64.04.130 - Interests in land for purposes of conservation, protection, preservation, etc. -- Ownership by certain entities -- Conveyances.

Interests in land for purposes of conservation, protection, preservation, etc. — Ownership by certain entities — Conveyances.

A development right, easement, covenant, restriction, or other right, or any interest less than the fee simple, to protect, preserve, maintain, improve, restore, limit the future use of, or conserve for open space purposes, any land or improvement on the land, whether the right or interest be appurtenant or in gross, may be held or acquired by any state agency, federal agency, county, city, town, or metropolitan municipal corporation, nonprofit historic preservation corporation, or nonprofit nature conservancy corporation. Any such right or interest shall constitute and be classified as real property. All instruments for the conveyance thereof shall be substantially in the form required by law for the conveyance of any land or other real property.

     As used in this section, "nonprofit nature conservancy corporation" means an organization which qualifies as being tax exempt under 26 U.S.C. section 501(c)(3) (of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended) as it existed on June 25, 1976, and which has as one of its principal purposes the conducting or facilitating of scientific research; the conserving of natural resources, including but not limited to biological resources, for the general public; or the conserving of natural areas including but not limited to wildlife or plant habitat.

     As used in this section, "nonprofit historic preservation corporation" means an organization which qualifies as being tax exempt under 26 U.S.C. section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended, and which has as one of its principal purposes the conducting or facilitating of historic preservation activities within the state, including conservation or preservation of historic sites, districts, buildings, and artifacts.

[1987 c 341 § 1; 1979 ex.s. c 21 § 1.]

Notes:Acquisition of open space, land, or rights to future development by certain entities: RCW 84.34.200 through 84.34.250.

Property tax exemption for conservation futures on agricultural land: RCW 84.36.500.