A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO recognize the importance of voluntary conservation easements and honor the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses for protecting wildlife habitats and private property rights.

 

Whereas, conservation easements provide important wildlife habitats on our nation's private lands, supporting opportunities for hunters by increasing available habitats for iconic game species while providing many other environmental benefits; and

 

Whereas, conservation easements are a completely voluntary, free-market, incentive-based contract - the terms of which are agreed upon by the landowner - for the conservation of natural, agricultural and historical resources on private land; and

 

Whereas, conservation easements protect private property rights and enable landowners to monetize the environmental and habitat values of their land; and

 

Whereas, perpetual easements ensure that conservation values are managed forever while providing landowners with clearly defined assurances through written easement contracts; and

 

Whereas, conservation easements enable agricultural producers to maintain and expand their operations and pass their land on to their heirs, if they so choose, while benefiting rural economies by keeping private land in agricultural production; and

 

Whereas, conservation easements also provide capital that enables landowners to grow or maintain agricultural operations or reinvest in the landscape; and

 

Whereas, the Executive Council of the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses supports the availability of termed and perpetual conservation easements as an important tool designed to promote conservation practices on private lands while rewarding landowners for their voluntary participation; and

 

Whereas, efforts to undermine the terms of existing contracts undermines their intent as agreed to by the landowner who chooses to enroll the property in an easement program utilizing their property rights at the time the agreement is made, selling certain land use rights rather than the entire property; and

 

Whereas, the rights of future generations are important considerations for current landowners, highlighting the importance for families to discuss property decisions, rather than undermining the availability of perpetual conservation easements and their history of success; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the dedication and commitment that the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses has shown in serving the people and the State of South Carolina.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize the importance of voluntary conservation easements and honor the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses for protecting wildlife habitats and private property rights.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Executive Council of the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses.

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