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Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Public purchase of conservation easements on private land

Star Tribune Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:04:46 GMT
Taking land off tax rolls has price

Denmark Township is raising concerns about losing revenue if Washington County buys land for public use. Washington County's proposal to move several tracts of land in Denmark Township to public ownership would shift too much of the local tax burden to remaining landowners, township officials said Tuesday. "It does sound good to say it's being preserved for public purpose," said Kathy Higgins, chairwoman of the town board. "There's a cost that goes along with that, and it's primarily at the local level." ... But Gary Kriesel, chairman of the County Board, reminded commissioners that landowners are "willing sellers" who voluntarily applied. The county would buy some land outright and in other cases buy land for conservation easements, which means it wouldn't be developed. The county has said prices will be fair but likely below what developers would offer. [emphasis added]

[[keywords: LandUse;Legal;Metro;]]

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