Co-operative Conservation

The CEHMM conservation fund/mitigation bank is an account that has been established for contributions to the CEHMM cooperative conservation program. The purpose of this account is to provide the means for private entities to contribute funds to specific conservation endeavors. This not only provides the opportunity for tax deductible contributions for conservation, but additionally allows an investor to dedicate each respective investment into the conservation program of their particular interest.

Areas of specific interest for conservation fund considerations include, but are not necessarily limited to:

* Lesser Prairie Chicken conservation and recovery (including captive propagation)
* Sand Dune Lizard conservation
* Riparian conservation
* Archeology/Paleontology
* General Wildlife Programs (e.g., wildlife watering units, conservation education)

Each investment can be dedicated to one or multiple conservation programs with a full accounting of disbursements to each respective investor. Additionally, investors are provided with an acknowledgement of receipt from CEHMM, as a 501© (3), for tax deduction purposes.

The CEHMM Conservation Fund is established to further education, interpretation, and on-the-ground conservation efforts in Southeastern New Mexico.

For further information, please contact Doug Lynn at 575-885-3700 or use the contact form below.

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Lesser Prairie-Chicken – Sand Dune Lizard Candidate Conservation Agreement (CCA) and Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA)
Frequently Asked Questions

What is a CCAA and why do I need it?
Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAAs) are voluntary conservation agreements between the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Center for Excellence (CEHMM), and private parties for activities on private or State land. Landowners, CEHMM and the USFWS will identify threats to candidate species, plan the measures needed to address the threats and conserve these species, develop agreements, design and implement conservation measures and monitor their effectiveness.

One of the primary reasons the USFWS developed the CCAA program is to address concerns by landowners about the potential regulatory implications of having a listed species on their land. The CCAA program is specifically targeted for non-Federal landowners/lease holders and provides them with the assurance that if they implement various conservation activities, they will not be subject to additional restrictions if the species becomes listed under the ESA. The assurances are only available for non-Federal entities for actions on non-Federal lands.

What is a CCA and why do I need it?
Candidate Conservation Agreements (CCAs) are voluntary conservation agreements between the USFWS, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), CEHMM, and private parties for actions (such as grazing or oil and gas development) occurring on Federal (BLM) land. The CCA applies to activities on Federal Land, and provides a high level of certainty that if parties implement conservation activities, they will not be subject to additional restrictions if the species becomes listed under the ESA.

How will I know if I have lesser prairie-chicken or sand dune lizard habitat on my property/lease?
Lesser prairie-chickens will be found in shinnery oak, sand sage and bluestem prairies (please reference handout for more information). Contact USFWS representatives, CEHMM, or the BLM to conduct a site visit.

Sand dune lizards will be found in shinnery oak dunes (please reference handout for more information). Contact the USFWS, CEHMM, or BLM to conduct a site visit.

If I do not have lesser prairie -chicken or sand dune lizard habitat do I need to participate?
If your property is located in suitable or occupied habitat for either species, or if your land/lease is adjacent to suitable or occupied habitat, you would benefit from a CCA or CCAA.

How will ranchers pay for practices that are agreed to in the CCA/CCAA?
Funds for conservation can come from CCA Conservation funds, USDA Conservation Programs, BLM Restore New Mexico Funds, Partners for Fish and Wildlife (USFWS), or other state, federal or non-government sources. The landowner is not expected to be the sole funding source for conservation.

How long do I have to complete conservation measures on my property?
The conservation measures must be completed, or progress should be made depending on the date agreed upon in the Certificate of Inclusion or Participation. There may be separate deadlines for funding agreements with other federal or state conservation programs.

What is the difference between “Enrolled Lands” and “Conservation Lands”?
Enrolled lands include any property for which the landowner/lease holder wants assurances. Conservation lands include all property where Conservation Measures are applied to benefit the lesser prairie-chicken or sand dune lizard.

How long are my assurances valid?
The assurances are valid for the term of the certificate of inclusion/participation, which is at minimum 5 years and can be renewed up to 20 years, as long as conservation practices are maintained.

Do I control access to my property?
YES. Site visits for surveys or monitoring will be arranged by the landowner prior to access on private lands.

What if I want to discontinue participation?
The CCA and CCAA are voluntary agreements and landowners/lease holders can choose to cancel at any time. Once the landowner/lease holder is not covered under the CCA/CCAA, they would no longer be guaranteed assurances if either species is listed under the Endangered Species Act.

Who should I contact for more information?

CEHMM :- Use the following contact form or contact Doug Lynn at (575) 885-3700

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