Did you know that the incentive to private landowners for placing a conservation easement on their property is set to expire at the end of 2009? These incentives provide a significant tax benefit for forward-thinking landowners who protect their private lands from future development. The Congressional Sportsman's Foundation (CSF) and the Land Trust Alliance have hosted meetings for the 111th Congress in July to encourage legislators to support the Conservation Easement incentive. Representative Mike Thompson and Representative Eric Cantor are the lead sponsors of H.R. 1831, a bill that would make the tax incentives permanent, and so far they have 139 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives. The purpose of the bill is to protect the incentives fro private landowners so that they can better manage their land for open space and wildlife for the benefit of future generations. Safari Club International (SCI) has joined the discussion by stating this type of legislation ensures the future of hunting and fishing across the country. Lowcountryoutdoors.com believes that South Carolina in particular would benefit from the establishment of a permanent Conservation Easement Incentive.
To view past blog entries about the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation click here.
Photos By Jeff Dennis: Botany Bay Plantation is protected by a conservation easement that was donated by a former private landowner - path through a maritime forest and a lettered olive; the state seashell of South Carolina
As an active forest manager,I see the need for private forest landowners to come together and support the use of easements and the incentives, as the future of land conservation and preservation will come from these private holdings
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