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We have recently become aware of the wildlife habitat and environmental conservation issues arising from the 1995 Municipal Government Act and the work of your Committee on defining how farm property should be assessed for taxation purposes. Our members are very concerned that privately-owned rural lands, which are not actively farmed but have significant conservation value, continue to receive preferential assessment and taxation (as they did prior to 1995) in recognition of the broader public benefits that accrue from them. Our understanding is that the definition your Committee has recommended for a "farming operation" would exclude such lands from the preferential assessment given to farmland. Our concern is that this will result in a disincentive to maintain their conservation value. Provincial property assessment and taxation policy should be designed to foster sustainable agriculture (productive soils, natural pest control and ground water recharge), environmental quality (clean air and water, healthy wildlife populations and maintenance of biodiversity) and quality of life (aesthetically pleasing and varied landscapes) in rural farmland areas.
We recognize that this is no easy challenge and we are pleased to see recognition given to these concerns in your most recent Farm Consultation Report (May 1999). This report indicates that your MLA Review Committee will develop proposals for addressing the conservation lands issue and that stakeholders will have an opportunity to review proposals and provide their advice. As an organization of wildlife professionals, many of whom have substantial experience in working with rural landowners and in agricultural landscapes, we would like to offer our assistance in helping to develop and review these proposals.
Please keep us informed as to the committee’s progress and, if appropriate, advise us as to how we can best assist your Committee in helping to ensure that wildlife and the environment benefit from provincial property assessment and taxation policy.