Conservation Easement Modifications
The original 1983 legislation that created conservation easements, Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) Article 49, Title 3 (leaves DEC website), was a long sought effort by conservationists and environmental groups to bring this important conservation tool to use in partnership with willing private land owners across New York State.
A majority of the conservation easements held by the Department (DEC) contain clauses that allow the easement to be modified with concurrence of DEC and the private landowner. Regulation 6 NYCRR Part 592 (leaves DEC website) builds upon ECL Article 49 Title 3 by formalizing the standards and procedures DEC will follow when modifying a conservation easement.
Modifications under Department review
- Angle Fly Preserve Conservation Easement, Town of Somers (Landowner), Town of Somers, Westchester County.
- East Branch Fish Creek Conservation Easement. The Nature Conservancy (Landowner), Towns of Montague, Martinsburg, Osceola, and West Turin, Lewis County.
- Valerio Conservation Easement, New York City Department of Environmental Protection (Landowner), Town of Kent, Putnam County.
Approved Modifications
- Long Pond Conservation Easement, JT Granshue Timberlands LLC (Landowner), Towns of Clifton and Colton, St. Lawrence County.
More about Conservation Easement Modifications:
- Angle Fly Preserve Conservation Easement Modification - Details on a proposed modification to the Angle Fly Preserve Conservation Easement in the Town of Somers, Westchester County, a portion of lands formally known as the Eagle River property.
- East Branch Fish Creek North Conservation Easement Modification - Modification to the 2006 conservation easement to allow camp #10 (Brandy Brook Camp, associated outbuildings and five-acre envelope located within the Page Swamp Forest Management Buffer Area to remain at its current location in perpetuity. This modification will also allow for one additional "Recreational Lease Structure" and associated five-acre envelope and clarifies the Grantor's use of the "Property Administration Structure" on the protected property.
- Long Pond Conservation Easement Modification - Modification to the 1999 conservation easement to allow 15 additonal camps to remain on the protected property. The modification was filed with the St. Lawrence County Clerks office on August 30, 2021.
- Heartwood Forestland Fund CE Modification - Modification allows the landowner (Heartwood Forestland Fund) to continue leasing 220 recreation camps and state acquisition of 2,800 acres of forest land. Deal adds 2,146 acres to the State Forest Preserve and creates 651-Acre State Forest
- Valerio Conservation Easement Modification - Details on a proposed modification to the Valerio Conservation Easement in the Town of Kent, Putnam County.