Frequently Asked Questions

A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a conservation organization or public agency. It restricts the amount and type of development that can occur on a piece of land and protects a property’s value as agricultural land, a scenic view, an open space, a river corridor, a park, etc. The agreement is perpetual and runs with the land, binding all future owners of the land as well as the existing landowner.

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is water pollution that comes from indirect sources, such as agricultural runoff from pesticides and fertilizers, urban runoff from polluted stormwater being washed off paved surfaces, or sediment from soil erosion. It is the leading cause of water pollution in the United States today.

Harpeth River Watershed Association and the Land Trust of Tennessee are the places to start. USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service also has technical and financial assistance available.

In some cases the benefits are down stream from your property, however you may be downstream from someone else. In many cases you benefit by improving the health of the land in which best management practices are applied.

Just as the Land Trust for Tennessee, Conservation District and The Natural Resource Conservation does, your information will be kept confidential.

The primary purpose of this project is to improve and maintain the water quality and the health of the land.

Cost share assistance may be available for installation of best management practices. There are also financial incentives for easement programs.

You can go directly to the agency, however their resources are stretched. With this project we hope be a conduit from you to the agency thus saving valuable time and ensuring quality service.

Conservation technical assistance can be provided by a governmental agency such as USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Williamson County Soil Conservation District, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Harpeth River Watershed Association and the Land Trust for Tennessee. The Southeast Watershed Forum may provide limited observation assistance and translate information to governmental agencies to expedite time.

Technical assistance is providing advice, consultation, information, directions, and physical surveys to solve a natural resource issue.

Best Management practices are conservation measures applied on the land to improve an adverse condition, like eroding soil, sedimentation, or degraded water quality. Some of the most profitable practices require little or no financial investment can reduce expenses and may go the farthest towards protecting water quality.

This web-based Conservation Planning Tool will allow you to go on line to determine the extent of your conservation problem and to view what a typical solution will look like. The tool will also provide a step by step solution to minor issues. If the system is complex it will guide you to a step by step process to seek more comprehensive technical assistance. The tool will also will allow you to post specific questions and get answers response in less than 36 hours.