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Dear editor:
I have been involved with land use planning for 25 years. During this time my primary interest has been the preservation of irrigated agricultural lands. While this may seem to be …
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Dear editor:
I have been involved with land use planning for 25 years. During this time my primary interest has been the preservation of irrigated agricultural lands. While this may seem to be one-sided, the presence of agricultural lands in Park County is valuable, not only for the economy in our county, but also ensures a way of life for those who desire to farm or ranch.
The limited irrigated acreage in our country is continually being taken for development. The consequences to the taxpayers is notable. The research I have found consistently shows that rural developments use $1.30 for every $1 paid in taxes for services, commercial businesses use $1 for every $1 they pay in taxes, and agriculture uses from $0.35 to $0.50 for every $1 paid in taxes. Besides the obvious loss of agricultural production, development changes the tax picture. The average size farm or ranch spends $500,000 or more every year which goes mostly to local businesses.
I recognize that it is not realistic to prevent all development, nor would we want to. Park County needs to accommodate the inevitable growth in business, and to provide homes for those who wish to live here.
This is where land use planning comes into play. Land use planning is a means to find the “middle ground,” where the citizens of Park County can settle on the use and stewardship of our resources for the benefit of all.
Another option to preserve agricultural lands is that of conservation easements. Conservation easements allow a willing buyer and a willing seller to contract to preserve lands from development in perpetuity. Conservation easements can keep agricultural lands available for future generations of agricultural families.
I fail to understand the vitriol that has been fomented about land use planning and conservation easements. A thriving community requires people to respect others and be able to work out solutions to problems in an amicable fashion.
Petitions, mass mailings, attacks on employees and individuals, and misrepresenting facts do not help. I urge all the citizens of Park County to get the facts, and consider answers, before signing any petitions.
Respectfully,
Kelly Spiering
Powell
