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Grassroots |
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| The Voice of New York Farm Bureau |
January 2007 |
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Farm Bureau supports Endangered Species Reserve Act The Endangered Species Reserve Act of 2006 is a “win-win” for private landowners, as well as endangered and threatened species, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. In a letter to U.S. Senators, AFBF President Bob Stallman said it is imperative to include farmers and ranchers in efforts to preserve and enhance habitat for endangered and threatened species. “With private lands housing 80 percent of listed species, cooperation with private landowners is essential if the Endangered Species Act is to achieve its goal of recovering species,” said Stallman. Essentially, the measure would amend the Internal Revenue Code to provide incentives to farmers to work proactively in an effort to preserve and enhance habitat for endangered and threatened species through tax credits. Private landowners could voluntarily enroll lands in the proposed Endangered Species Reserve Program through easements or management agreements. Such agreements would require the landowners to take or refrain from certain activities to enhance the recovery of listed or candidate species. If accepted, they become eligible for tax credits depending on their level of participation. “Landowners will benefit from reduced regulations and fewer land-use restrictions while at the same time enhancing habitat for species they enjoy on their land,” said Stallman.
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