19-0610 3.X I03-E3, Confirmation of Proposed Land Trust - CERCA
Question:
CERCA standards and practices + CLT standards and practices
Answer:
Although the Cowichan Estuary Restoration & Conservation Association (CERCA) is actively working to restore the Cowichan Estuary, it is not clear that it meets the requirements of I03-E3 Local Land Trusts. Specifically, it does not appear that CERCA is a land trust, nor does it appear that CERCA protects land in perpetuity at the same level that would be provided by a land trust. However, ILFI recognizes that conservation organizations such as CERCA play a key role in advocating for and participating in projects related to the protection of critical ecosystems such as the Cowichan Estuary. Therefore, the following volunteer-hour based Exceptions are being expanded to allow for volunteer hours with such conservation organizations:
In lieu of a financial contribution, the owner or an immediate family member may volunteer a minimum of 100 volunteer hours during the duration of project design, construction and performance period with an approved land trust that is actively responsible for the purchase and/or permanent easement, as well as ongoing stewardship, of conservation tracts of land in excess of 100 acres. Alternatively, volunteer hours may occur with a nonprofit conservation organization with similar goals of an approved land trust, even if the conservation organization is not responsible for permanent easement of land. Any such conservation organizations that do not meet the definition of approved land trusts must be approved through the Dialogue prior to certification.
The owner must provide official records from the land trust or nonprofit conservation organization documenting the volunteer’s name as well as the dates and hours of work. Owners who use this Exception do not need to provide any of the Basic Documentation typically required to meet this Imperative.
In lieu of a financial contribution, small non-profit organizations (non-profits) may volunteer a minimum of 200 hours with an approved land trust during the project design, construction and performance period. Alternatively, volunteer hours may occur with a separate nonprofit conservation organization with similar goals of an approved land trust, even if the conservation organization is not responsible for permanent easement of land. Any such conservation organizations that do not meet the definition of approved land trusts must be approved through the Dialogue prior to certification.
- Shall be the greater of 200 hours, or 5 hours per full time equivalent (FTE) of the non-profit.
- May be accumulated by immediate members of the non-profit community, including employees, board members, or direct recipients of the non-profit’s services (such as students or clients).
I03-a Technical Documentation.