The Community Services Department Environmental Division, Natural Resources Section, monitors the natural wealth of El Paso County Colorado. To learn more about the natural characteristics and features of El Paso County view the link below.
Conservation Easements
A conservation easement (CE) is a voluntary agreement that allows landowners to restrict the type of development on their property while retaining private ownership of the land. By granting a CE a landowner can ensure that the property will be protected in perpetuity, regardless of ownership. The landowner may also receive an income tax deduction for the CE. El Paso County is a Certified Conservation Easement Holder under the State of Colorado, Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Real Estate, Conservation Easement Program. The El Paso County Environmental Division is responsible to ensure that the 32 CEs, totaling over 2,500 acres remain in compliance with the conservation values.
Wetlands
A wetland is a land area that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, such that it takes on the characteristics of a distinct ecosystem. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other land forms or water bodies is the characteristic vegetation of aquatic plants, adapted to the unique hydric soil. The Environmental Division monitors the restoration, enhancement, establishment and protection of wetlands in El Paso County.
Threatened and Endangered Species
The purpose of the Endangered Species Act (Act), passed by Congress in 1973, is to prevent the extinction of native and foreign animals and plants. The Environmental Division monitors activities affecting protected species ensuring the required clearances, permitting and mitigation of unavoidable impacts.
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Stated most simply, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA), codified at 16 U.S.C. §§ 703 – 712 (MBTA), is a law that protects birds from people. “The MBTA provides that it is unlawful to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, possess, sell, purchase, barter, import, export, or transport any migratory bird, or any part, nest, or egg or any such bird, unless authorized under a permit issued by the Secretary of the Interior. Some regulatory exceptions apply. Take is defined in regulations as: ‘pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect.’ The Environmental Division monitors projects for potential migratory bird issues.
Contact Information
Natural Resources
Nancy Prieve
nancyprieve@elpasoco.com
719-520-7845