Ejido Lands – Communal and Private

Ejidos are communal land grant towns. Ejidal lands are categorized as private parcels or common use lands. Conservation easement negotiations are divided according to the ejido land category. All ejido members participate in structuring a common use land conservation easement. Additionally, all ejido members retain an
interest in common use lands, even if they are owners of individual parcels. Discussions related to private parcels are conducted with the respective owners and the legal con-servation structure is unique to each parcel.

Under the terms and conditions of a conservation easement, a management plan is created indicating proper and improper uses for three main distinct zones:

• Conservation Zones. - Areas of high environmental value such as wetlands, beaches, or arroyos. Land use and development in this area is highly restricted.
• Buffer Zones. - Areas bordering Conservation Zones and have intermediate environmental value. Land use and development is permitted according to the terms and conditions of the conservation agreement.
• Sustainable Use Zones. - Areas of intermediate to low environmental value or areas that have been identified in the legal conservation agreement for a specific use. Examples are the urban center and aquaculture project sites.