In our last blog, we addressed Virginia’s method for funding land conservation – tax credits to landowners via conservation easements.

The Charleston Gazette published an article a few weeks ago titled “Keeping it Wonderful,” talking about West Virginia’s take on the idea of funding land conservation.

The article states that for the past five years, WV counties have been able to tax all real estate transfers and use the money to buy development easements from farmers who wanted to sell them. Advocates argue that without the payment, farmers would be more likely to sell their land to high-paying developers.

According to a poll by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, conservation easements have become an increasingly popular topic among West Virginia legislators as well as residents. The telephone poll of 2,505 people states that four out of five West Virginians would support spending tax money on the preservation of forests, mountains and natural areas within the state.

Currently, although the public demands that the DNR conserve more land, it simply can’t keep up due to budget issues.

According to the Gazette, MeadWestvaco – a packaging and products solutions company that promotes its dedication to environmental, social and economic sustainability – was selling approximately 60,000 acres of property in Randolph County with a price tag of more than $93 million.

Steve Brown, fish and wildlife planner for the DNR’s wildlife resources section explains the DNR’s statewide budget for land acquisition is approximately $1 million, thus illustrating the budget constraints.

Clearly, the state of West Virginia can’t remain undeveloped. That’s not smart economics for anyone.

However, it’s important to consider the development ramifications on the tourism industry in West Virginia.

According to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife census, people spent approximately $1.2 billion on hunting, fishing, birdwatching and other wildlife activities in West Virginia last year.

Should the land development industry get behind the issue in thinking about smart growth?

Let us know your thoughts…