The LCC will evaluate lands which have been nominated for the county to acquire under the newly-adopted Clay Forests and Farms Conservation Land Program (FFCLP). This program aims to protect lands within Clay County that house vital resources like wildlife habitats, drinking water sources, and working forests and farms.

The county will acquire the land by purchasing ownership, or by purchasing a conservation easement, which permanently limits development of the property in exchange for compensation to the owner. Any nominated property must have a willing seller. (No property is ever condemned or “taken” through FFCLP.)

The LCC will rank properties according to the program’s conservation goals, and then make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) for each property.

The LCC will also make suggestions on how to manage and maintain the land moving forward, to ensure future success.