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proposals and parcels, at least 50 percent of the weight is based on the National criteria. The remaining weight is based on State criteria contained in the State FPP plan, LESA system, or a similar land evaluation system approved by the State conservationist. Priority also is given to: • Easements or other interests in land that provide permanent protection from conversion to non - agricultural use-(note: conservation easements are preferable to fee title acquisition); • Easements acquired by entities that have extensive experience in managing and enforcing easements, adequate staff to manage stewardship responsibilities, and sufficient oversight requirements; • Lands and locations that link to other Federal, Tribal, State, local, or non- governmental organizations' efforts with complementary farmland protection objectives (e.g., open space, watershed and wildlife protection); • Lands that provide special social, economic, and environmental benefits to the region; and • Geographic regions where the enrollment of particular lands may help achieve National, State, and regional goals and objectives. Cooperative Agreements Once selected, entities work with the appropriate NRCS State conservationist to finalize and sign cooperative agreements, incorporating all necessary FPP requirements. A cooperative agreement is the legal contract with which the Federal government establishes partnerships with the entities. The cooperative agreement: • Identifies the easement holder; • Includes management and enforcement responsibilities by the easement holder and MRCS; • Includes a reversionary clause regarding the Federal government's rights to the land if FPP Program Description p" the easement holder fails to manage the easement; • Contains conservation plan requirements for highly erodible land; and • Includes indemnification language releasing NRCS from any fiscal responsibilities, such as costs, damages, claims, liabilities, and judgements incurred by the landowner or cooperating entity. Conservation Easements In exchange for payment, participating landowners agree not to convert their land to non - agricultural uses and to develop and implement a conservation plan for any highly erodible land. Landowners are paid fair market value. The fair market value of conservation easements is determined using standard real property appraisal methods. The conveyance document (e.g., conservation easement deed) used by the eligible entity must be reviewed and approved by the NRCS National office before being recorded. Since title to the easement is held by an entity other than the United States, the conveyance document must contain a clause that all rights conveyed by the landowner under the document will become vested in the United States should the cooperating entity (i.e., the grantee) abandon or attempt to terminate the conservation easement. For More Information If you need more information about FPP, please contact your local USDA Service Center, listed in the telephone book under U.S. Department of Agriculture, or your local conservation district. Information also is available on the World Wide Web at: http: / /www.nres.usda '.gov /programs /farmbill/ 2002/ �.+ Visit USDA on the Web at: ° °��qr•'v http: //www.usda.gov /farmbill age 4