(1) The department may purchase or otherwise acquire conservation easements in accordance with subpart 11 of part 21. A conservation easement purchased or otherwise acquired under this section may contain provisions for the allowable or required use of the land subject to the conservation easement, implementation of conservation practices on the land, maintenance of the conservation practices, opportunities for inspection of the land, penalties for noncompliance with the terms of the conservation easement, termination of the easement, and other terms agreed to by the department.

  (2) If the department purchases or acquires a conservation easement under this section, the department shall record that conservation easement with the register of deeds for the county in which the land subject to the conservation easement is located. If that conservation easement is subsequently terminated, the department shall record a notice of that termination with the register of deeds for the county in which the land subject to the conservation easement is located.

  (3) The department may enter into contracts with 1 or more persons to monitor and enforce the terms of conservation easements purchased or acquired under subsection (1).