[Michigan_LT] Baseline reports

[BLonik13 at aol.com]

In a message dated 3/25/07 10:25:08 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
jbrokish at chikamingopenlands.org writes:


> What is your philosophy on the level of detail that is included in the 
> baseline report?  I’m not talking about photos at all the corners and of existing 
> structures, I’m talking about things like comprehensive species lists, any 
> current or recommended management practices, documenting specific habitats, 
> etc.   What are the advantages of including a lot of details?  Any 
> disadvantages?   Any “wish-we-would-haves” from conservancies that have had to prove a 
> violation?
> 
> Do any conservancies record the baseline report with the CE?   Pros / cons 
> of doing so?

You have many questions young grasshopper...

There are many "depends" to answer them.  If it's an agricultural property, 
chances are not much besides photos are necessary.  If your baseline drafter 
has plant ID skills, or someone else can do it, that could be incorporated.  
Some landowners are interested in knowing what's out there, others don't want to 
know for fear of finding something rare that might draw attention to them.  
Some landowners are interested in management options and some not.  I'd say it's 
a good idea to offer such notions and direct them to resources that could 
help (NRCS, DNR, etc.).  It depends if the grantee has budget to go the extra 
step with species ID, management, etc.  I would generally say more is better, but 
the easement probably limits or prohibits division, construction, land 
surface alteration, clearcutting, commercial and industrial activity, etc., so it's 
most important to document the state of the property at the time of conveyance 
to monitor and enforce those provisions.  All else is icing.

I don't think most conservancies record baselines, although the federal Farm 
and Ranchlands Protection Program now requires it.  It's more pages and hence 
more recording cost, and some counties may not have the capacity to record 
photographs.  It's probably good practice if you're willing to pay the fees 
(which is not huge) and it's feasible, but it is a snapshot that will change over 
time.  If all known copies of the baseline are lost, it would be a source to 
recover information.  I think updating baselines with fresh photos every five 
years is also a good idear.

Barry Lonik


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