MN Conservation Easement Tax Law Change

[Scott M]

Got this from a friend on a local board of the SWCD, thought it was worth sharing. Please do the same...

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Please take 1/2 minute to help the conservation movement dealing with taxes on permanent easement lands such as RIM (Reinvest in Minnesota), WRP (Wetland Reserve Program), etc. The current law has permanent easement land taxed as cropland (much higher rate). Cropland can produce an income but permanent easement land can not! Landowners throughout the state are really shying away from the programs because of the tax law change last year. Please take a 1/2 minute to help appeal this law and make Minnesota a place with abundant wildlife habitat, clean water and less soil erosion.

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/repeal-of-mn-statutes

[minky]

Thanks for the information!

[delcecchi]

Are these easements irrevocable? If so, then sure. If not, no dice.

[laker1]

Permanent easements with tax breaks are much needed.

[DinnerPail]

Are these easements irrevocable? If so, then sure. If not, no dice.

Agree,

It's not as cut and dry as it seems if anyone has been following the law suit between UPM and several counties concerning land valuations and understand the consequences it will have on the local tax payers. Voluntarily putting land into an easement, get paid millions and then wanting more - no dice.

Living in a township where this is happening and UPM owning 80% of the land in the township is going to be a big burden on the local tax payers. I know easements are good and many benefit from them but who should pay the price for them - not the local tax payer. If UPM wins I can figure the local in my township will see about a 30% increase in property taxes.

Please think about what you ask for and how it affects others.

Thank You

[Scott M]

UPM/Blandin got a pretty nice check in exchange for those permanent easements. Is the land worth less with a permanent easement and should it be zoned and taxed differently? Yes, but these guys knew what they were getting into when they signed on the dotted line.

It's a lawyer's question I suppose. My understanding was once an easement was on an abstract, it could not come off.

[bowhunternw]

Well from what I understand they get almost full land value for these easements and then they get to keep the land. It does drop the land value alot, this should reflect on the taxed amount however I don't think the counties are assuming the loss in value. With all the pressure on habitat I would like to see these pieces stay in perpetual easement to stay forever and be taxed at a reduced rate.