1. Wildlife Conservation Lands Program

2. Introduction
Legislation that recognizes wildlife conservation land as a special class of property that must be assessed at a reduced value
Signed into law in 2008
Effective January 1, 2010
Administered by NCWRC
Incorporates priorities from the NC Wildlife Action Plan

3. Program Structure
Modeled after the Present Use Value programs, but NOT one of them
Tax evaluation at agricultural PUV rate
Carries the same penalties as PUV programs

4. Benefits of WCLP
Provides deferred taxes for landowners whose management objectives are:
Conserving priority wildlife habitat
Providing habitat for protected species

5. Priority Habitats Longleaf pine forest Early successional habitat
Small wetland community
Stream and riparian zone
Rock outcrops
Bat caves

6. Conservation Recommendations for Priority Terrestrial
Wildlife Species and Habitats
in North Carolina

7. Longleaf Pine Forest (Ecosystem)
Longleaf dominant
Mixed stands acceptable
No maximum BA/density
Suitable ground cover
Native grasses, forbs, legumes
More important than % canopy
Active management
Prescribed fire (preferred), herbicides, and/or mechanical
Timber harvest acceptable
Must perpetuate longleaf and retain ground cover
Longleaf restoration acceptable
trees/ac
Managed for plant diversity during site prep and establishment
No pine straw raking

8. Early Successional Habitat
Mix of grasses, legumes, wildflowers, vines, shrubs, and saplings
At least 20% of ground cover must be grasses and forbs
Tree density ≤50 BA
Acceptable habitats
Abandoned farm fields, clear cuts, field borders, savannas, prairies, and meadows
Must be beneficial for wildlife
Active management
Frequent disturbance
Burning, disking, timber harvest, mowing, and/or herbicides
Not all open lands are acceptable
Fescue pastures, agricultural crops, lawns, golf courses, etc

9. Small Wetlands Hydric soils and hydrophilic vegetation
Presence of water on surface at least some portion of the year
Acceptable habitats
Vernal pools, upland seeps, ephemeral wetlands, beaver ponds, depression ponds, pocosins, Carolina bays, and bogs
Includes upland buffer for water quality and foraging/nesting needs
Active management
Controlling tree encroachment, protecting water quality, limiting ATV/recreation use, and/or proper installation of crossings/roads
No introduction of fish, bullfrogs, or other predatory species

10. Stream & Riparian Zones
Perennial or intermittent water body
Buffer width ft
From stream bank to edge of floodplain
Acceptable habitats
Riverine communities, floodplain forests, river basins, blue-line streams, springs, and seeps
Active management
Protecting water quality and associated upland habitat, exclusion of livestock, controlling invasive species, and/or promoting plant diversity and structure
No highly eroded areas

11. Rock Outcrops Forest canopy generally open with patchy understory
Rock dominates land surface
Lichens and mosses are characteristic
Acceptable habitats
Boulderfields, rocky summits, granitic flatrocks and domes, acidic and mafic cliffs, and talus slopes
Active management
Limiting recreational use, controlling tree/shrub encroachment, minimizing or eliminating human disturbance
Conservation easements strongly encouraged
No artificial rock piles

12. Bat Caves Subterranean caves/excavations Acceptable habitats
Must have documented use by aggregations of bats
Acceptable habitats
Solution caves, fissure caves, and rock shelter/boulder caves
Mining caves are acceptable
Must have shafts/tunnels that resemble natural caves (temp, humidity, structure, etc)
Includes entrance buffers
Active management
Reduction or elimination of human disturbance, gating cave entrances, and limiting habitat alterations around cave entrances
Survey required to confirm presence of bats

13. Priority Species Must document the presence of a protected species
Must “live on the land”
Must manage their land in a manner that protects the species and its habitat
WRC must approve the management

14. Protected Species
Photos courtesy of the USFWS

15. Acreage & Mgmt Qualifying acreage 20-100 contiguous acres
Within each county
Land managed for WCLP purposes for ≥3yrs prior to application or it must be enrolled in one of the PUV programs
Signed agreement and management plan/map

16. Ownership Property ownership of ≥5yrs prior to WCLP application
Property must be owned by individual, family business, or family trust
No publicly traded corporations
WCLP transfers with property if new owner files application with county within 60 days of land transfer

17. Application Process
Landowner submits the Application for Assistance to WRC
WRC conducts site visit to determine eligibility
WRC provides assistance to prepare the Wildlife Habitat Conservation Agreement

18. Application Process
Landowner submits the Wildlife Habitat Conservation Agreement and the tax assessment application to the county tax office
The county assessor will determine if the property qualifies for tax deferment

19. Components of the WCLA Landowner information
Tract location and Property Tax ID number
Priority habitat or species managed
Parcel acre and mgmt acre
Enrolled in PUV?
Tract map with aerial and mgmt acreage indicated
Planned mgmt actions

20. WRC Provided Assistance
Help landowner decide if WCLP is the right program for them
Help landowner understand the requirements of WCLP
Assist landowner with the documentation process (species and habitats)

21. WRC Provided Assistance
Assist landowner with the application process
Connect the landowner to the appropriate resources (WRC biologist, county tax office, private consultants, habitat or species specialists)

22. 1722 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1722
Contact Information
For additional information on the WCLP or for applications, contact the WRC at:
1722 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC