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This seems like it would inevitably lead to a limited number of entities owning almost all the conservation land. Stripping it of development value in perpetui

This seems like it would inevitably lead to a limited number of entities owning almost all the conservation land. Stripping it of development value in perpetuity ought to lower the value considerably, making it easier for an interested party to accumulate it. Maybe in hopes that some day they'll figure out how to undo that restriction. Edit: On second thought, after doing a quick bit of research, the conservation easement can be removed. So the value will be impacted, but the land will still have some residual development value.

giantg2 4y ago
Generally the easement can't be removed except by the trust that owns those rights, and that's not something they will want to give up. So yes, these organizations will eventually hold the rights to vast amounts of land, with limited oversight (compared to a municipality or other democratic org), while the "owner" paying the taxes and upkeep on the land can be individuals (not the org). And yes, the value of that land tends to go down slightly. But it constrains supply which causes all the other land to increase.