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known until a definitive study is done, something that appears unlikely to Mr. Dennis.
“The costs of doing a definitive study are just extreme and I don’t think we’ll ever do it on a regional basis,” said Mr. Dennis.
Mr. Dennis said the signs are there, however.
“We’re in the crisis stage and we don’t know it yet,” he said.
In addition to the easement program, the PEC involved in other concerns that relate to its aim of preserving rural landscape.
The PEC also seeks to promote legislation to imprive the planning process.
“We need a much different kind of land planning than we’ve traditionally had,” he said, with more consideration being given to water supply and other environmental concerns.
In addition, the PEC stands firmly behind the land-use value tax, which taxes the land in the program, usually at a lower rate, according to its soil quality. The program is designed to protect agricultural, forestal, horticultural land and open space.
An election issue in Fauquier County, the use value tax has been carefully scrutinized by some county residents who say there is a need to reform the program.
While few advocate eliminating the tax program, many say that enforcement efforts are strained and there are clear abuses of the program.
“We recognize that there are abuses, but there is probably more of a perception of abuses than there are actual abuses,” said Mr. Dennis.
Allowing the abuses to continue, however, may be in the best interest of the county, said Mr. Dennis, rather than risk losing the program.
“The county has the option to adopt only the open space category, which would take care of the greatest abuses,” he added.
He said, however, “I do think there is some technical abuse, simply becauce they can’t go and count trees.”
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