NC Passes Law to Protect Farms, Forests for Conservation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Will McDow, wmcdow@edf.org, 919-414-5293
Georgette Shepherd, gshepherd@edf.org, 919-881-2927
 
(Raleigh, NC - July 16, 2008) The NC General Assembly today gave final approval to House Bill 1889, which will give fair tax treatment to private landowners who manage their land for wildlife and conservation benefits. The bill passed the NC Senate on Monday, and the NC House concurred with a 107-4 vote this afternoon. 
 
Prior to the bill, private farm and forest landowners paid significantly higher property taxes when they managed their lands for conservation benefits. Reduced property taxes previously were available only to landowners who engaged in commercial agriculture, forestry or horticulture. House Bill 1889 will let landowners enroll property in a new classification to protect wildlife habitat.
 
The following statement may be attributed to Will McDow, policy analyst with Environmental Defense Fund:
 
“North Carolina leads the nation in the loss of farm land, and high tax bills can be a crucial factor in decisions to sell property. This bill removes the penalties on landowners who manage their lands for conservation benefits. It gives equitable tax treatment to landowners, whether they actively grow trees to be harvested and sold for timber, or use their land to protect wildlife and clean water. 
 
“Without property tax relief, many more landowners could be forced to sell their lands. This bill will keep more land in the hands of farm and forest owners and protect land for public benefits, including wildlife and water quality.”
 

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