December 5, 2007

LANSING - The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) accepted its 20th donated conservation easement, this time on a 41-acre open space parcel in the Keweenaw Peninsula. This easement permanently preserves open space or farmland for the continued use of the land in its current condition while restricting development of the land.

“This 20th donated conservation easement is a milestone for the Department,” said Don Koivisto, MDA Director. “Preserving Michigan’s prime farmland and open spaces through conservation easements ensures growth to our State's economy and helps make the Great Lakes a beautiful place to live and visit.”

The conservation easement was donated by several families that collectively own the parcel located in the unspoiled wilderness in the Upper Peninsula, near Grand Marais Harbor, on the south shore of Lake Superior.

MDA has received donations of conservation easements since 1994, as well as purchasing the development rights of farmland parcels throughout the state, under the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program. The Department holds 86 conservation easements in 33 counties, which permanently protect more than 19,000 acres of land in Michigan.

Conservation easements may be donated to any qualified entity such as the State, a local government, or a land conservancy. The landowner can make a donation simply to preserve land that has been in the family for years or to receive favorable local and federal tax advantages for making the donation. Conservation easements can be considered as a charitable donation for purposes of federal taxes. Also, a new Michigan law provides for conservation easement protected land to retain the taxable value of the property at pre-conservation easement levels.

For more information on donating conservation easements, visit MDA’s Web site at www.michigan.gov/farmland or contact the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Office at 517-373-3328.