Agenda - 03-18-1997 - 9a - Laserfiche WebLink

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19 CONSERVATION TRUST FOR NORTH CAROLINA March 12, 1997 Mr. William L. Crowther Chairman, Board of County Commissioners orange County PO Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278-8181 .Dear Mr. Crowther: We request support by the orange County Commissioners for proposed state legislation co-sponsored by your districts senator Ellie Kinnaird, which will increase the financial incentives for private landowners who donate land or interest in land for public-interest conservation purposes. As the attached "fact sheet" explains this amendment will increase the state income tax credit for land and conservation easement donations from the current $25,000 cap to $100,000 for individuals and $250,000 for corporations. orange County's open space protection initiatives will benefit from the increased state income tax incentive and inducement for gifts of conservation and recreational lands. The companion bills introduced in both the State Senate and House will (1) increase the state income tax credits as an incentive for donating conservation lands and easements (as recommended by the NC Coastal Futures Commission, the NC Year of the Mountains Commission, and the NC General Assembly's Environmental Review Commission in the 1996 and 1997 sessions); and (2) would establish a small grant-in-aid program within the NC Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources to qualified private land conservation organizations to defray costs of arranging and receiving donated lands/easements and to help establish a network of protected riparian buffers, greenways and natural areas. The bills have wide bipartisan support and no indication of opposition. Representatives of the NC Association of County Commissions have indicated their support. The bills have not yet been scheduled for committee hearings. We believe that passage of these bills will be a major advantage for local governments and land conservation organizations across the state, in promoting and encouraging nonregulatory means to protect important natural areas, riparian corridors, greenways, local parks and recreational areas, and other conservation lands. This legislation will be a most helpful supplement to the state's new Clean water Management Trust Fund, Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, and Natural Heritage Trust Fund by promoting more donations of land and helping with conservation education, planning, and costs of arranging gifts of land. We ask for your County Commission's support for this proposal and ask that you express that endorsement to your state General Assembly delegation. Please call me if you want more explanation. sincerely, I L Ja Charles Roe, CTNC Executive Director cc: Marvin Collins, Planning Director enclosures POST OFFICE BOX 33333 ' RALEIGH,NC 27636-3333 • PHONE 9i9-828-4199 • FAX 9i9-828-45o8 • EMAIL ctnc @mindspring.com