The Hole in the Bucket

Protecting farms and ranches is imperative. Food security, wildlife value, rural character, and quality of life are just some of the reasons. Paying farmers a fair price to conserve their land through a permanent conservation easement is one of the best solutions. Some have questioned purchasing a conservation easement on land as though it is some sort of subsidy. It is not. A fair price is determined and the landowner gives up forever the right to any current or future development value. The public receives the benefit of continued food production and an actual net benefit in terms of taxes versus services. Elk, deer, moose and cows, don't go to school, don't drive on the roads and don't require culinary water.

Recently Salt Lake County Council opposed HB102. The concern is that the legislation allows for the termination of agricultural conservation easements. This is a valid and important concern. Beyond the fact that in some instances the termination would allow for double dipping it could also hurt farmers who were unaware that because of the termination legislation they were ineligible for estate tax benefits and income tax benefits. This would do the very thing we are trying to guard against, put the family farm at risk. To expend public dollars for the protection of farm land is critical, but only if that expenditure is protected by a perpetual conservation easement.