Title
Resolution to Accept a $1,749,300.00 Grant and Approve a Parcel Contract with USDA-NRCS for a Conservation Easement on Property in Salem Township
Memorandum
This resolution accepts federal ACEP grant funds for a conservation easement on this property through execution of a Parcel Contract with USDA-NRCS. After execution of the Parcel Contract to secure the grant funds, staff will approach the City's conservation partners for contributions to defray the cost of the purchase. Once the contributions are determined, staff will bring a resolution to City Council for final approval of the purchase.
Background
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides matching federal grant funds for up to 50% of the cost of the purchase of agricultural conservation easements on farmland. The City's Greenbelt Program regularly applies for ACEP grants to leverage purchases made with the City's Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage funds.
On January 6, 2020, the City Council approved a grant application for the purchase of a conservation easement on property in Salem Township (Resolution R-19-591). On July 20, 2020, the City received notice that the ACEP Program awarded the City $1,749,300.00. The Greenbelt Advisory Commission approved a motion recommending acceptance of these grant funds at its August 6, 2020 meeting.
A brief description of the property is as follows:
The conservation easement is anticipated to cover approximately 375 acres in Salem Township. The property is considered large enough to sustain agricultural production and is in a location that will encourage additional farmland and agricultural preservation activities, and is the largest application in the Greenbelt Program's history. It is adjacent to an existing Greenbelt easement. The property scored in the top 13% of all Greenbelt applications in the scoring system developed and approved ...
Click here for full text