Virginia currently has one of the most successful private voluntary land conservation programs in the nation. In 2005 alone, over 45,000 acres of land in Virginia were permanently conserved by conservation easements. General Assembly leaders have indicated their support for land conservation, but negotiations on the 2006-2008 Biennial Budget have resulted in a proposal in both the House and the Senate to severely cap the Virginia Land Preservation Tax Credit. Although several of the provisions in this bill are positive and necessary changes to the program, a number of these changes will negatively affect this program, which is doing more to protect Virginia’s natural resources for all citizens than any other program in the nation.
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News notes are courtesy of Southern Forests Network News Notes
www.southernsustainableforests.org