By what process will these funds be managed?
The Conservation Reserve Fund policy is based on specific criteria and a specific application and review process, that will include public meetings. General criteria include benefits to Jericho in the form of permanently preserving or improving water quality, wildlife, recreational, historic, cultural, scenic or environmental value. There are also criteria which cover natural resources, agricultural resources and historical resources. Projects that benefit from the fund should accomplish at least one of the criteria set out in the guidelines.
Jericho residents with a conservation project in mind can review the criteria for use of Conservation Reserve Funds online or at Town Hall. A detailed application form will also be available at those locations.
The Conservation Commission will analyze applications during an annual review process. Projects which have successfully met the criteria will be recommended to the Select Board for review and public discussion.
Will there be limits on project size in terms of dollars?
The proposed policy does not place a “cap” on the amount which can be allocated for a project, however, land acquisition under $50,000 in one year may be funded by the Select Board, and land acquisition over $50,000 in one year would require approval from the voters. See below for more details.
The amount allocated to each project will depend on several things:
The total balance in the Fund
The number of other viable applications
The value of the project to the town and citizens of Jericho
Here are some possible ways the Fund could be used. In a given year the Fund might only be used for a few smaller projects and a larger balance would remain. Or, if a sufficient balance had accrued over several years and an opportunity arose to help conserve a large forested area which could be accessed by the public, the Fund balance could be used to help finance such a project, along with the expectation that additional funds from grant resources would be leveraged to subsidize larger projects. The fund would then be allowed to build up again before additional projects could be supported.
In the case that land was being purchased, the policy states in Section VI- Procedures, item 6:
“Acquisition of a parcel of real estate by the Town (meaning purchase of a parcel and not solely its development rights) requiring more than $50,000 from the Reserve Fund in any single year shall require approval of the voters. The Selectboard will make the final determination for all other expenditures from the Fund.”
Is it just for land purchase or easement purchases?
The Fund is intended to help landowners establish easements, covenants, etc. In some cases, the Town may purchase an easement or right of way, for example, and compensate the landowner. The fund may also be used to purchase land but that’s not its primary purpose.
From Town of Jericho Conservation Reserve Fund, Section II: Purposes and Uses of the Conservation Reserve fund -
“The fund will be used to contribute toward permanent protection of natural, scenic, agricultural or historical resources in and of importance to Jericho. The Fund will enable the Town to secure, protect, and/or conserve land, resources and/or structures.The Town may use the Fund to act alone, or in concert with other entities such as a Land Trust or a landowner, for easements, development rights, rights of way, covenants, purchases or similar instruments, or to contribute to these activities.”
Will the Conservation Commission be the manager of the fund?
The Conservation Commission will review applications and determine when criteria for use of conservation reserve funds have been met. Projects that merit consideration will be forwarded to the Jericho Select Board for a final decision.
What are the current needs that are being unmet by NOT having this fund?
Currently, Jericho has no consistent, reliable way to accumulate funds that would enable the Town to assist landowners or to act on opportunities. Without the Fund, Jericho has no explicit policy for public investment in conservation efforts. Without the Fund, the Town cannot receive matching grants from a Land Trust, for example, or other funds from a non-profit, that multiply the Town’s resources. For example, Richmond’s Fund has been used to attract outside funds which amount to $4.67 for every dollar put into the fund by residents.
Without the Fund, The Town has no specific resources that can compensate landowners who choose conservation and/or public access to their land. Several years ago, the Town used to provide a tax credit for landowners who agreed to not develop their land for up to 5 years, but the tax agreement was temporary, limited, and overlapped with the State’s Current Use program. The tax agreement did not permanently protect resources or facilitate public access, and it was only available to larger landowners.
The Conservation Fund re-establishes a way to compensate landowners, but with a more equitable structure. The Conservation Fund will provide incentives to landowners who help the Town achieve Town goals, such as trail easements, open space preservation, and protecting parts of Jericho’s history.
From Town of Jericho Conservation Reserve Fund, Section II: Purposes and Uses of the Conservation Reserve fund -
“This Fund shall be established to benefit both current residents and future generations as our town grows and the demands and pressures on important but limited resources intensify. The Fund is created for the purposes of preserving water quality, providing outdoor recreational opportunities, protecting wildlife, and conserving important natural, scenic, agricultural and historic resources. The Fund is needed to help the Town to achieve several goals as stated in the Town Plan.”
