Cave Protection Options Available to Landowners
| Caves can contain unique and fragile archaeological, historical,
paleontological, biological, geological, hydrological and economic
resources. Each of these aspects can require specialized management
and protection techniques. |
As a landowner in a karst region, you may know that your
property could be an important piece of a much larger underground drainage
puzzle. If your land has a cave entrance, you are the caretaker of
a very special natural resource. Caves and the karst environment surrounding
them are hydrologically
connected (through groundwater and surface water) and may contain unusual or
rare species of plants or animals. Protecting the cave and karst environment
is the only way to ensure good groundwater quality in your area. Landowners
have several voluntary options available to help conserve these fragile environments
for future generations.
Registry Agreement
- A landowner may have the opportunity to "register" a
significant cave with a conservation organization. The registry
agreement is not a legal document,
but merely the owner's written acknowledgment of the significance of the
cave, and an expression of willingness to protect the site. The landowner
usually
receives a commemorative plaque or photo for being a registry participant.
Management Lease or Agreement
- Management agreements are legal contracts between landowners
and conservation organizations that state that the cave and surrounding
land will be managed in a certain manner for a specified period. The
landowner may turn over management
responsibilities to a conservation group but retains ownership of the entire
property.
Conservation Easement
- A conservation easement can be offered to a landowner by a conservation
organization to limit certain uses of the property. Easements are
very flexible and may be tailored to meet the individual circumstances.
An easement is a permanent restriction on the use of the property
and
is
recorded with the land records held by the county registrar of
deeds or titles. By granting a conservation
easement, a landowner is giving up unused property rights of some economic
value, and may be able to claim a charitable contribution on federal tax
returns and reduce capital gains, local real estate, and inheritance
taxes.
Fee Acquisition
- A landowner may have the option of selling a portion of his/her
property to a conservation organization in the business of preserving,
protecting, and owning preserves. There are many ways in which
an owner can sell all or part of his/her
property. Some of these options may allow a tax deduction; others may allow
the owner life-long rights to remain a resident on the property.
Sharing the Costs
- Government agencies and public and private organizations can
help share the cost of some karst management or karst protection
programs.
Transferable Development Rights
- The concept that a property owner's "rights" to develop
a site can be voluntarily given up or sold to a local jurisdiction
is being tested in some rapidly growing parts of the country. The
City of
Virginia Beach, VA, for example, is seeking to protect valuable
wetlands, farmland, and water quality by offering a financial solution
to farmers
challenged by rising land values, taxes, and urban sprawl. Contact
your regional planning commission to find out if these types of
programs are
offered in your area.
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