gary said:
"Second, a direct purchase (via condemnation proceedings if needed)..."

i sure hope not too many landowners read that, because taking by
eminent domain,
even though it WILL NOT HAPPEN EVER AGAIN ON BEHALF OF A HIKING TRAIL,
remains
one of the scary boogums that keeps some landowners from permitting
even certification
of their section as official North Country Trail. it's a haunting
leftover from projects like the
skyline drive in shenandoah national park, for instance, when the
government was rather
heavy-handed in just TAKING a route through private property, but the
distaste for such
proceedings lingers among many people, whether it could ever happen
again or not.

Even the appalachian trail, which is almost entirely owned by the
public, has been PURCHASED,
never taken by condemnation proceedings, won't happen again, just
because there isn't
that much money in the world. At least, however, the National Park
SErvice has finally
obtained the right to buy from WILLING sellers on behalf of the North
Country Trail....when
they have some money.

Never leave out that word "willing!"

irene szabo



-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Borek <garyborek@...>
To: whiteeaglemz@...; fingerlakestrail@yahoogroups.com;
pmonahan@...
Cc: fltboard@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sat, Jul 11, 2009 9:00 pm
Subject: Re: [fingerlakestrail] Fw: Tax credit for landowners











On its surface it seems like a good proposal. But I wonder if it is
really an effective way to achieve the purpose.

First, even though I make a good living from the complexity of our tax
laws, I think we need to simply our tax laws rather than add more
complexity. We should use the tax laws to raise revenue for government
operations and expenditures. Rather than “spending money through tax
deductions and credits” we should just have government purchase the
necessary property rights directly.

Second, a direct purchase (via condemnation proceedings if needed)
guarantees completion and continuation in perpetuity of the trails.
Under the voluntary tax credit system, it only takes one
non-participating landowner to disrupt the continuity of the trail.

Third, if I was a landowner I might grant revocable public access to my
land but I don’t think I’d be willing to divide by property by a
permanent public easement. The value of the credit would have to
include not only the value of the 150-foot wide path, but the loss in
value of the contiguous parcel which would become two divided separate
parcels.

It is better than nothing, but the real solution is for government to
directly purchase the necessary real property interests to secure the
sought public access.

----- Original Message -----
From: mary zukdomanski <whiteeaglemz@...>
To: FLT E-group <fingerlakestrail@yahoogroups.com>, Pat Monahan

<pmonahan@...>
Cc: FLTC Board <fltboard@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:33:02 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: [fingerlakestrail] Fw: Tax credit for landowners

>
>
> I would be infavor of supporting this bill.  I wouild also offer it
as suggestion to landos, not a mandate.
> mary d.
>
> --- On Wed, 7/8/09, Pat Monahan <pmonahan@stny. rr.com> wrote:
>
> From: Pat Monahan <pmonahan@stny. rr.com>
> Subject: [fingerlakestrail] Fw: Tax credit for landowners
> To: "FLT E-group" <fingerlakestrail@ yahoogroups. com>
> Cc: "FLTC Board" <fltboard@yahoogroup s.com>
> Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 10:25 PM
>
> Message
>
> Greetings to all of you. This message was sent to me and I am
forwarding it to you for your consideration. Private landowners are a
critical aspect of the FLT system. Some may see this as a positive
while others will see this as a negative. Please take a moment to
determine your position and take the appropriate next step if you
support this issue. I know how valuable your time is. Thanks for
reading this message and making your voice heard if that is your choice.
> pm
> -----Original Message-----
>
> This summer, as hiking season swings into full gear, American Hiking
Society urges you to TAKE ACTION to contact your Representative and
encourage them to support HR 1912, the Complete America's Great Trails
Act, a bill introduced by Rep. Connolly (D-VA) and Rep. Lummis (R-WY) 0D
designed to protect some of the most special trails in America.
>
> America's longest and most protected trails, iconic footpaths like
the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, Continental Divide, and brand-new
Arizona National Scenic Trail, all cross private lands. Many
landholders graciously allow hikers to cross their lands - but each
acre of private land represents a potential break in the continuity of
these great trails.
>
> The Complete America's Great Trails Act is a bill that provides a tax
credit to private landowners who grant conservation easements to
National Scenic Trails. This means that private landowners have a new
incentive to allow hikers to pass through their property, and trails
get a guaranteed corridor that protects the connectivity and continuity
of the hiking experience for years to come!
>
> This tax credit is an important tool that provides a fiscally
responsible incentive for private landowners to allow access for
hikers. During these challenging financial times, it is important to
consider that HR 1912 requires no direct spending from the federal
government, provides a significant tax break to hard-working
landowners, and helps ensure that America continues to benefit from our
incredible trail resources.
>
> For information on this important legislation, visit our webpage. To
take Action and encourage your member of Congress to co-sponsor HR
1912, click TAKE ACTION.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message h
ave been removed]
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>