(a) Purpose.

1. (1) In recognition of the high degree of interrelation between individual parcels of land in wetland ecosystems, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission administers a program for acquiring wetland conservation easements.
2. (2) By entering wetland conservation easements, the commission is able to maintain the hydrological relationships that are essential for preservation of the wetland ecosystem.

(b) Terms.

1. (1) The terms of wetland conservation easements are perpetual, but they may be less restrictive than those of conservation easements that dedicate land into the system of natural areas.
2. (2) Trees may be harvested, including commercial timber production, on a sustained yield basis, in accordance with a plan prepared in consultation with a registered forester and approved by the commission.
3. (3) No hydrologic modifications are allowed.

(c) Procedures.

1. (1) The commission issues a “Request for Written Proposal” advertisement in a statewide newspaper that identifies area of interest.
2. (2) Commission staff conducts an ecological assessment of each proposed tract.
3. (3) Proposals are rated based on ecological values for the ecosystem as identified in the “Request for Written Proposals” and related to the proposal’s cost per acre.
4. (4) Once the price per acre is established, it may be applied to other tracts of land within the same ecosystem project.