Conservation Easements Support Military Readiness at Hill Air Force Base

Compatible Lands Foundation has partnered with brothers Stuart Knowlton and Michael Knowlton, to permanently protect 7.47 acres in Layton, Utah, just south of Hill Air Force Base. Partnering with willing landowners like the Knowltons is a triple win: incompatible development that threatens military training activities is prevented, local conservation and working agriculture is supported, and landowners are compensated for placing the conservation easement on their property.

Hill Air Force Base (HAFB) covers over 7,000 acres and is the second largest base in the Air Force. HAFB is the home of the Air Force Materiel Command’s Ogden Air Logistics Complex which is the worldwide manager for a wide range of aircraft, engines, missiles, software, avionics, and accessories components. The Air Force’s latest generation fighter jets, F-35As, are stationed at HAFB along with the 75th Air Force Wing, to support wartime operations worldwide.

Funding for the conservation easement on the Knowlton land came from the Defense Department’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program, with support of the U.S. Air Force and HAFB. The REPI Program is a key tool for combating encroachment that can limit or restrict military training, testing, and operations. Installations like Hill partner with CLF to prevent incompatible development from hindering on-base activities. The tract is underneath the corridor where airplanes takeoff from the installation. CLF is working with other willing landowners in the area to purchase easements on similarly located tracts.

If you are interested in learning more about CLF or if your land is eligible for a conservation easement under the REPI program, please contact Dan Chapin, Director of Military Partnerships (dchapin@compatiblelands.org).

More information about the Compatible Lands Foundation can be found at www.compatiblelands.org.

Combined Federal Campaign Charity #: 23057