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<br />LA <br /> <br />the added flexibility of using monies that do not have standard <br />restrictions (e.g., 20 year agreements, restoration only, wetland <br />emphasis, etc.). Using RIP money would provide greater flexibility <br />in the kind of agreements that could be consummated. <br /> <br />-Leases--can be written to include very limited or very inclusive <br />provisions depending on how much management or habitat modification <br />is desired and how much the Program is willing to compensate the <br />landowner. Leases can include all land management rights but are <br />usually for a short time (e.g., one to five years). <br /> <br />-Conservation Easements--are a purchase of limited ownership rights <br />to the land, and can be tailored to specific sites and projects. <br />The cost of the easement depends upon the extent to which the <br />easement limits the highest and best use of the property and the <br />current economic returns to the landowner. Easements are usually <br />perpetual but can be for shorter terms. Easements usually are <br />designed to protect habitat rather that allow agency management of <br />habitat. However, they can be designed to do anything that the <br />seller and buyer negotiate. Easements do not have to be Federal. <br />For example, the Colorado Cattleman's Association has entered into <br />the realm of easement acquisition. Such an organization may be a <br />perfect bridge between landowners and agencies. <br /> <br />-Fee Title Acquisition--Fee title is the absolute ownership of all <br />surface rights and provides maximum management interest to the <br />buyer. <br /> <br />-Exchange of Management--Agencies and private landowners can <br />exchange management rights, usually for a short duration, to <br />accomplish specific short term objectives. For example, exchanging <br />free grazing on BLM land for temporary flooding of bottomland <br />habitat on private land. <br /> <br />-Land Exchange--Simple exchange of Federal or State land for private <br />land. <br /> <br />-Wetland Reserve Program--use these monies within Department of <br />Agriculture limits. <br /> <br />Following are gUidelines for developing agreements with floodplain <br />landowners: <br /> <br />1. During the term of the agreement, the landowner must not take <br />any actions to prevent flooding of the designated property. <br />2. All compatible land uses will be allowed. <br />3. The longer the term of the agreement, the more the Program will <br />pay (e.g., up to $2K per acre for a perpetual easement). <br />4. The Habitat Restoration Program may be able to assist with <br />floodproofing certain portions of the property. <br />5. The Habitat Restoration Program will pay for levee breaching or <br />removal. <br /> <br />8 <br />