Action pnum1195 Last 25 Messages Transmitted Log HB 1488 - Support VA Property Rights & Transparency ********** [075027:021215] E.N., Charlottesville, VA I support this bill and all efforts to provide an even playing field for the stewards of the land, our small farmers. In this case operating for the stated purpose and for the good of the participants, the land, and other Virginians. Am also tired of seeing good people lured into good-sounding programs that end up being run for entirely different objectives, in secret, and to the detriment of those who acted in good faith and the rest of us. Everyone including the deceivers owes themselves and their fellow man something better. ********** [061702:021115] M.D., Gloucester, VA Vote YES on HB 1488 if you want the residents, present and future, to protect our state. Create a legal system where land owners have equal rights with those who have the present land stewardship. It seems to be a flaw in the thinking system that the steward is the owner of easements. The owner of the land is the owner. The steward is the guide to the owner. Help get that bully type thinking corrected by voting YES to HB1488. ********** [045656:021115] S.V., Earlysville, VA Some of the only land for sale in Green County is conservation easement. To protect the environment and development of subdivisions is good. But who and where will the food be produced? People like me who would want to be farmers and make a family farm would want to live on the land that they farm. Makes sense so you can watch your crops and animals. What does this accomplish:being run down into no productivity and huge watchdog waste? What was done to the woman on Liberty Farm sets a very bad standard for VA. I request an investigation into how local officials had her targeted with the IRS. She needs to be reimbursed for her attorney fees. As a conservationist myself, PEC better get it right now. As the pipelines are coming. The amount of emissions of fossil fuels and their toxic fracking fluids in WV will fall on it's sister land in VA. Vegetables may wilt from the toxic air as is happening in other states. There is a bigger fight to be had to protect water and farm land. So PEC, stop destroying the people who are your best allies. ********** [033305:021115] N.L., Alexandria, VA $100 million dollars each year of Virginia tax dollars pays for the Virginia Conservation Program, however, non-government organizations, like The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), have no oversight, accountability, transparency or standards. Many farmers innocently place their properties in agricultural easements or purchase farms with pre-existing agricultural easements only later to find out they can't even have a dog house. Virginia's most famous farmer, Joel Salatin, wrote a very good article "Beware of those sincere sounding conservation easements" discussing the horrors of having a conservation easement. These easements are intended for the public good and are a government created program that uses tax dollars and "tax credits". Virginia is one of the few states that can "sell" tax credits. Yet despite this public program, there is no transparency or standards. With one of these easements that are "forever"(and forever is a long time), anything can happen and change and terms can be interpreted differently. Currently if a dispute arises, the only option for a land owner is full blown litigation that can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and take years. There is also NO TRANSPARENCY. HB 1488 provides a land owner with a forum to have a dispute heard or a question asked for clarification. Makes sense, right? Not only is it good public policy but it provides for protections and accountability that currently do not exist. ********** [173559:021015] M.R., Alexandria, VA I totally respect Joel Salatin's opinions on this topic and he would definitely support bill HB 1488. Please vote in favor of this bill!!! I support my local farmers for meat, milk and veggies! This is of great interest and concern to me. Say yes to HB1488! ********** [132046:021015] J.T., Alexandria, VA Small farmers need to be valued and protected. I purchase most of my family's food from small farmers located in VA and MD. ********** [125034:021015] M.C., Annandale, VA This legislation will strengthen the social fabric of local communities and encourage people to participate in their food production by the awareness naturally occurring when farm direct to consumer sales occur. ********** [070509:012815] J.O., Sperryville, VA Though I support Ag. easements and tax credits, I also support transparency and I think there is a balance here that needs to be struck. The origins of these easements could not and can not forecast a need for flexibility. Let's fix it and manage the process openly, with discourse and balance. Please vote for this bill. ********** [070457:012815] J.O., Sperryville, VA Though I support Ag. easements and tax credits, I also support transparency and I think there is a balance here that needs to be struck. The origins of these easements could not and can not forecast a need for flexibility. Let's fix it and manage the process openly, with discourse and balance. Please vote for this bill. ********** [063454:012815] D.P., Castleton, VA As a resident of neighboring Rappahannock County, I see the failure to rein in PEC's overzealous and dubiously valid enforcement as a dangerous trend - one that could have severe repurcussions in my own county. Please consider the original intent and spirit of the easement program and support property rights for the Commonwealth's landowners. Without transparency, there is simply no defensible argument to support PEC's authority. ********** [045249:012815] K.L., Reston, VA Please consider the rights of Virginia landowners and small farmers, and vote YES on HB 1488. Thank you very much. ********** [034945:012815] N.L., Alexandria, VA I want access to real food. Please vote yes on HB 1488. Enviromental groups should be going after factory farms. ********** [172201:012715] C.G., Ashburn, VA I support HB 1488. I have heard story after story of farmers and land owners being bullied and harassed by shading groups like the Piedmont Environmental Council. Farms are some of the most environmentally responsible people there are because they depend on the land. Please help protect farmers and their property rights by supporting HB1488. ********** [165201:012715] C.F., Winchester, VA Many farmers innocently place their properties in agricultural easements or purchase farms with pre-existing agricultural easements only later to find out they can't even have a dog house. Virginia's most famous farmer, Joel Salatin, wrote a very good article "Beware of those sincere sounding conservation easements" discussing the horrors of having a conservation easement. ********** [153248:012715] S.M., Burke, VA I think there is a need for transparency in the Virginia Conservation Program and the NGO's which take part. Also, a venue for changes and different interpretations to be heard- a venue that doesn't require deep pockets to get an honest hearing - would be a very good idea and go a long way to balance the power of the NGO's. ********** [150003:012715] K.H., Lorton, VA As a farm consumer and potential future farmer, I support protections for farmers such as providing a method of having a easement dispute heard by a neutral party. This is one of many reasons that I support HB 1488, and I urge you to add your support. Thank you for your time. ********** [143552:012715] C.H., Buena Vista, VA Please Vote YES on HB 1488, the Conservation Easements bill. Respectfully and Sincerely, Catharine Hagan ********** [142955:012715] D.P., Front Royal, VA 100 million dollars each year of Virginia tax dollars pays for the Virginia Conservation Program, however, non-government organizations, like The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), have no oversight, accountability, transparency or standards. Many farmers innocently place their properties in agricultural easements or purchase farms with pre-existing agricultural easements only later to find out they can't even have a dog house. Virginia's most famous farmer, Joel Salatin, wrote a very good article "Beware of those sincere sounding conservation easements" discussing the horrors of having a conservation easement. These easements are intended for the public good and are a government created program that uses tax dollars and "tax credits". Virginia is one of the few states that can "sell" tax credits. Yet despite this public program, there is no transparency or standards. With one of these easements that are "forever"(and forever is a long time), anything can happen and change and terms can be interpreted differently. Currently if a dispute arises, the only option for a land owner is full blown litigation that can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and take years. There is also NO TRANSPARENCY. HB 1488 provides a land owner with a forum to have a dispute heard or a question asked for clarification. Makes sense, right? Not only is it good public policy but it provides for protections and accountability that currently do not exist. **********