In this chapter:

1. (1) "Conservation easement" means a nonpossessory interest of a holder in real property that imposes limitations or affirmative obligations designed to:

   1. (A) retain or protect natural, scenic, or open-space values of real property or assure its availability for agricultural, forest, recreational, or open-space use;
   2. (B) protect natural resources;
   3. (C) maintain or enhance air or water quality; or
   4. (D) preserve the historical, architectural, archeological, or cultural aspects of real property.

2. (2) "Holder" means:

   1. (A) a governmental body empowered to hold an interest in real property under the laws of this state or the United States; or

   2. (B) a charitable corporation, charitable association, or charitable trust created or empowered to:

      1. (i) retain or protect the natural, scenic, or open-space values of real property;
      2. (ii) assure the availability of real property for agricultural, forest, recreational, or open-space use;
      3. (iii) protect natural resources;
      4. (iv) maintain or enhance air or water quality; or
      5. (v) preserve the historical, architectural, archeological, or cultural aspects of real property.
3. (3) "Third-party right of enforcement" means a right provided in a conservation easement to enforce any of its terms granted to a governmental body, charitable corporation, charitable association, or charitable trust that is eligible to be a holder but is not a holder.
4. (4) "Servient estate" means the real property burdened by the conservation easement.

Added by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 2438, ch. 434, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983.