Tennessee Environmental Restriction Easement (WERE) is a legal agreement that aims to protect and preserve the natural resources and environmental quality in the state of Tennessee. It is a voluntary program that encourages landowners to commit to specific environmental restrictions on their property in exchange for various benefits and incentives. WERE serves as a conservation tool to prevent detrimental activities that could harm ecosystems, wildlife habitats, water quality, and other fragile environmental features. It helps promote sustainable land use practices and ensures the long-term conservation of Tennessee's natural beauty and resources. There are several types of Tennessee Environmental Restriction Easements: 1. Conservation Easement: This type of easement focuses on protecting open space, forests, farmland, or ecologically significant areas from development or harmful practices. It prohibits activities that could degrade the natural habitat or impair the ecological balance. 2. Historic Preservation Easement: This easement is designed to preserve historical buildings, structures, or archaeological sites. It prevents alterations or modifications that could compromise the historical integrity of the property. 3. Scenic Easement: Scenic easements protect the aesthetic values of Tennessee's landscapes, such as scenic vistas, roadways, or natural landmarks. They restrict actions that could diminish the scenic beauty or obstruct the views. 4. Riparian Easement: Riparian easements focus on protecting water bodies and their associated vegetation and wildlife habitats. They prevent activities that could contribute to erosion, sedimentation, or contamination of water resources, such as construction near waterways or excessive use of fertilizers near streams. 5. Conservation Right of First Refusal: This type of easement allows a qualified organization or agency to acquire the property if the landowner decides to sell. It ensures that the property is not sold for development purposes but rather remains under conservation management. Tennessee Environmental Restriction Easements are crucial in safeguarding the state's natural treasures, supporting wildlife habitats, preserving historical sites, and maintaining scenic beauty for future generations. They provide landowners an opportunity to be stewards of the environment and contribute to the broader conservation goals of Tennessee.