Schultz Lake Conservation Easement Summary
What is a Conservation Easement?
A legal contract between a landowner and a land conservancy that allows land to remain in private ownership but permanently protects the conservation values of the property. Each document follows a template that is tailored to the individual property. The conservation easement is permanent and is attached to the deed of the property in perpetuity. The land remains private, and the land conservancy will set up a time to visit, typically once a year, to ensure the restrictions in the easement are being followed.
To protect the conservation values of this high quality property, restrictions have been put into place through a conservation easement held by the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (SWMLC). SWMLC is a local nonprofit organization that works with people in the community to improve habitat, protect water quality, support biodiversity, connect people with nature, and help families conserve the land they love.
Website for more information: www.swmlc.org
Restrictions on the 170 acre conservation easement:
- Subdivision is prohibited
- Commercial activities are limited
- Industrial activities are prohibited
- Building structures –
– A home can be constructed in one of the two designated Building Envelopes with a footprint of up to 3,000 impervious square feet
– A barn can be constructed in Building Envelope 2 with a footprint of up to 1,000 impervious square feet.
– Hunting blinds and tree stands can be portable and non-permeant
– The bridge, dock and dam can be replaced. - Cutting vegetation
– Timber Harvesting for commercial purposes is prohibited
– Approx. 17 acres in the SE corner of the property can be used as open field
– Ecological Restoration is allowed with a written plan
– Trails and two tracks can be created and maintained
This list may not be all encompassing, for additional information please reference the full conservation easement document.
