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- Info
Preserving rural lands: Legislative strategies to curb excessive conversions
| Author: |
Hickman, C.A. |
| Date: |
1987 |
| Periodical: |
Journal of Forestry |
| Abstract: |
To curb excessive rural-land conversions, a number of state, county, and municipal governments are intervening in local real estate markets. Most of these initiatives encourage retention of prime farmlands, but forests and other open-space lands are often included. In New Jersey, actions are being taken to preserve the Pine Barrens (Schiff 1986). In Michigan's Upper Peninsula, commercial timberlands are being identified, and owners are encouraged to retain their valuable forestlands (Maurer 1982). The Adirondack Land Trust is working to preserve the forested character of northern New York (Wolfgram 1986), and in New Hampshire, conservation easements (donated development rights) are stimulating forestland retention (Ober 1986). Timber-producing states such as California and Oregon also are developing forestland protection policies (Liberty 1981). Foresters are well equipped by education and experience to take part in rural-land preservation. Those who wish to get involved will need to become familiar with current policy options and the governmental powers from which they are derived. |
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