Orange County NC Website
38 <br />CONSERVATION TRUST ( FOR NORTH CAROLINA <br />March 12, 1997 <br />Mr. William L. Crowther <br />Chairman, Board of County Commissioners <br />orange County <br />PO Box 8181 <br />Hillsborough, NC 27278 -8181 <br />Dear Mr. Crowther: <br />we request support by the orange County Commissioners for proposed state <br />legislation co- sponsored by your district's senator Ellie Kinnaird, which will <br />increase the financial incentives for private landowners who donate land or <br />interest in land for public - interest conservation purposes. As the attached <br />"fact sheet" explains this amendment will increase the state income tax credit <br />for land and conservation easement donations from the current $25,000 cap to <br />$100,000 for individuals and $250,000 for corporations. Orange County's open <br />space protection initiatives will benefit from the increased state income tax <br />incentive and inducement for gifts of conservation and recreational lands. <br />The companion bills introduced in both the State senate and House will <br />(1) increase the state income tax credits as an incentive for donating <br />conservation lands and easements (as recommended by the NC Coastal Futures <br />Commission, the NC Year of the Mountains commission, and the NC General <br />Assembly's Environmental Review commission in the 1996 and 1997 sessions); and <br />(2) would establish a small grant -in -aid program within the NC Department of <br />Environment, Health, and Natural Resources to qualified private land <br />conservation organizations to defray costs of arranging and receiving donated <br />lands /easements and to help establish a network of protected riparian buffers, <br />greenways and natural areas. <br />The bills have wide bipartisan support and no indication of opposition. <br />Representatives of the NC Association of county Commissions have indicated <br />their support. The bills have not yet been scheduled for committee hearings. <br />we believe that passage of these bills will be a major advantage for <br />local governments and land conservation organizations across the state, in <br />promoting and encouraging nonregulatory means to protect important natural <br />areas, riparian corridors, greenways, local parks and recreational areas, and <br />other conservation lands. This legislation will be a most helpful supplement <br />to the state's new Clean water Management Trust Fund, Parks and Recreation <br />Trust Fund, and Natural Heritage Trust Fund by promoting more donations of <br />land and helping,with conservation education, planning, and costs of arranging <br />gifts of land. <br />we ask for your county Commission's support for this proposal and ask <br />that you express that endorsement to your state General Assembly delegation. <br />Please call me if you want more explanation. <br />sincerely, <br />IL <br />Ja <br />Charles Roe, <br />CTNC Executive Director <br />cc: Marvin Collins, Planning Director <br />enclosures <br />POST OFFICE BOX 33333 - RALEIGH, NC 27636 -3333 - PHONE 919-828 -4199 - R-CX 919 -828 -4508 - EMML anc @mindspring.com <br />