Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick Champions Land Conservation Bill

Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick held a press conference Thursday afternoon at in Doylestown to garner support for the Conservation Incentive Easement Act of 2011.

If passed, H.R. bill 1964 would permanently extend tax credits for landowners who give up their property development rights for conservation purposes.

Fitzpatrick was joined by Jeff Marshall, chief preservation officer of the Heritage Conservancy in Doylestown, Jim Vaseleck, president of the Tinicum Conservancy and Eve Marschark, president of the Bedminster Regional Land Conservancy. 

In the spirit of open space, Fitzpatrick donned a green tie and offered a plea to the community to help renew and make permanent the legislation which expires at the end of the year.

“Coming from southeastern Pennsylvania, there are many things we can leave to future generations,” he said. “None is as precious as the unsurpassed beauty of our countryside.”

Fitzpatrick was one of the original co-sponsors of H.R. 1964, which currently has 259 congressional supporters. Temporary conservation credits were supported in 2006 by the Bush administration and again in 2010 by the Obama administration, although a lapse in legislation last year left hundreds of easements unfunded.

“We’re fortunate in Bucks County to have a congressman that actually gets this,” said Vaseleck of the Tinicum Conservancy.

By making the tax incentives permanent, Vaseleck said landowners will be able to preserve their farms for generations and focus on more important projects by eliminating the semi-annual stress caused by renewing legislation.

“This is our best tool right now,” said Marschark of the Bedminster Conservancy, adding that many times, when public money isn't available, homeowners have to front the funds for conservation, not knowing if a tax incentive even will be available to them after years of negotiation.

The new bill would make tax benefits a reality by deducting a larger portion of the value of land over the course of 16 years in exchange for a permanent conservation easement on the property.

In President Obama’s budget plan, the bipartisan joint committee on taxation allowed for a one-year extension of the bill at $117 million. A 10-year projection in 2007 forecasted that it would cost $761 billion.

“The cost is well exceeded by the benefits,” said Fitzpatrick, explaining that preservation of open space helps reduce flooding, development and pollution.

“Every farm is a small business,” he continued, placating uneasiness about the current economic climate.

Fitzpatrick championed the benefits of raising children on locally-grown produce and hiring employees from the area – decisions that ultimately circulate dollars back into the community.

For Marshall of the Heritage Conservancy, the legislation is about a promise made in the preamble of the Constitution – to “promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity,” – a promise he believes entitles future generations to clean land, food and water.

Fitzpatrick said that support from community landowners and representatives will continue to help make Bucks County a leader in land preservation.

Questions about H.R. 1964 should be directed to Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick’s district office at 215-579-8102 or Washington office at 202-225-4276.