(1) (a) A grantor may terminate an easement, in whole or in part, only by filing an action in the Franklin Circuit Court, and demonstrating by clear and convincing evidence that conditions on or surrounding the land subject to an agricultural conservation easement have changed so much that agriculture is no longer viable and it has become impossible to fulfill any of the easement’s conservation purposes. The grantor shall name the PACE Corporation as the defendant in the action.
(b) In the event that a finding is made by the court that a portion of the land subject to the agricultural conservation easement is no longer suitable for agricultural purposes, the owner shall, at the owner’s expense, provide a survey of the land area on which the agricultural conservation easement is to be terminated.

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Terms Used In Kentucky Statutes 262.918

  • Action: includes all proceedings in any court of this state. See Kentucky Statutes 446.010
  • Appraisal: A determination of property value.
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Corporation: may extend and be applied to any corporation, company, partnership, joint stock company, or association. See Kentucky Statutes 446.010
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Grantor: The person who establishes a trust and places property into it.
  • Owner: when applied to any animal, means any person having a property interest in such animal. See Kentucky Statutes 446.010

(2) (a) No agricultural conservation easement or portion thereof which has been purchased with Commonwealth funds shall be terminated by the court except upon payment by the grantor to the PACE Corporation of its then fair value. The value of the easement shall be established by one of the following two methods, as determined by the court:
1. The owner shall pay the PACE Corporation an amount equal in current dollars to the full cost of acquiring and monitoring the easement during its full duration, plus reasonable interest as determined by court; or
2. The owner shall pay the PACE Corporation an amount equal to the easement’s current market value as determined by independent appraisal, performed at the owner’s expense and satisfactory to the Commonwealth.
(b) The PACE Corporation shall place the proceeds from the termination of the easement in the agricultural enhancement fund and use the proceeds consistent with the purposes of KRS § 262.900 to KRS § 262.920.
Effective: July 15, 1994
History: Created 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 390, sec. 28, effective July 15, 1994.