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Right move
Last year, the federal Joint Committee on
Taxation recommended reducing the tax
incentives available to landowners who wanted to protect their properties through conservation easements.
Perhaps they were concerned about possible abuse, or were unaware of the public benefits derived from land conservation. But the committee later reversed itself, actually expanding the tax credit.
The dramatic turn-around didn’t take place overnight, and it certainly wasn’t easy to accomplish. The Piedmont Environmental Council and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation both played a large role in persuading Congress to expand, rather than reduce, the tax benefits, at least for 2006 and 2007.
Similarly, the Virginia Land Preservation Tax Credit was at risk, this year, with the General Assembly passing legislation that would have reduced the tax credit from 50 percent of the value of a donated easement to only 40 percent, and putting an annual cap of $75 million on the program. 4
Gov. Tim Kaine - in keeping with his campaign promises - stepped in, amending the legislation and raising the annual cap to $100 million. The amendment was passed by the General Assembly on Aug. 28, and will become effective in 2007.
This is good news for those who treasure our open space and enjoy the quality of life we enjoy in the Virginia Piedmont.
‘Crikey’
Steve Irwin died on Monday, September 4, and
with his death a world community mourns.
Irwin, known as “The Crocodile Hunter” had a wild way about him as he embraced nature and enthusiastically broadcast his message of wildlife preservation to the world.
Never lacking for drama, Irwin was known for wrestling with crocodiles, reaching dauntlessly into dark holes for dangerous reptiles and quickly identifying all manner of animal tracks and “pooh.”
Not quite at home in the oceans of the Barrier Reef, Irwin freakishly caught the tail of a too-close sting ray and died almost instantly after pulling the poisonous barb from his chest.
Irwin, 44, leaves behind a loving wife and two small children as well as a distraught father who referred to Irwin as “his best mate.”
For all of us, his was a lesson in living, an inspiration to embrace life with passion and take our human potential to the limit.
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