Our View

Our View

Kaine supports land

conservation efforts

A few weeks ago we ran an article about the

Shenandoah National Park as well as the latest

out of Richmond on the proposed changes to the estate tax and the Land Preservation Tax Credit.

Rappahannock County is known for its focus on conservation with numerous groups dedicated to that purpose.

As we were going to press on Wednesday, we received the following from Governor Kaine and it seemed timely to share.

Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced results of a statewide survey showing widespread support for using government resources to protect open space. The survey also shows that many Virginians consider outdoor recreation and access to open space to be important to their families.

The questions on protecting natural resources and open space were part of the Virginia Outdoors Survey, conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. The 3,300-household, mail survey was conducted as part of the revision of the state’s comprehensive outdoor recreation and open space planning guide, the Virginia Outdoors Plan. The 30-question survey has a two-percent margin of error.

Nearly 78 percent of respondents answered “yes” to the question “Should the state spend public funds to prevent the loss of exceptional natural areas to development?” When asked how important is it to protect Virginia’s natural and open space resources, 67 percent said it was “very important” and 28 percent said it was “important.” Less than two-percent said it was not important.

“The results of this survey reinforce our belief that the people of Virginia have a great concern for this Commonwealth’s landscapes and open spaces,” said Governor Kaine. “It also shows our citizens expect their state government to take a leadership role in natural resource protection.”