12/08/06 Crapo`s new ESA legislation

Idaho's Mike Crapo has just introduced a bill in the US Senate to provide financial incentives for private landowners to help recover endangered species. CRAPO "Over 80 percent of endangered wildlife live on private property and by providing tax benefits for conservation efforts this legislation encourages landowners to get involved in critical species recovery." The Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2006 provide tax credits for landowners who agree to put easements on their property or they agree to restore, enhance or manage endangered species habitat. There would be expanded tax deductions for landowners who take part in recover plans specified under the ESA and the bill would allow landowners to exclude from taxable income certain federal payments under cost-share conservation programs. This bill has bi-partisan support from the American Farm Bureau, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the Defenders of Wildlife, Environmental Defense, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association; the National Wildlife Federation and the Society of American Foresters. One year ago this month Crapo introduced the bipartisan CRESA bill, the Collaboration for the Recovery of the Endangered Species Act which is aimed at improving the ESA to ensure greater protection of endangered species. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott