For immediate release: April 30, 2008
Contact: (202) 225-4761
Eric Wortman, Communications Director
Rep. Salazar Weighs in on Conservation Easements with Farm Bill Conference Committee
Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. John Salazar (CO-3) signaled his strong support for the conservation easement portion of the Farm Bill, with his colleagues on the Conference Committee today. Rep. Salazar has been a leader on the issue in the House Agriculture Committee. The text of Rep. Salazar’s letter is below and the original letter is attached.
Honorable Charles Rangel
Chairman
House Committee on Ways and Means
1102 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Rangel:
As you are concluding negotiations on the Farm Bill, I wanted to bring to your attention a letter I sent to Chairman Collin Peterson and Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte on February 15, 2008. This letter addresses the need for the renewal of tax incentives for private land conservation in the Farm Bill.
I, along with sixty-five of my colleagues, support this provision and believe is necessary for landowners and the protection of our natural resources. As the letter notes, conservation easements allow private landowners to retain ownership, control and management of their property, while ensuring that important resources on those lands will be conserved for the future.
I hope you will continue to consider maintaining this provision in the Farm Bill. This incentive will not only help those in Colorado, but help historic landscapes around the country. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
John T. Salazar
Member of Congress
cc: Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Honorable Earl Pomeroy
Honorable Collin Peterson
###