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LAND CONSERVATION OPTIONS

Information for Landowners

If you own land that you feel may have important conservation features, whether it be farmland, woodland, saltmarsh, or some combination, anywhere in Essex County, we invite you to contact us. We would be very pleased to discuss the full range of land conservation options with you. Please contact David Santomenna, Director of Land Conservation or Tracie Hines, Conservation Outreach Coordinator.



CONSERVATION TAX BENEFITS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE END OF 2009.
  • Raises the deduction a donor can take for donating a conservation easement from 30% of their adjusted gross income in any year to 50%.

  • Allows qualifying farmers to deduct up to 100% of their income, provided the land remains available for agricultural production.

  • Increases the number of years over which a donor can take deductions from 6 years to 16 years.

  • Is retroactive to January 2008 and applies to easements donated through 2009, including bargain sales.
Many landowners have found these benefits to be a significant incentive to place a conservation restriction on their land. For more information about what this legislation might offer you, please call Essex County Greenbelt's Director of Land Conservation David Santomenna (dts@ecga.org or (978) 768-7241 extension 18) or Conservation Outreach Coordinator Tracie Hines (tracie@ecga.org or (978) 768-7241, extension 16).

Information for Municipalities, Agencies, and Land Conservation Organizations

Greenbelt's conservation project assistance takes many forms, from technical advice, assistance with landowner negotiations, joint cultivation of land conservation projects, to small grants which may cover project costs, due diligence, or even a portion of the purchase price of an important conservation parcel. If your town, city, land trust or agency is working on a land conservation project, and you think that Greenbelt could help, please get in touch with us. Contact Ed Becker (eob@ecga.org or (978) 768-7241 extension 12) or David Santomenna (dts@ecga.org or (978) 768-7241 extension 18).

 

Further Reference

In conjunction with the Trustees of Reservations, Greenbelt has co-published a reference for Massachusetts land owners entitled Land Conservation Options. You can download a copy, or purchase a copy for yourself, for a friend or for your community via the online store, or by calling Greenbelt's office.
Download Land Conservation Options (PDF 1.5mb)
Download 2008 Tax Law Changes, Addendum

 
82 Eastern Avenue Essex, MA 01929
ph: (978) 768 - 7241

fax: (978) 768-3286

email: ecga@ecga.org