Monitoring & Whole Farm Plan Annual Status Reviews
Yearly monitoring of WAC Conservation Easements includes one aerial monitoring and one land-based inspection, with the landowner present, to discuss any changes that may have occurred since the last visit.
Monitoring is managed using a predetermined calendar, which schedules property visits by month. At the monitoring visit, a Ground Monitoring Form is used to identify all activities that may require CE Program staff or Easement Committee attention. Back at the WAC office, the Stewardship Database allows the Stewardship Specialist to quantify and qualify all activities occurring on all properties, as well as manage the history of a conservation easement dating back to the original grantor (landowner) and, if applicable, the original Whole Farm Plan (“WFP”).
Additionally, WAC Program staff (specifically, Conservation Planners) conduct separate monitoring and review of the WFPs on eased properties through an Annual Status Review (“ASR”). WFPs are conservation plans designed to mitigate environmental concerns and to protect water resources. Anyone whose property is eased and engages in commercial agriculture is required to have a current and active WFP.
Monitoring |