January 26, 2010
Lee Catlin, Community Relations Manager
Phone: 434-296-5841, cell -434-531-8092
lcatlin@albemarle.org

For More Information:
Lee Catlin, Albemarle County Community Relations Director, 434-296-5841
Rex Linville, Piedmont Environmental Council, 434-977-2033

County Announces Land Conservation Totals for 2009

Albemarle added almost 11,500 acres of conserved rural area land

Albemarle County is pleased to announce substantial increases in acreage placed in agricultural and forestal districts, open space, conservation easements and parkland in the County's rural area by landowners in 2009 according to new figures released today. Albemarle added a total of almost 11,500 acres of conserved land last year, including significant acreage protected with donated conservation easements to the Virginia Outdoors Foundation and the Piedmont Environmental Council. Of that 11,500 total, approximately 3,800 acres were permanently protected in the rural area through conservation easements, bringing the total acreage of conservation easements in Albemarle County to over 81,000.

Property placed in Agricultural/Forestal districts and through Open Space Agreements are protected from development for between 4 and 10 years. In 2009, the county added 97 parcels totaling 6,500 acres and created two new districts in its Agricultural/ Forestal District program, bringing the total to 26 districts comprising 88,100 acres. Additionally, 21 Open Space Agreements for 730 acres were recorded during 2009. County staff attributes a significant amount of the activity in Agricultural and Forestal Districts and Open Space Agreements to the Land Use Revalidation program conducted in 2009.

Here are some key land conservation highlights in 2009:

Farmland properties totaling 811 acres were protected with purchased easements funded by Albemarle County though the Acquisition of Conservation Easements (ACE) Program.

The County was awarded $93,932 in matching funds from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to supplement general fund support for the ACE program.

537 acres of donated conservation easements went to the Public Recreational Facilities Authority of Albemarle County, an independent entity created by the County for the purpose of holding conservation easements.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation acquired a new park in Albemarle County which permanently protects 375 acres in the rural area as part of the park's overall 1200 acres.

The Virginia Outdoors Foundation received 1,561 acres in conservation easements.

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) received 924 acres in conservation easements in the Carters Bridge area of Albemarle County which protected the land around an important historic home known as Redlands.

"With the serious financial constraints facing the County's ACE program, it is very positive to see county landowners taking advantage of a wide range of land conservation programs and opportunities to protect the rural resources that our community values so highly," said County Board of Supervisors Chairman Ann Mallek. "We appreciate the dedicated stewardship of our citizens and our easement partners at the Virginia Outdoors Foundation and the PEC in making land conservation a priority."

According to Rex Linville of the Piedmont Environmental Council, "Individual landowners who want to preserve their property are fortunate that the Commonwealth of Virginia and Albemarle County have been willing to invest significant resources and create meaningful incentives for conservation. In order for the pace of conservation that we have established over the past few years to continue strong commitment must also continue."

Landowners wanting more information about land conservation options available to them can contact the County's Community Development Department at 434-296-5832 or the Piedmont Environmental Council at 434-977-2033.