edward
09-29-2009, 09:52 PM
Recent experiences with some of the legislation below and my recent attendance at an educational seminar on rural preservation and farmland protection have heightened my awareness for the increased need for participation in community government by horsemen at the local, regional and federal level. These recent experiences are reinforcing what I already knew, to preserve places for horses in our communities, horsemen must participate in community planning and legislative processes. If we are not represented in a representative democracy, our issues will not be considered.
There is some federal legislation important to land owners, which deserves your attention and action. The enhanced tax deduction for conservation easement donations has helped America’s land trusts work with farm owners, ranchers and other modest-income landowners to increase the pace of land conservation by at least 250,000 acres a year. However, unless Congress acts, this important conservation tool will expire at the end of December.
Help secure support in the House of Representatives for the Conservation Easement Incentive Act (H.R. 1831) and in the Senate, for the Rural Heritage Conservation Act (S. 812). Both bills make the easement incentive permanent. As of this writing, 224 Representatives and 27 Senators have already signed on as co-sponsors. We are making good progress, but need a little more help from horsemen on this issue. You can reach your Member of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Ask to speak with the staffer who handles tax issues and tell them you would like your elected official to co-sponsor the appropriate bill named above.
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and Transportation Enhancements (TE) are expected to continue as is for now. RTP and TE are funded through SAFETEA-LU, which expires on September 30, 2009; an extension is expected. Thanks to all who made calls to their elected officials a couple weeks ago, we were able to successfully fend off the recent amendments, which would have wiped out TE funding. The US Department of Transportation proposed to extend the current authorization (with no policy changes) for 18 months.
Another bill worthy of support by equestrians is the Complete America's Great Trails Act (H.R.1912) that was introduced by Representative Gerry E. Connolly (D-VA) and Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). This bill would create a new tax credit for private landowners who grant a conservation easement to a National Scenic Trail (NST), which crosses their property. If enacted, this tax credit will provide an incentive for landowners to establish easements and complete NSTs. Trail easements such as these will open many more miles of NSTs to the public and users of NSTs will be assured access to those portions of NSTs.
In other news, we are expecting a busy year-end with presentations scheduled at the Land Trust Alliance’s Rally! in Portland, OR and at the US Eventing Association’s Convention in Reston, VA. Come see us!
Stay in touch with the latest on horse land and trail issues (best management practices for the farm, sustainable trail building, equine economic development and liability issues) on our website and at the Equine Land Conservation Resource’s Facebook page.
Thanks for being a part of this very important work. The future scope of the equine industry and equestrian lifestyle is at stake.
Sincerely,
Deb Balliet
Chief Executive Officer
Equestrian Land Conservation Resource
There is some federal legislation important to land owners, which deserves your attention and action. The enhanced tax deduction for conservation easement donations has helped America’s land trusts work with farm owners, ranchers and other modest-income landowners to increase the pace of land conservation by at least 250,000 acres a year. However, unless Congress acts, this important conservation tool will expire at the end of December.
Help secure support in the House of Representatives for the Conservation Easement Incentive Act (H.R. 1831) and in the Senate, for the Rural Heritage Conservation Act (S. 812). Both bills make the easement incentive permanent. As of this writing, 224 Representatives and 27 Senators have already signed on as co-sponsors. We are making good progress, but need a little more help from horsemen on this issue. You can reach your Member of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Ask to speak with the staffer who handles tax issues and tell them you would like your elected official to co-sponsor the appropriate bill named above.
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and Transportation Enhancements (TE) are expected to continue as is for now. RTP and TE are funded through SAFETEA-LU, which expires on September 30, 2009; an extension is expected. Thanks to all who made calls to their elected officials a couple weeks ago, we were able to successfully fend off the recent amendments, which would have wiped out TE funding. The US Department of Transportation proposed to extend the current authorization (with no policy changes) for 18 months.
Another bill worthy of support by equestrians is the Complete America's Great Trails Act (H.R.1912) that was introduced by Representative Gerry E. Connolly (D-VA) and Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). This bill would create a new tax credit for private landowners who grant a conservation easement to a National Scenic Trail (NST), which crosses their property. If enacted, this tax credit will provide an incentive for landowners to establish easements and complete NSTs. Trail easements such as these will open many more miles of NSTs to the public and users of NSTs will be assured access to those portions of NSTs.
In other news, we are expecting a busy year-end with presentations scheduled at the Land Trust Alliance’s Rally! in Portland, OR and at the US Eventing Association’s Convention in Reston, VA. Come see us!
Stay in touch with the latest on horse land and trail issues (best management practices for the farm, sustainable trail building, equine economic development and liability issues) on our website and at the Equine Land Conservation Resource’s Facebook page.
Thanks for being a part of this very important work. The future scope of the equine industry and equestrian lifestyle is at stake.
Sincerely,
Deb Balliet
Chief Executive Officer
Equestrian Land Conservation Resource