New York DEP Land Acquisition Program on the Land Conservation Assistance Network

New York DEP Land Acquisition Program
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last updated: May 2023

DEP’s Land Acquisition Program operates on a willing seller/willing buyer basis which means that landowner participation is completely voluntary. Owners of certain properties are solicited as to whether they are interested in selling land or a conservation easement to the City, but no one is forced to sell. Watershed landowners can also contact DEP directly if they are interested in discussing a potential property sale.

DEP also funds the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) to support acquisition of conservation easements on operating farms in the watershed. Farms are eligible for consideration if they have a Whole Farm Plan, which is a plan that circumscribes how agricultural uses can be undertaken while protecting water quality. This program also involves payment of fair market value.

In the West of Hudson Watershed, DEP acquires only vacant lands without habitable dwellings. All purchase offers are based on fair market value as determined by independent, certified appraisal companies commissioned and paid for by New York City. Following acquisition, the City pays assessed property taxes on both fee simple and conservation easements. Between 1997 and June 2013, almost 1,500 landowners had signed purchase contracts to sell close to 130,000 acres of land or easements at fair market value to DEP and WAC.

To request information via email, fill out this form and select Land Aquisition as the Message Topic.

REMINDER: This listing is a free service of LandCAN.
New York DEP Land Acquisition Program is not employed by or affiliated with the Land Conservation Assistance Network, and the Network does not certify or guarantee their services. The reader must perform their own due diligence and use their own judgment in the selection of any professional.