Missoula County opposes SB 357, Require terms for conservation easements using state funds, up for hearing this afternoon in Senate Fish and Game. This bill would prohibit perpetual conservation easements that receive state funds (including pass-through federal funds) on properties greater than 1,500 acres. While exceptions have been made for certain federal funds that pass through the state (such as Forest Legacy and FWS), there have been no exceptions made for other large landowners, such as agricultural producers.
This bill does not fully define "state fund," and we are concerned it could exclude County open space bond funds from being used on perpetual conservation easements, despite voter approval for these initiatives. In addition, local open space bond funds are often used as the required non-federal match for projects supported by federal funds. By making many landowners ineligible to use federal funds, it would severely limit our ability to use open space bond funds.
Senator Curdy,
ReplyDeleteMissoula County opposes SB 357, Require terms for conservation easements using state funds, up for hearing this afternoon in Senate Fish and Game. This bill would prohibit perpetual conservation easements that receive state funds (including pass-through federal funds) on properties greater than 1,500 acres. While exceptions have been made for certain federal funds that pass through the state (such as Forest Legacy and FWS), there have been no exceptions made for other large landowners, such as agricultural producers.
This bill does not fully define "state fund," and we are concerned it could exclude County open space bond funds from being used on perpetual conservation easements, despite voter approval for these initiatives. In addition, local open space bond funds are often used as the required non-federal match for projects supported by federal funds. By making many landowners ineligible to use federal funds, it would severely limit our ability to use open space bond funds.
Please oppose SB 357.