The Virginia Outdoors Foundation has agreed to act as a mediator in a property rights dispute between a Fauquier County farmer and the Piedmont Environmental Council.
Depending on the outcome, some farmers say the case could have a negative impact on the state's conservation easements program and create a hostile environment between landowners and government entities.
Martha Boneta says her family purchased the 64-acre Liberty Farm with a conservation easement and restored it to a thing of beauty. PEC’s role was to inspect and enforce the easement. But she says for eight years, the PEC has harassed her, performed invasive inspections, placed unnecessary restrictions on her farm, and refuses to provide documentation or a justifiable cause for the intrusions. But Turner Broughton, who represents the PEC, says those statements are overblown.
Roughly 100 supporters from around the state filled the room to speak on Boneta’s behalf. Some say they witnessed bullying tactics—or were themselves harassed—by the PEC. After this testimony, the Foundation agreed to a review and to consider becoming the easement’s sole enforcer. Boneta says it's a great first step.
The Virginia Outdoors Foundation did not say when it will make a decision and what PEC’s role will be until then.