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Understanding the Conservation Easement We have received many calls regarding the conservation easement in Four Seasons Beaumont. is message aims to clarify what a conservation easement is, who owns it, and the permitted activities within this area. Definition and Ownership A conservation easement is a voluntary, permanent legal agreement in which a landowner, currently K. Hovnanian, restricts future development of the property to preserve its natural, scenic, agricultural, or historic features. While K. Hovnanian retains ownership, the landowner typically grants development rights to a qualified organization — such as the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District (IERCD) — which monitors the property to uphold conservation values. is arrangement oen provides a tax benefit to the landowner. In our situation, K. Hovnanian is the landowner, but the easement is not managed by the IERCD or any other entity at present. Impact on the Association e conservation easement does not affect our Association's activities. We continue to have access to Trails A and B, while K. Hovnanian maintains the buffer zones along these trails. e buffer zone is located on the side of the trail adjacent to the wire fence that separates the trail from the conservation easement. Ongoing Discussions and Next Steps e Board of Directors is actively engaged with K. Hovnanian regarding the property. Before the transition of the easement can occur, agreement is required among several parties: the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Association, and K. Hovnanian. In December, Barry Ginnetti, Eric Zarr, Lynne Cesario, and I met with representatives from the City of Beaumont Code Enforcement, Cal Fire, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and K. Hovnanian. Prior to the meeting, attendees walked Trail A to view the conservation easement. e subsequent discussion laid the groundwork for further conversations about transferring the property. By the end of the meeting, all parties had a clear understanding of the conservation easement, what maintenance activities are permitted (such as cutting back growth), and who is authorized to access the area. Future Plans and Responsibilities e long-term plan is for the property to be signed over to the Association. Upon transfer, both the Association and K. Hovnanian will establish an endowment to be held in perpetuity, to fund management of the conservation easement by the IERCD. e specific amount of the endowment is still to be determined. ere remains significant work to ensure K. Hovnanian brings the conservancy up to the required standard before the Association and IERCD will accept ownership. Until these conditions are met, the Board of Directors will continue to advocate for the best interests of the Association. More updates will follow as this process continues. e Board of Directors meets for the General Session the second ursday of each month at 1 pm in the Ballroom. Meet with the Board, however, is a less formal gathering held the third Wednesday of each month at 2 pm in the Ballroom. is forum allows Board members to engage in conversation with residents on almost any subject except issues under litigation or topics discussed in Executive Board sessions. Several members of the Board attend each month. If you have any questions, please contact me at (714) 722-1301 or kathycravenbod@yahoo.com. FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JANUARY 2026 5 Message from the Board By Kathy Craven, Board Vice President UPDATE ON THE FOUR SEASONS BEAUMONT CONSERVATION EASEMENT H A P P Y N E W Y E A R !