Senators Crapo, Lincoln, Baucus, Grassley Praised by National Environmental Leaders for Introducing

[Judi Lynn]

Senators Crapo, Lincoln, Baucus, Grassley Praised by National Environmental Leaders for Introducing Bill to Help Save Endangered Species on Private Lands

Legislation Would Provide Tax Credits for Private Conservation Efforts

12/7/2006 10:54:00 AM

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The leaders of three leading national environmental groups today praised Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) for introducing and Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Charles E. Grassley (R-IA) and Max Baucus (D-MT) for cosponsoring a new bill to provide financial incentives for private landowners to help save endangered plants and animals. The bill introduction is significant because all four senators are key members of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax credit legislation; Senators Grassley and Baucus are the top ranking Republican and Democratic members of the committee.

Environmental Defense, National Wildlife Federation and Defenders of Wildlife sent a letter thanking Senators Crapo, Lincoln, Baucus and Grassley for sponsoring The Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2006 (S. 4087). The legislation would provide $400 million annually in new tax credits, plus additional deductions and exclusions, for private landowners who take steps to help endangered or threatened species on the properties they own, such as the northern Idaho ground squirrel, the red-cockaded woodpecker in Arkansas, the bull trout in Montana, and the Topeka shiner (a fish) in Iowa.

"The most effective way to resolve conflict is to find consensus and collaboration; once that is achieved, the results can be phenomenal," said Senator Crapo. "This legislation encourages people to take part in conservation efforts. In fact, it rewards them for taking actions that will lead to species recovery and enhancement. It makes conservation valuable rather than a liability and it avoids the pitfalls that litigation brings. I am pleased to have worked closely with Senators Lincoln, Baucus and Grassley and groups like the National Wildlife Federation, Defenders of Wildlife, and Environmental Defense to craft legislation that moves us forward on species protection as well as recognizes private property values."
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The bill provides new tax credits for landowners who agree to put easements on their property or agree to restore, enhance or manage endangered species habitat on their land. It also expands tax deductions for any landowner who takes part in the recovery plans specified under the Endangered Species Act, and allows landowners to exclude from taxable income certain federal payments under cost-share conservation programs.
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