§195-6.5  Natural area partnership program. (a)  There is established in the department, a natural area partnership programto provide state funds on a two-for-one basis with private funds for themanagement of private lands that are dedicated to conservation.  Payments shallbe made from the natural area reserve fund with funds specifically appropriatedfor this purpose.

(b) In order to qualify under this program, anapplicant shall be a landowner or a cooperating entity of private land ofnatural area reserve quality and shall agree to:

(1)  Dedicate the private land in perpetuity throughtransfer of fee title or a conservation easement to the State or a cooperatingentity; provided that:

(A)  The dedication may be revoked if statefunding is terminated without the concurrence of the landowner and cooperatingentity; and

(B)  If a private landowner or cooperatingentity elects to withdraw from the program, the perpetual conservation easementshall remain in effect;

(2)  Have the private land managed by the cooperatingentity or qualified landowner according to a management plan prepared by thecooperating entity or landowner and approved by the board that meets thestandards established by the department for the system.  The management planshall include provisions to allow public hunting wherever feasible; providedthat:

(A)  Hunting activities shall be in compliancewith applicable laws; and

(B)  Game animals shall not be introduced toany partnership area and hunting shall be conducted as a conservation purposeof this program.

In-kind services such as heavy equipment andexisting sources of labor may be utilized as a portion of the privatecontribution in implementing the management plan;

(3)  A penalty payback provision in the event thelandowner or cooperating entity ceases to implement the approved managementplan, unless the board approves modifications to the plan or state funding isterminated;

(4)  Submit an annual report to the board detailingthe year's management accomplishments, areas needing technical advice, proposedmodifications to the plan, and objectives and budget for the coming year.  Tofacilitate the review, the department shall have the right to make inspectionsof the land after notifying the landowner; and

(5)  Any other conditions the department shall requireby rules adopted pursuant to chapter 91. [L 1991, c 326, pt of §1; am L1992, c 180, §2]