(a) Whenever any entity exercises the power of eminent domain to acquire land subject to an agricultural conservation easement under this program, the condemnor shall pay just compensation to the owner of the land in fee and to the owner of the easement as follows:
(1) The owner of the land in fee shall be paid the full value that would have been payable to the owner but for the existence of the easement less the fair market value of the easement, as determined by an independent appraisal, at the time of condemnation.
(2) The program, and any other contributing parties if so provided in the easement, shall be paid the value of the easement at the time of condemnation.
(b) The director may provide, by regulation, or, pursuant to the terms of the easement, that in the case of acquisition of the easement by a federal agency, that the agency shall agree to the amount of compensation paid for the easement that is determined pursuant to subdivision (a), or pay the current fair market value of the land subject to an agricultural easement. The director shall distribute the proceeds of a land sale that is made in accordance with the conditions set forth in subdivision (a).
(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 616, Sec. 24. Effective January 1, 2003.)