May 26, 2003

Lott Helps Pass Important Conservation Legislation
by James L. Cummins

The Mississippi Land Trust has voiced support for the efforts of U.S. Senator Trent Lott which will result in substantial benefits for conservation throughout Mississippi.

Earlier this year, Senators Max Baucus (D-Montana) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) re-introduced Senate Bill 701, the Rural Heritage Conservation Act. On February 5, 2003, the Senate Finance Committee, with the leadership of Senator Trent Lott, passed S. 701 as part of a package of measures called the Charity Aid, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act. On April 11, the bill passed the full Senate with 95 Yeas and 5 Neas. Senator Thad Cochran also voted for the bill.

The income tax provisions of S. 701, which greatly increase income tax benefits, have not, as yet, become law. S. 701 and its companion, House Resolution 1349, sponsored by Congressman Scott McInnis (R-CO), increase the income tax benefits for donating a conservation easement to a qualified land trust (i.e., Mississippi Land Trust) by increasing the deductible amount from 30% to 50% (10% to 50% for a C-Corp.) of a donor's adjusted gross income and expands a donor's carry forward period of unused charitable deductions from 5 years to 15 years.

The second major provision of the income tax legislation allows a conservation easement donor, who receives a majority of his or her income from farm, ranch or timber income, to deduct 100% of his or her income and the carry forward period of unused charitable deductions will also be 15 years.

In both the House and the Senate, the tax changes have bipartisan support. The bill continues to be publicly endorsed by leaders of both parties. The expansion of federal income tax benefits to accelerate land conservation throughout the United States, if all goes well, will become law this year.

Mississippi has seen significant growth in the past several years, attracting new businesses and residents, as well as tourists. But the very reason many people call Mississippi their home is our rich history and bountiful wildlife habitat. Conservation easements are increasingly being recognized as a desirable tool for landowners interested in protecting their property. We must actively preserve these unique characteristics of our state, not only for ourselves, but future generations as well.

Senator Lott's efforts to improve conservation programs in the Senate Finance Committee are welcomed. We are very blessed to have Senator Lott in Washington to make sure we have sound conservation programs to improve Mississippi's quality of life.

For more information on conservation easements, write the Mississippi Land Trust at P.O. Box 23, Stoneville, MS 38776 or visit their web site at www.misslandtrust.org.

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi