Agenda - 08-19-2010 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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10 Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities Right to farm polices can reduce nuisance lawsuits in areas with increasing non - agricultural populations. Larimer County, Colorado, adopted a Right to Farm and Ranch policy in 1998, protecting the rights of farmers and ranchers to use the land. Because farmers or foresters face a lower tax burden when they are taxing at current use, working the land remains more economically viable for the landowner. Currently, Washington has more than 11 million acres enrolled in current use value taxation.10 Tax credits for conservation Tax incentives for donating conservation easements can motivate a landowner to remain on the land. Fed- eral, state, and local governments can grant tax credits for land donation or conservation easements. Colo- rado has a tax credit system in place that provides the donor of a conservation easement a state income -tax credit of one -half the dollar value of the land under easement, up to an annual maximum of $375,000.11 Right to farm policies Nuisance lawsuits, based on complaints from neigh- bors or strict local policies, seek to curtail normal farming activities. Right to farm ordinances and laws protect farmers, ranchers, and foresters by preventing these lawsuits from succeeding in court. In response to an increase in the non - agricultural population and new tensions that were arising and threatening local agriculture, Larimer County, Colorado, established a Right to Farm and Ranch policy in 1998. State and county laws protect the rights of farmers, stating that as long as farms and ranches are operating within regulations, they cannot be considered nuisances. 12 Renewable energy development13 Renewable energy development on rural lands pro- vides an opportunity for farmers, ranchers, and forest- ers to increase the profits from their land, giving them an additional economic incentive to keep working lands working. The 2007 Census of Agriculture found 23,451 farms generated energy on- site.14 Here are some of the approaches they are using: 1. Some lands are suitable for wind energy develop- ment, and landowners may be able to capitalize on the opportunity to enter the energy market while still maintaining the traditional use of the land. Federal investment tax credits for wind farm devel- opment, including the Production Tax Credit, can provide an economic incentive to landowners. 2. Biomass production from trees, crops, or livestock manure, which can be processed by a methane digester to generate electricity for the farm or for sale to the grid, provides another avenue for gener- ating additional revenue from the land. 3. Production of solar energy on solar farms has potential for rural use in many parts of the country as well. Oregon has established Rural Renewable Energy Development (RRED) zones to encourage the develop- ment of renewable energy resources in non- metropol- itan areas. Energy companies developing renewable capacity in RRED zones receive a property -tax exemp- tion (as assessed on all new infrastructure and prop- erty improvements) for three to five years. Value -added farm and forest products processing By processing raw food and fiber into value -added products, landowners can supplement their income beyond simply selling the raw materials. Value -added forestry products include furniture, flooring, construc- ..