[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 147 (Monday, October 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               AMERICAN FAMILY FARM AND RANCH PROTECTION

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 1, 2007

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I am proud to join with my 
colleague, Representative Phil English, to introduce the American 
Family Farm and Ranch Protection Act,'' which will help conserve and 
protect our nation's vital lands, farms, and ranches.
  The voluntary placement of a conservation easement on private land is 
a very effective and successful tool for protecting and conserving our 
Nation's open spaces and sensitive lands.
  In 1997, in order to encourage the conservation of sensitive lands 
and farms, Congress enacted an estate tax exclusion for land placed 
under a conservation easement. Unfortunately, the original bill capped 
the exclusion at $500,000. Our bill would update and increase this 
estate tax exclusion to $5 million.
  Given the significant rise in land values over the past decade, the 
increased exclusion provides a meaningful and in many cases necessary 
increase in the estate tax incentive as a way to encourage and allow 
individuals to place conservation easements on their land.
  Our Nation's family farmers, whose most significant asset is often 
their land, provide a glaring example of why this legislation is 
needed. When the owner of the farm dies, surviving family members are 
often forced to sell all or a significant portion of the farm just to 
pay the estate tax bill. This legislation would help ensure that 
families are not forced to sell the farm and that their land resources 
are available for agricultural use by future generations.

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