North Carolina Wildlife Conservation Lands Program
G.S. 105-277.15
Brad Howard – NCWRC, Private Lands Program
Introduction
• This program recognizes wildlife conservation land (WCL) as a special class of property that must be assessed at a reduced value. • It does not place WCL into the PUV program, however it does require the land to be assessed as if it were agriculture land. • The statute further defines certain types of habitats and the protection of certain species that will qualify land as WCLs. • Finally it sets acreage requirements and limitations, ownership restrictions, prior land classifications and penalties for noncompliance.
Why?
• Wildlife belong to the people and as such are a valuable part of our state
• Allow landowners who truly manage their property for the benefit of wildlife to continue to do so in the face of ever increasing property values. • Provide a mechanism for counties to retain open space while meeting state conservation objectives.
• Retain a mechanism to recoup lost revenue should the
landowner default on their agreement or the property
change hands.
Groundbreaking!
• The first program to recognize and provide benefits for the management of Non-game wildlife resources. • Recognizes that there is a cost to landowners that manage their lands for the benefit of wildlife. • Utilizes the State Wildlife Action Plan to identify priority habitats that should be conserved in N.C. • Creates a positive program to protect open space.
Requirements for Participation
• • • • • Acreage Land Use Prior Land Classification Ownership Penalty for Not Fulfilling Landowner Obligations
Acreage
• WCL must consist of 20 contiguous qualifying acres. • Must be managed under a written Wildlife Habitat Conservation Agreement (WHCA) with N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). • No more than 100 acres of land is eligible per landowner in any 1 county.
Land Use
Must meet at least one of two conditions
1. Protect a wildlife species on the protected wildlife species list found in NCAC 10I.0103, .0104, or .0105. 2. Conserve one or more priority wildlife habitats listed in the statute.
Protect a Wildlife Species
“Protect an animal species that lives on the land and, as of January 1 of the year for which the benefit of this section is claimed, is on a North Carolina protected animal list published by the Commission under G.S. 113-333.”
Defining Lives and Protect!
• Lives means a wildlife species has been identified on the land at the time the benefit is claimed. • Protect means that the species is protected through appropriate land management strategies. • Observation of a species does not automatically qualify a property. • Demonstrable evidence must be presented that both the lives and protect criteria are being met. • For migratory species, the land must provided breeding, wintering or foraging habitat to qualify.
Conserve a Priority Wildlife Habitat
“Conserve any of the following priority animal wildlife habitats: longleaf pine forest, early successional habitat, small wetland community, stream and riparian zone, rock outcrop, or bat cave.”
Defining Conserve!
• Means to manage for the continued wildlife benefits of one of the priority habitats listed in the statute. • Qualifying habitats may include lands surrounding the habitat if those lands are necessary and utilized for conservation of the existing habitat. • Conservation does not preclude some human uses of the land.
Prior Land Qualification
• Landowners may transfer from current PUV to WCL with no penalties or waiting period so long as they meet the WCL qualifications. • Lands not enrolled in PUV must satisfy both the NCWRC and the County that the land has been used for the purpose outlined in the WHCA for 3 years proceeding January 1 of the year in which the benefit is claimed.
Ownership
• Landowner must be an individual, a family business entity, or a family trust. • If a new owner acquires the land already classified as WCL then that owner has 60 days to apply with the county and sign an agreement with the NCWRC to keep the classification.
Wildlife Habitat Conservation Agreement
The Agreement Must
1. Document the presence of a protected species or the existence of one or more priority habitats. 2. Describe the management strategies in place or planned with appropriate timelines to ensure the continued existence of either or both.
Page #1 of the WHCA
Applicant Information
1. County:
2.
Landowner Name:
3. 4.
Mailing Address: Contact Information: Home:( Work:( ) )
Cell:(
Email:
)
5. 6.
Type of Ownership: Property Location or Physical Address if different from mailing address
Individual
Family Business
Family Trust
7.
Consultant or Plan Preparer’s Name, Contact Information (if applicable) Phone # ( Email: )
Page #2 of the WHCA
Refer to instructions sheet for completing this table.
Habitat Type* or Species Protected** Year Established or Documented Total Parcel Acres Qualifying Acres Are Qualifying Acres Currently Enrolled in the PUV Program? Yes No
8. Wildlife Conservation Land Information Table
Parcel ID
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Total Acres:
Management Summary Sheets
• Identify the habitat or protected species they are submitting for qualification. • Submit a management strategy that outlines mgmt. actions and timeline. • Provide any other documentation that establishes their qualification for the classification.
Management Summary Sheet
Longleaf Pine Forests
Identify the areas on the property map for which classification as Wildlife Conservation Land is being claimed for this priority habitat type. (i.e. Area #1, Area #2)
Indicate the planned management practices for the Longleaf Pine habitat on your property. (Check all that apply and provide supporting information/documentation as necessary)
Establishment of Longleaf Pine stand Total acres Tree per acre:
Map areas(s):
2 or 3 year burning rotation on established or natural stands Total acres annually: Map area(s): Thinning Map area(s): Basal area:
Additional Comments/Explanation:
(Attach additional sheets if necessary)
Process
• Landowner makes application to the NCWRC for a WHCA. • NCWRC staff makes contact with landowner. • Landowner completes application and provides documentation, site visit generally conducted. • Landowner and NCWRC representative sign the agreement. • Landowner makes application with the County and submits agreement.
Points of Interest
• Both the WHCA and the County Application will require a map. • Maps must be printed to scale with habitat areas clearly identified and the acreage can be calculated. • We are currently working on options for landowners to develop maps, the NCWRC will not produce the map or the plan.
Map Legend Gives Total Acres for Area of Interest
The NCWRC: Is committed to this program and assisting landowners and counties alike with successful implementation.
QUESTIONS?
Brad Howard – NCWRC brad.howard@ncwildlife.org 828-294-2605