04/19/07 ESA reform

Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has picked up support for Senate Bill 700, his reform to the Endangered Species Act. His legislation encourages private landowners to protect endangered species through tax credits for wildlife habitat enhancement. American Farm Bureau's Rick Krause says this proposal and ones similar to it will make the Endangered Species Act successful. KRAUSE "People that are interested in species conservation now understand that farmers and ranchers are a necessary part of the equation and they're doing more to try to include them in the solution." Senator Crapo contends that 80 percent of the endangered or threatened species exist in part today on private property, 35 percent depend entirely on private lands. Krause says Senate and House proposals offer tax deductions to farmers and ranchers for projects that improve the chances for species recovery. KRAUSE "They provide tax credits depending on whether you grant permanent easements, whether you grant easements for term or whether you enter management agreements with the Fish and Wildlife Service." Crapo says his legislation is a tried and true principle; monetary incentives produce tangible results. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott