OGDEN VALLEY LAND TRUST

Have you been to the Ogden Valley lately? The air is fresh, the flowers
in bloom, and the lake pristine. For those outdoor enthusiasts… spring
breathes adventure; whether you want to bike, water ski, kayak, hike, run,
rock climb or kite board. For those who like to enjoy what Mother Nature
brings at a slower-paced lifestyle, the simple beauty of a scenic drive or
enjoying the scenery from the comfort of your own home can be every bit
as fulfilling. Embrace the invitation and try something new in the beauty
located in the mountains above Ogden which includes Huntsville, Eden
and Liberty.

Mountain Luxury's mission is to fulfill our customer’s dreams, while
supporting our community, neighbors, values, and affiliated organizations.
One such organization is the Land Trust, currently preserving nearly 6000
acres of land in our pristine valley. This local organization with local people
acting as its trustees, the Ogden Valley Land Trust is a non-profit corporation
established under Utah law for the purpose of preserving open space; and
carrying out educational and charitable activities, including education of the
public on matters relating to land use planning and conservation practices for
the use and improvement of land and the conservation of land in its natural or
undeveloped condition through the acquisition of interests.

Although it can operate anywhere within the state of Utah, the Ogden
Valley Land Trust has primarily focused on the preservation of open
space in Ogden Valley and Weber County but is now looking to expand
its reach by accepting conservation easements on properties located in
Morgan and Cache Counties, and acquiring new partnerships with other
conservation groups such as the Division of Wildlife Resources in an
effort to maximize its goal of protecting sensitive lands throughout the
Valley and surrounding areas through the acquisition and administration
of conservation easements.

A conservation easement is a voluntary contract between a landowner
and a charitable organization like the Ogden Valley Land Trust in which
the land owner places permanent restrictions on the future use of some
or all of their property in order to protect scenic, historic, cultural,
recreational, wildlife, ecological, and agricultural resources.

The goal of a conservation easement is to protect the conservation
values of the land. A gift of a conservation easement frequently benefits
a landowner by creating immediate tax benefits and by permanently
protecting important conservation qualities of the property without the
landowner having to relinquish ownership. The growing complex of
private lands that have already been protected in this manner are then
carefully stewarded by the land trust in perpetuity.

The Ogden Valley Land Trust was established in April 1998 by a group
of concerned landowners and residents interested in preserving Ogden
Valley’s complexion made up of pristine natural resources, scenic vistas,
agricultural and rural lifestyle, and open spaces. Concerned about the
possibility of unchecked development in the Ogden Valley, members
of the Ogden Valley Land Trust board felt that the most effective way
to protect these vital assets was through the formation of a legally
recognized non-profit land trust—the Ogden Valley Land Trust.

Today the Ogden Valley Land Trust assists landowners through education
and council regarding the advantages and benefits of conservation
easements, and how they can protect property in perpetuity from future
development. While conservation easements may limit commercial or
residential development to some degree or another, the property still
remains in private ownership with or without public access. There are
also many options available to land owners regarding the type and extent
of the easement; conservation easements are custom designed to fit the
needs and desires of the land owner. Once established, the owner is
still free to utilize the property in a variety of ways, and to maintain all
other legal benefits associated with the ownership of private property,
including conveyance through a land sale or to beneficiaries named in a
will.

The most common and immediate tangible benefits of placing a
conservation easement on private property include savings to heirs on
inheritance taxes, tax benefits from a conservation easement donation
made to a legal non-profit organization such as the Ogden Valley Land
Trust, and annual property tax savings. Recently the federal government
increased the tax benefits for conservation easement donations, and
for those whose land remains as a working farm. Tax benefits for these
types of conservation easements are substantial.

The Ogden Valley Land Trust now holds conservation easements on
nearly 6,000 acres located within Ogden Valley. The first easement was
established in 2000 to protect a 16 acre parcel. Subsequent easements
have been legally established to protect 120 acres of pasture and
ranchland near the old Snowbasin road, and more than 5,000 acres in
the South Fork area near Monte Cristo. Even with the conservation
easement placed on this most recent expanse of property, the owners are
still able to utilize the land as a ranch and hunting preserve.

Conservation easements have been used widely in the eastern United
States, and in the last fifteen years have increased in popularity in the
western United States. Conservation easements allow property owners
to maintain all rights to their land while restricting development in
perpetuity. The conservation easement runs with the land on the deed,
ensuring that the easement, even if sold, remains in effect in perpetuity.

While some land trusts have substantial financial donor campaigns
allowing the trusts to purchase properties or easements outright,
the Ogden Valley Land Trust is still relatively small, and, today, still
relies solely on individuals who are willing to donate property or their
property’s development rights in the form of a conservation easement.
Once held in trust, the land trust assists landowners by ensuring that
agreed upon restrictions are maintained on the land. The land trust
is the steward for the land in perpetuity and holds an important place
in guaranteeing that legal restrictions are maintained as intended and
legally designated.

For more information about the Ogden Land Trust, or for assistance
in developing a conservation easement, contact Ogden Valley Trust
Director Carla Wiese at 510-6139, or Board Chairman James Hasenyager
at 745-2048.