Max Baucus: “today I re-introduced the Rural Heritage Conservation Act, along with my good friend Senator Grassley from Iowa. I would…”

“today I re-introduced the Rural Heritage Conservation Act, along with my good friend Senator Grassley from Iowa. I would like to say a few words about why this bill is so important to my home state of Montana and to the Nation. We are losing precious agricultural and ranch lands at a record pace. Farming and ranching are the backbone of my state, comprising the largest sector of my state's economy. Not only do these farms and ranches provide Montana and the Nation with the highest quality food and fiber, they also provide wildlife habitat, open space and peace of mind. It is imperative that we help our hard-working farmers and ranchers preserve this precious heritage and their way-of-life. Conservation easements have been tremendously successful in preserving open space and wildlife habitat. Unfortunately, the way current tax law is structured makes it difficult for farmers and ranchers, who generally don't have much income, to take advantage of the tax benefits associated with donating conservation easements. They've been left behind by this important conservation tool. That's why I introduced the Rural Heritage Conservation Act. My bill will provide targeted income tax relief to small farmers and ranchers who wish to make a charitable contribution of a qualified conservation easement.”