2001 S ERCD - Deed of Agricultural conservation easement Carl & Lucille Walters Sr

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The Grantors and Grantee agree that the current agricultural use of, and improvements to, the Property are consistent with the conservation purposes of this Easement. The Grantors intend that the conservation values of the Property be preserved and maintained, and further, Grantors intend to convey to the Grantee the right to preserve and protect the agricultural and other conservation values of the Property in perpetuity. The conservation purposes of this Easement are recognized by, and the grant of this Easement will serve, the following clearly delineated governmental conservation policies: The Farmland Protection Policy Act, P. L. 97 -98, 7 U.S.C. Section 4201, et seq., whose purpose is "to minimize the extent to which Federal programs and policies contribute to the unnecessary and irreversible conversion of farmland to nonagricultural uses, and to assure that Federal programs are administered in a manner that, to the extent practicable, will be compatible with State, unit of local government and private programs and policies to protect farmland; " North Carolina General Statute 139 -2 et seq. which provides that "it is hereby declared ...that the farm, forest and grazing lands of the State of North Carolina are among the basic assets of the State and the preservation of these lands is necessary to protect and promote the health, safety and general welfare of its people... it is hereby declared to be the policy of the legislature to provide for the conservation of the soil and resources of this State;" North Carolina General Statute 106 -583 et seq. which states that "It is declared to be the policy of the State of North Carolina to promote the efficient production and utilization of the products of the soil as essential to the health and welfare of our people and to promote a sound and prosperous agriculture and rural life as indispensable to the maintenance of maximum prosperity;" The State of North Carolina has authorized the creation of Conservation Easements pursuant to the terms of the North Carolina Conservation and Historic Preservation Agreements Act, N.C.G.S. 121 -34 et. seq., which provide for the enforceability of restrictions, easements, covenants or conditions "appropriate to retaining land or water areas predominantly in their natural, scenic or open condition or in agricultural, horticultural, farming, or forest uses," and which provides for tax assessment of lands subject to such agreements "on the basis of the true value of the land and improvements less any reduction in value caused by the agreement"; and the Grantors and Grantee wish to avail themselves of the provisions of that law. The Grantee is a body politic existing under Chapter 153A of the North Carolina General Statutes, and is qualified to hold Easements under the applicable laws of the State of North Carolina; 2 of 13