[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 132 (Thursday, October 4, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   OREGON AND CONSERVATION EASEMENTS

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 4, 2001

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, Oregon has a system unique to the nation 
in protecting its farmland. Other states have utilized conservation 
easements to preserve farmland. Oregon has used a comprehensive land 
use system though with a record of stunning success. According to 
Oregon's Department of Land Conservation and Development, the state has 
16 million acres zoned for Exclusive Farm Use (EFU). This is in stark 
contrast to the 800,000 acres protected acres nationwide. That number 
is less than what we protect in the northern Willamette Valley alone, 
which is also our most populous area.
  Conservation easements--the purchase of development rights--are what 
other states use to protect farmland rather than the zoning approach 
that Oregon uses. However, leaders in protecting Oregon's farmland are 
in agreement that no one tool alone does the job of protecting 
farmland. In addition to the state's zoning system, conservation 
easements would be appropriate in Oregon in selected locations. They 
would serve as a complement to, not a replacement for, the zoning 
administered by the Land Conservation and Development Commission.
  The primary reason Oregon has not used federal Farmland Protection 
Program (FPP) monies in the past is that our state was initially 
ineligible, but given recent changes to the program we now have the 
opportunity to participate. Another reason was that within our state it 
was thought that our land use system already served the need. However, 
there is increased awareness that zoning needs to be supplemented with 
voluntary incentives for land conservation.
  This awareness has been increased by the passage last fall of Oregon 
ballot initiative, Measure 7. It amends Oregon's Constitution to 
provide that any property owner whose real property is reduced in value 
by government regulation must be paid compensation by the government 
for the lost value. While this measure is still in litigation, if it 
goes into effect, landowners could begin to make claims for 
compensation. Access to federal FPP funds would provide Oregon farmers 
the flexibility to accept conservation payments in lieu of other forms 
of compensation.
  I very much appreciate the assurances that Natural Resources 
Conservation Services have provided me of their willingness to work 
with Oregon, as they are with any other state that has a unique 
situation, in utilizing the Farmland Protection Program. Oregon is 
eager to be a full participant in FPP. Increasing federal funding for 
this program and ensuring its accessibility for a variety of land 
conservation uses is key to its success in Oregon and other states.




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