Tool For Preservation

John Ehinger, November 10, 2007
Times Staff Editorial

Preserving open space provides an opportunity for outdoor recreation, but it isn't the sole argument in favor of preservation.  Land left in a natural state in many ways mitigates the effects of both air and water pollution.

Those latter benefits are starting to accrue to The Land Trust of Huntsville & North Alabama as it evaluates and accepts conservation easements on local properties.  the easement ensures that the land won't be developed (or, if developed, only minimally) without The Land Trust having to buy the property.

The sudden burst of interest in the donation of conservation easements stems from a change in federal law in 2006 that allows property owners much larger deductions for donation such easements.

The local land trust has accepted a 302-acre parcel near the city and is evaluating several other proposals.

Land preservation can come about in a number of ways - donations, transactions at market value, land swaps and now conservation easements.  All those mechanisms are suitable for a community, such as this one, that has experiences significant growth and is expecting more.