Conservation easements offer a major tool to protect important natural resources, particularly freshwater wetlands. Hired by North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council, ANJEC developed the Stewardship Resource CD which contains a wide range of information including articles by David Peifer, ANJEC Project Director and James Wyse, Esq., of Herold and Haines, as well as key New Jersey legislation, approaches used by New Jersey Conservation Foundation and municipalities, brochures and excerpts from ANJEC's Freshwater Wetlands Protection in New Jersey manual.

Stewardship Resource CD Contents

LAND STEWARDSHIP FOR MUNICIPALITIES - David Peifer, Project Director, ANJEC

Easements
ABOUT EASEMENTS: Introduction to Conservation Easements -James Wyse, Esq.

• Initial Thoughts on Easements
• A Few Words about Tax Law
• About the Easement Transfer Process
• Easement Provisions in Brief
• Easement Law

CREATING AN INVENTORY OF YOUR TOWN'S EASEMENTS

• Create an Inventory - Conservation Easement Inventory and Baseline Inspection

ONCE THE TOWN HAS THE EASEMENT

• Importance of the Baseline Documentation
  • Baseline Information Form
• Forms for Inspection and Monitoring
  • Mendham Twp (Morris) Monitoring Form
  • NJCF Easement Monitoring Form
  • Chester Twp (Morris) Inspection Form
• Letters to Owners
  • Mendham Twp. (Morris)
    • Intro to Concept
    • To Property Owner of Easement
    • Follow Up Letter to Owner
  • Chester Twp. (Morris)
    • Sample Notice of Inspection

OBTAINING NEW EASEMENTS

• Development Review Process
  • NJ Land Use
• Site Plan & Subdivision Ordinances Requiring Easements
  • Bernards Twp. (Somerset)
  • Mendham Twp. (Morris)
  • Chester Twp. (Morris)
• Ordinances to Complement Wetlands Protection
  • Municipal Action for the Environment - A two-sided brochure, to be folded in half
  • Cluster
    • Franklin Twp. (Somerset)
    • Readington Twp. (Hunterdon)
  • Critical Areas Protection
    • Alexandria Twp. (Hunterdon)
    • Mendham Twp. (Morris)
  • Stream Corridor Protection
    • Far Hills (Somerset)
    • Mt. Olive (Morris)
  • NJ DEP Easements
• Donations Using Planning Tools
• Easement Purchase

PUBLIC OUTREACH ABOUT EASEMENTS

• Municipal Fliers for Public Outreach
  • Chatham Twp. (Morris) Flier
  • Mendham Twp. (Morris)Brochure - a tri-fold brochure
  • Old Bridge (Middlesex) Flier - a four-fold brochure

NJ WETLANDS PROTECTION

• Introduction to NJ Act
• Wetlands Regulations Summary
  • Special Case - Vernal Habitat
• Determining What Permits are Needed
• General Wetlands Education
  • What are Wetlands?
  • Test Your Wetlands IQ
  • Wetlands and People
  • Economic Benefits

RESOURCES TO HELP

• Land Trusts
  • About Land Trusts
  • List -National, state and regional land trusts
• Watershed Organizations - New Jersey Groups
• Funding - Opportunities

The Caring for Conservation Easements brochure available outlines the Stewardship Resource CD's key resources. If you're interested in obtaining the full information on the CD, the cost is $5 including shipping. Submit an order and we'll send you the Caring for Conservation CD and brochure.

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