West Virginia Code Chapter 5B. Economic Development Act of 1985 § 5B-2G-9. Grants for land conservation; application; criteria

(1) That interests in real property acquired with a grant from the fund result in a permanent conveyance of such interests in real property from the owner to the eligible grant recipient or its assigns; and

(2) That it may be in the owner's interest to retain independent legal counsel, appraisals and other professional advice.

The application shall contain an affirmation that the notice requirement of this subsection has been met.

(1) Unique or important wildlife habitat as specified in the State Wildlife Conservation Action Plan;

(2) Habitat for rare, threatened or endangered species;

(3) A relatively undisturbed or outstanding example of an ecosystem or natural community indigenous to West Virginia;

(4) An important area for public hunting, fishing or other outdoor recreational uses;

(5) Important recreation lands or important habitats identified in county comprehensive plans;

(6) Riparian habitats, wetlands, water quality, watersheds of significant ecological value or critical aquifer recharge areas;

(7) Forest land or working land that has strategic economic significance;

(8) A larger area containing conserved lands or as a connection between conserved lands;

(9) Land of unique cultural, historical or archaeological significance;

(10) Degree of threat to land; and

(11) The number of acres of land to be conserved.

(1) The degree to which the proposal leverages grants from the fund by including funding or in-kind assets or services from other governmental sources; and

(2) The degree to which the proposal leverages grants from the fund by including funding or in-kind assets or services from private or nonprofit sources or charitable donations, including bargain sales of interests in real property for conservation purposes;