The Peru Gazette

From the office of NYS Senator Betty Little

Legislation sponsored by Senator Betty Little that would create a state tax credit to encourage forestry stewardship and habitat conservation on private property passed the State Senate today.

“Undeveloped privately owned forestlands have many benefits for wildlife and water quality,” said Little.  “Growing property tax burdens and shifting of the assessment burden onto private lands creates pressure for development.  This tax credit, funded through the state and not a shift to locals, would offer financial relief, increasing the likelihood that these tracts remain intact.”

Little said studies have documented the increase in fragmentation of the forested landscape and the implications this has for wildlife, water management, biodiversity, and the forest-based economy.
 
Senate bill S.138 would provide a tax credit for 25 percent of school, county, and town taxes paid on a private property. The credit would be capped at $10,000 for eligible forest properties which have an approved habitat conservation or forest stewardship plan, or both.

A Habitat Conservation and Forestry Stewardship Program would be established within the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which would allow eligible properties to enroll and develop conservation plans for a period of not less than five years. Once enrolled, such properties could apply for the real property tax credit.

A landowner would need to apply to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).  An eligible property would be a tract of land of at least 25 contiguous acres that has been inspected by the DEC, a wildlife biologist certified by The Wildlife Society or a fisheries biologist certified by the American Fisheries Society.

A companion bill is sponsored by Assembly members Carrie Woerner, Dan Stec and Billy Jones.

The New York League of Conservation Voters, Adirondack Council and New York Farm Bureau have issued memos in support of the legislation.