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UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2594
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A RESOLUTION supporting perpetual conservation easements. 1
WHEREAS, conservation easements provide important wildlife habitat on our 2
nation's private lands, supporting opportunities for hunters by increasing available habitat 3
for iconic game species while providing many other environmental benefits; and 4
WHEREAS, conservation easements are completely voluntary, free -market, 5
incentive-based contracts, the terms of whic h are agreed upon by the landowner, for the 6
conservation of natural, agricultural, and historical resources on private land; and 7
WHEREAS, conservation easements protect private property rights and enable 8
landowners to monetize the environmental and habitat values of their land; and 9
WHEREAS, perpetual easements ensure that conservation values are managed 10
forever while providing landowners with clearly defined assurances through written 11
easement contracts; and 12
WHEREAS, conservation easements enable agricultur al producers to maintain and 13
expand their operations and pass their land on to their heirs, if they so choose, while 14
benefitting rural economies by keeping private land in agricultural production; and 15
WHEREAS, conservation easements provide capital that en ables landowners to 16
grow or maintain agricultural operations or reinvest in the landscape; 17
NOW, THEREFORE, 18
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 19
Kentucky: 20
Section 1. The Senate supports the availability of termed and perpetual 21
conservation easements as an important tool designed to promote conservation practices 22
on private lands while rewarding landowners for their voluntary participation. 23
Section 2. The Senate recognizes that efforts to undermine the terms of existing 24
contracts subverts the intent of those terms as agreed upon by the landowner who chose 25
to enroll the property in an easement program. These efforts also reduce the landowner's 26
flexibility to use their property rights that allow for selling certain land use rights rather 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2594
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than the entire property. 1
Section 3. The Senate recognizes that the rights of future generations are 2
important considerations for current landowners, highlighting the importance for families 3
to discuss property decisions, rather than undermining the availability of perpetual 4
conservation easements and their history of success. 5
Section 4. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 6
Resolution to Senator Robin Webb. 7