Wednesday
February 28, 2007
Farm Bureau Supports
Endangered Species Recovery Act
Source: American Farm Bureau Federation
“We commend the introduction of the Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2007,” said Stallman. “We strongly support this bill. We are encouraged that it has support from both sides of the aisle, and we will work with Congress to secure its enactment.”
With private lands housing 80 percent of listed species, Stallman said AFBF is absolutely convinced that cooperation with private landowners is essential if the Endangered Species Act is to achieve its goal of recovering species. He said farmers and ranchers are known as some of the best stewards of the land, thus the vast majority of landowners want to enjoy listed species on their property, but have been stymied by restrictions on the use of their land by ESA regulations.
Essentially, the measure would amend the Internal Revenue Code to provide incentives for farmers and ranchers to proactively preserve and enhance habitat for endangered and threatened species through tax credits. More specifically, 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.
“Encouraging landowners to proactively improve habitat because they want to, instead of passively acknowledging habitat through land use restrictions, will greatly enhance the recovery of listed species,” said Stallman. “The tax credits and deductions provided in the bill offer that encouragement.”
Contact:
Tracy Taylor Grondine (202)
406-3642 tracyg@fb.org
Mike Deering (202) 406-3640 miked@fb.org