From: Vermont Natural Resources Council <jmiller@vnrc.org>
Date: Tue, Apr 28, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Subject: URGENT: Help Protect Vermont's Farms and Forests
Dear VNRC members, activists and friends,
We need your help.
The Legislature is considering a policy that would undermine a crucial land conservation program that supports Vermont's rural economy. Attempting to fill a budget gap, lawmakers are looking to make a significant and sudden shift in Vermont's long-standing policy to protect and enhance our world-renowned farms, forests, and working landscape.
Undoubtedly, the state must make very difficult decisions about how to balance a budget in these challenging economic times. But targeting a program that contributes over $4 billion to Vermont's economy is counterproductive.
Lawmakers need to hear right now from Vermonters like you who care about the future of our farm and forestland. Please contact Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin, House Speaker Shap Smith and your legislator. Leadership especially needs to hear that Vermonters want to protect this program.
Vermont would be a drastically different place without the Current Use Program. The program has helped conserve approximately 15,000 properties by taxing them at their "use" value — their working value — not their development value. This has not only helped keep 2 million acres, or one-third of Vermont's total land area intact, but keeping this land in production has contributed billions to our rural economy.
The Legislature is moving swiftly to cap the applicability of the program based on the value of one's property. If a parcel of land is valued at more than $4,000 an acre, a landowner will need to pay taxes on the development value above $4,000 even though the land is conserved through the Current Use Program.
Multi-generation farms and forests owned by hard working Vermonters would be affected by this provision and it would unfairly tax landowners who are land rich and cash poor in areas that happen to have high property values, a move that runs counter to the stated goals of the program.
Legislators who are negotiating this deal need to hear loud and clear from constituents that they should NOT cap the current use program. Please contact your legislator today!
Peter Shumlin, Senate President Pro Tem — senprespt@leg.state.vt.us or 828-3806
Shap Smith, Speaker of the House — speaker@leg.state.vt.us or 828-2245
Your legislator
Call and leave a message for legislators at the Sergeant of Arms office at 802-828-2228. Make sure to leave your name, town of residence and phone number with your message.
For more information on what you can do to help or on the Current Use Program in general contact VNRC Forest Program Director Jamey Fidel at 802-223-2328 ext. 117 or jfidel@vnrc.org or click here.
Thanks for your help on this important issue!
Sincerely,
The VNRC Team
