01/29/08 Saving open spaces

The Farm, Ranch and Forest Protection Act is getting attention in the Idaho legislature and has a good chance of being passed in this session. A coalition of ag producers, conservationists, timber operators and others want to see open spaces preserved. Emma Atchley says the Teton Mountains near her eastern Idaho farm are being filled with houses. ATCHLEY "We never get that agricultural or that open view ever again. It's gone forever." That's why Will Whelan of the Nature Conservancy says the tax incentive program is needed. WHELAN "Not develop their land, to keep it open to provide the wildlife benefits and the water quality benefits and in exchange they would receive as an income tax credit half of the value of their donation." Suzanne Schaefer has been carrying the message to the state legislature urging lawmakers to take action now before more land is lost to development. SCHAEFER "We have a broad spectrum because those folks are interested in not just the sportsmen aspects of it but the working lands historical culture aspect of it and also preserving some of our pretty rare wildlife values." The coalition says it wants to keep Idaho working lands working for the future. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott