(A) In order for a conservation easement to be considered for purchase by the Woodford County Rural Land Board, a completed application shall be submitted by the landowner on the approved application form by the deadline established by the Board. The landowner or a duly authorized representative of the landowner may apply. All landowners shall sign the application. A separate application shall be required for each parcel of land offered for acquisition except for batch applications as provided for in § 154.47(C). The Board shall, by regulation, establish policies and procedures for assisting landowners with the application process. The following information shall be included in a completed application:
(1) Adequate identification by deed reference of the parcel of land to be considered for purchase;
(2) A map of the property at a scale of at least 1inch = 600 feet showing the land area to be considered for purchase, as well as any contiguous acreage under the same ownership to be excluded, or a copy of a recorded plat of record, if any;
(3) A United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Services Soil Map and farm plan and/or forest stewardship plan, if any, for the parcel under consideration;
(4) A full description of the agricultural production carried out on the property including type and quality of crops, number of livestock, and acreage of land leased or used from others for agricultural production;
(5) A statement by the landowner of any contingencies which the landowner wishes to make the Woodford County Rural Land Board aware of such as death, health, or retirement of the owner, financial stress, estate settlement, or other circumstances which may affect the property in the future;
(6) The landowner’s preferred method of payment for the acquisition, including but not limited to, lump sum payment or payout over time;
(7) A statement by the landowner agreeing to allow inspection and appraisal of the parcel of land;
(8) A list of any and all liens and encumbrances on the parcel of land and a letter from the holder of such evidencing willingness to subordinate the applicant’s interests to the conservation easement;
(9) Existence of any surface or mineral leases or easements;
(10) A filing fee, in an amount established by the Woodford County Rural Land Board;
(11) All other information requested on the approved application form; and
(12) Full disclosure by the landowner of all known contaminants detrimental to the environment.
(B) The Woodford County Rural Land Board shall review the application to determine if it is complete. If the application is complete, the Board shall make a preliminary evaluation of whether the parcel meets the minimum criteria established in § 154.45. If it is determined that the parcel of land is eligible land, the Board shall notify the landowner in writing that the conservation easement will be considered for purchase or that, for reasons set forth in writing, the application is being rejected. A landowner who is dissatisfied with the Board’s determination may appeal to the Woodford County Rural Land Board pursuant to § 154.48(B).
(Ord. 2009-06, passed 7-14-2009; AM. Ord. 2023-05, passed 5-23-2023)