funding, and there is currently a waiting period.

  8. State Grants MVP – Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program • New, with much potential. • To increase municipal resilience to climate change. Division of Conservation Services (DCS) Land Conservation Grant Opportunities • Melissa Cryan will present, with a handout

  9. Federal ‘Grants’ Charitable gift – a donation to a 501(c)(3) organization, deductible through filing federal income taxes. Federal Conservation Tax Deduction • For donations of CRs, not donations of land in fee. • Up to 50% (100% for farmers) of annual income can be deducted, and the balance can be carried forward for 15 years.

  10. Federal Grants USFS Community Forests Grant • Requires fee acquisition of land (not the purchase of CRs), and provides 50% reimbursement up to a total of $350,000 (50% of $700,000). • Public access is required. • Municipalities, tribal governments and non-profits can be land owners. • Land must be actively managed with a community forest plan.

  11. Federal Grants US Forest Service Forest Legacy Program • $7M maximum, must be 2000 acres to be competitive. • Managed forests that provide a variety of benefits. RCPP – Regional Conservation Partnership Program • Through NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) within US Department of Agriculture (USDA). • Different RCPPs have different features and requirements. Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) • To restore land that has been farmed back to its original wetland state. • USDA pays 100% of the permanent easement cost and 100% of restoration costs.

  12. Private ‘Grants’ • Private foundations. • Donors/community fundraising. • Kestrel hosts the Monica and Bob Leverett Forever-Wild Conservation Fund.

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