Commissioners approve two Walters conservation easements to preserve agricultural land

Fergus County commissioners voted Nov. 10 to approve two conservation easements for properties owned by Ron and Laura Walters after a presentation by the Montana Land Reliance.

Brad Hanson, a representative of the nonprofit Montana Land Reliance, told commissioners the easements are intended to preserve agricultural integrity and prevent the properties from being subdivided in the future. Hanson read language from Montana Code Annotated 76‑6‑208 and said state law bases taxation on restricted uses rather than automatically lowering assessed valuation because an easement exists.

Brad Hanson said the group had provided commissioners with draft easement language and expected the agreements to close before the end of the year. He described the primary terms the planning board recommended for approval and answered commissioners’ questions about vegetation preservation and construction windows.

Commissioners expressed support for the goals of preserving farmland and said Montana Land Reliance has an appropriate reputation for stewarding easements. One commissioner acknowledged philosophical concerns about ‘perpetuity’ clauses in conservation easements but said he respected MLR’s intent and supported the approvals.

Both Walters easements were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

What happens next: Staff and the Montana Land Reliance will proceed toward finalizing the easement closings; county planning staff will require written notification on completion as a condition of the floodplain/conservation processes where applicable.