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land and want to keep it that way,” he said.
Rice is well aware of landowners reasons for choosing easements, in fact he was the first in Page County to put •an easement on his land.
Others who have also donated land agree that easements are an important tool. Marie Ridder currently has five parcels under easements in several different counties, including Rappahannock, totaling nearly 400 acres. She has been approved for an easement of 51 acres in the county this year.
Tb her, easements are vital to land conservation. "Preserving open space and farmland is something I think will be valuable to future generations.” said Ridder.
In addition to the conservation element. Rice says that the tax benefits are a reason worth considering. Land placed under easement is allowed tax perks. This is beneficial even for those who may not have exorbitant taxes.
While the benefit previously applied only to the owner, it can now be sold to other individuals. Thus someone who may have an easement but wall not profit from it economically can sell the tax credit to another individual who may benefit from the break. The owner keeps his or her property while making a profit off the sale of the tax cut.
Rice said that this cut is an excellent benefit but will not likely push people to put their land into easement. “If it’s just dollars,” he said, “they’re not going do an easement.”
Tax breaks are one qf the perks and are the primary reason why landowners should begin preparing to file an easement this year.
The process of being approved for an easement generally takes a few months, said Rice. Owners who wish to get the benefits for this fiscal year must have the easement on file no later then Dec. 31.
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