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and agricultural soils, and agricultural and silvicultural viability and productivity by limiting nonagricultural uses ofthe <br />Protected Property. <br />WHEREAS, the Protected Property also includes outstanding woodland and riparian habitats for a variety of <br />wildlife species of importance to the Grantor, the people of County and the people of North Carolina. <br />WHEREAS, it is a secondary purpose of this Easement to protect the natural wildlife habitat, historical, and <br />scenic resources. The agricultural, natural, wildlife habitat and scenic resources of the Protected Property are collectively <br />referred to as the "Conservation Values" ofthe Protected Property. <br />WHEREAS, the specific Conservation Values of the Protected Property and its current use and state of <br />improvement are described in a Baseline Documentation Report ("Report") prepared by the Grantee with the cooperation <br />ofthe Grantor, and acknowledged by all parties to be accurate as ofthe date of his Easement. This Report may be used by <br />the Grantee to document any future changes in the use or character ofthe Protected Property in order to ensure the terms <br />and condition of the Easement are fulfilled. This Report, however, is not intended to preclude the use of other evidence to <br />establish the present condition ofthe Protected Property if there is a controversy over its use. The Grantor and Grantee <br />have copies of this Report, and said Report will remain on file at the office ofthe Grantee. <br />WHEREAS, the Grantor and Grantee agree that the current agricultural use of, and improvements to, the <br />Protected Property are consistent with the conservation purposes of this Easement. <br />WHEREAS, the Grantor intends that the Conservation Values ofthe Protected Property be preserved and <br />maintained, and further, Grantor intends to convey to the Grantee the right to preserve and protect the agricultural and <br />other Conservation Values ofthe Protected Property in perpetuity. <br />WHEREAS, the consideration paid for this Conservation Easement does not represent fair market value ofthe <br />Protected Property and it is the Grantor's intent to make a charitable contribution to Grantee. The fair market value of the <br />Protected Property shall be determined by one ofthe valuation methods and rules that affect valuation as set forth in <br />Regulation § 1.170A -14(h)(3). <br />WHEREAS, the Conservation Purposes of the Easement are recognized by, and the grant of this Easement will <br />serve, the following clearly delineated governmental conservation policies: <br />(1) North Carolina General Statute 139-2 et seq., which provides that "it is hereby declared ... that the farm, forest <br />and grazing lands ofthe State of North Carolina are among the basic assets ofthe State and the preservation <br />of these lands is necessary to protect and promote the health, safety and general welfare of its people... It is <br />hereby declared to be the policy ofthe legislature to provide for the conservation ofthe soil and resources of <br />this State;" <br />(2) North Carolina General Statute 106-583 et seq., which states that "It is declared to be the policy ofthe State <br />of North Carolina to promote the efficient production and utilization ofthe products ofthe soil as essential to <br />the health and welfare of our people and to promote a sound and prosperous agriculture and rural life as <br />indispensable to the maintenance of maximum prosperity;" <br />(3) The Uniform North Carolina Conservation and Historic Preservation Agreements Act, North Carolina <br />General Statute 121-34 et seq., which provides for the enforceability of restrictions, easements, covenants or <br />conditions "appropriate for retaining in land or water areas predominantly in their natural, scenic, or open <br />condition or in agricultural, horticultural, farming or forest use," and which provides for tax assessment of <br />lands subject to such agreements "on the basis ofthe true value ofthe land and improvement less any <br />reduction in value caused by the agreement;" <br />Attachment number 2 \n <br />F-10 Page 236 <br />