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March 2001 Page 6 farmland preservation report. Maryland program looks to speed up Iegislative easement process and program continued from page 5 b r I efs .. . Pennsylvania Bureau of Fa -land Protection delegates technical and legal program responsibilities to the counties. However, some skepti- to Virginia ... A battle over reducing cism was apparent, as expressed by the chairperson. "Is the process quicker in Pennsylvania ?" Phyllis Kilby said. "We the state's personal property tax has left the state without a new budget for don't know if its a perception or reality:' the first time in history, and an executive order for every department California study confirms sellers to prepare for up to 15 percent in c cu s. The legislature an Gov. motives: love of the land and cash James G are divided on how much the state's hated "car tax" should be cut. The DAVIS, CA — According to a University of California study, farmers governor seeks $419 million in cuts to fund a 70 percent reduction in the tax. restrict their land through conservation easement programs because Land conservation funds were among the money is attractive and because they love their land. his first cuts. In the 57 -page report titled "California Farmers and Conservation in Oregon ... Measure 7, passed by Easements: Motivations, Experiences and Perceptions in Three Coun- a 53 percent of Oregon voters last fall, ties," researchers interviewed 46 landowners who either sold conserva- farmland restricted by a conservation and requiring government to pay landowners for curtail of tion easements or purchased property rights, has mend to easement. The study was conducted in Marin, Sonoma and yolo counties by violate the state constitution (see story this issue). the University of California Agricultural Issues Center and by the 413 would s . up- to Maryland ... HB up- University of California Cooperative Extension, Marin County. element counties' participation in The purchase of easements is funded in Sonoma County with a state program with one -time awards of quarter -cent sales tax approved by voters in 1990. Since the early 19805 between $50,000 to twice the amount the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) has funded easements with there rejected sales tax a county provides as matching funds not originating from the state agricul- state government and foundation grantsNoters measures for funding easements in 1992 and 1996, but MALT is gaining tural transfer tax in FY2003 compared to FY 2001. HB 502 would require mu- significant funding through a capital campaign. yolo County ease- ments are paid in large part by development mitigation requirements nicipalities to establish a TDR program when rezoning land that is outside of a approved by the City of Davis in 1995 and by state grants. county's designated growth area from While landowners said they were motivated by a preservation ag to residential use; HB 646 would ideal, family needs, and the monetary reward, 41 of the 46 put the provide an income tax break on gains after sale or donation'of'an preservation ideal at the top of the list. "The ranch was something that I had put together over the years," recognized easement; HB 681 would allow a state said one Sonoma County landowner who was quoted in the publica- income tax credit for easements donated, to MET or to MALPF only, for M tion. "I wanted it to remain in productive agriculture, not houses." Easement payments received in the three counties ranged from the amount which the fair market value prior to the easement exceeds $1300 to $3000 per acre. Farmers said they used the money for settling the after value. HB 988 would allow estates, paying off debt and improving their operations. Some also said landowners to request a release from planning for the transfer of the farm and avoiding inheri tance tax was an easement at any time, removing the 25 -year waiting period. please turn to page 7