Conservation Easements

A conservation easement is a legally recorded agreement by which landowners may voluntarily restrict the use of their land.  A conservation easement protects important land resources.  The duration of a conservation easement can vary depending on the desires of the landowner.  Perpetual easements provide tax benefits to the land owner and permanent protection by subjecting all future landowners to the same restrictions as stated in the original agreement.  Conservation easements can be used to protect agricultural land, forested land, wildlife areas, wetlands, and other scenic or natural lands.

A landowner who conveys a conservation easement retains all rights to use the land for all purposes that do not interfere with the conservation of the property as stated in the terms of the easement.  Landowners retain the title to the property, the right to sell the property, to restrict public access, and give the property to whomever.  However, most or all the rights to develop are restricted or eliminated.

Currently, the City of Shakopee has been granted three conservation easements.  These conservation easements were granted to the City in the platting process for Whispering Oaks, Dean Lakes, and ACC 2nd Addition developments.  While the City of Shakopee is not the owner of these lands in many cases, it is now the regulatory authority for protecting these areas.  This includes managing and enforcing the restrictions stated in the easement document.

For specific information about the locations of existing easements and the resulting building restrictions, please select from the following: 

Dean Lakes  /  Whispering Oaks #1  / Whispering Oaks #2  / ACC 2nd Addition

Additional Information:

Park, Open Space and Conservation Easement Boundary Marking Project

1000 Friends of Minnesota -Conservation Easement Program Information

Land Trust Alliance Conservation Easement Information

Conservation easement information obtained from the 1000 Friends of Minnesota website.