Montana 2025 Legislative Session

[WanderWoman]

I don’t want to see my 4th on one side(5th on the other side) ranch/farm, or yours developed either…. I nor my brother, son/nephews have much to worry about here.
I view an easement that’s “in perpetuity” as selling the soul of the land. It puts a price on something that is priceless to me.

The beauty about CEs is that they occur between two willing parties. A willing buyer, and a willing seller. No one is coming and forcing a perpetual CE on someone that doesn't want one. Do you think that because you don't like perpetual CEs, you should be able to inhibit someone else from selling one? Because even if you yourself aren't doing that, others with that same "I don't like perpetual" mentality, and the power to do so, are preventing just that. I'm not a landowner but if I was and someone was exerting their values onto me in such a manner, I'd feel pretty violated. It'd be like someone saying, "Oh WanderWoman, you can't sell your house to so-and-so, I don't like them." Both are attempts to prevent someone from doing something, based on a personal opinion or value as opposed to what I feel would be a legitimate reason.

As far as soul of the land goes, I think that's dead and gone when someone paves it over for a condo or McMansion. Especially when said McMansion is built up on a road called "Sage Hen Lane," or "Mule Deer Way," as some tribute to the critters that may have once been there, but aren't anymore.

I do agree, the native ground we have in Montana and in the west is priceless, especially when it comes to the value it has for future generations.

 

[Forkyfinder]

There are many conservation easements. The ones in perpetuity that give up everything are in my belief a mistake.
I live right next to 2 blocks of land that have C.E.’s on them. Neither place has had an offer on them that’s legit. I’ve made a contingent offer of $150 an acre. Contingent because I’m not certain that either would pencil ag wise. If the easement could be reversed, both parcels sell overnight for 800-1200 an acre.

Exactly. And what was it worth when they got paid with the CE?

If they get reversed - what kind of return is fair on buying it back? Surely not cheap - the lands exploded in value.