In 2013, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law that prohibits county assessors from lowering the land value on property enrolled in a conservation easements program. This is a serious blow to restoring our prairie landscapes and protecting our water quality. It makes little sense to tax something for what it was (cropland) instead of what it is (grassland/wetlands).
Why is this important?
In the past 30 years conservation easements have been used extensively to protect and enhance soil, water, and wildlife. This is a very serius blow to conservation in Minnesota. This law is sure to stop much of the water quality/quantity, and wildlife work being done on privately owned lands in Minnesota. Landowers will be punished for their good behavior and their interest in conservaiton by continuing to be taxed at a cropland rate.
