Acquisition Project Toolkit for
Grant Sponsors
Project sponsors involved in acquisition of real property in any RCO grant program can use the information here to help successfully complete their project.
Buying a Property Without a Signed Contract with RCO?
You will need a “Waiver of Retroactivity” if you plan to purchase real property before having a signed RCO grant contract in hand. You must submit your request before closing on the property, preferably at least 30 days in advance. See Section 2 of Manual 3 for more information.
What Documents are Required at the Time of a Grant Application?
All RCO grant applications for acquisition projects must provide a signed RCO Landowner Acknowledgement Form for each property proposed for acquisition.
Grant applications to any category in the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program must include documentation that the local jurisdiction where the property is located was notified about the proposed grant application. Here is a Sample letter that meets this requirement.
General Steps for Implementing an RCO Acquisition Project
Below are resources that will help you stay organized and make sure you meet RCO grant requirements.
- Common Things that Need RCO Approval
- RCO Acquisition Projects Quick Step Guide
- RCO Acquisition Project Deliverables
- RCO Acquisition Project Metrics in PRISM
Required Documentation for Each Acquisition
RCO requires certain documents for each acquisition of real property. Follow the Acquisition Procedures Checklist to make sure you comply with RCO’s requirements. Below are specific tools that you can use to meet the requirements on the checklist.
- RCO Preliminary Title Report and Commitment Checklist
- Example “Voluntary Acquisition Notice to Owner”
- Example “Just Compensation and Relocation Notice to Seller”
- RCO Appraisal Instructions
- RCO Review Appraisal Instructions
- Example Landowner Donation Statement
- RCO Hazardous Substances Certification Form
- RCO SRFB Stewardship Plan Outline
- RCO WWRP Stewardship Plan Outline
- Example Stewardship Plan for Salmon Recovery Funding Board or Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program
- Example Conservation Area Management Plan with Allowable Uses on the Property
- Example Deed of Right Map
Specific Resources for Acquiring Habitat and Salmon Recovery Conservation Easements
RCO requires certain elements to be incorporated into any habitat or salmon recovery conservation easement. In addition, if the landowner has a lien or mortgage on the property, RCO will require a subordination agreement from the lender. RCO also requires a baseline inventory for each conservation easement. Below are RCO’s requirements and examples for conservation easements and baseline inventory reports.
- RCO Conservation Easement Requirements
- Example Subordination Terms and Agreement
- RCO Baseline Inventory Requirements
- RCO Baseline Inventory Outline
Resources to Use for Acquiring Farmland Conservation Easements
RCO requires all farmland conservation easements to follow a template. There are two different templates depending upon if you are partnering with a land trust in the easement. If the landowner has a lien or mortgage on the property, RCO will require a subordination agreement from the lender. RCO also requires a baseline Inventory for each conservation easement. Below are RCO’s requirements and examples for farmland conservation easements and baseline inventory reports.
- RCO Farmland Easement Template with Land Trust as Co-Grantee
- RCO Farmland Easement Template with Land Trust as Third Party
- RCO Baseline Inventory Requirements