"A Proposal for a State Land Trust Act," John McClaughry, Tbe Haraard Journal on Legislation,June l9ZS, Vol.12, No.4 An example of one way thar the land trust idea could be applied on a widespread basis in the U.S. McClaughry proposes legialtion that would establish a State Land Trust in Vermont, with trustees appointed by the governor and income for the Trust to be derived from a 7% tax on real estate transfer. The State Land Trust's purpose would be to protect open space woodlands and agricultural areas from overdevelopment, while at the same time providing farmers with relief from excessive tax burdens. Linked with the notion of transferable development rights that has been tried in several eastern states (mentioned in the section on Land Reform), McClaughry's proposal cuts through many of thE problems that usually accompany that notion and enables the benefits from the legislative process to go ro the grassroots level. The idea is a complicated one, but it is an important consideration for those who are interested in seeing legislation help to implement land trusts at the local level. (See below) COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS Of the several different rypes of land trusts that are now emerging, CLTs are in many ways the most exciting. Widely decentralized and usually arising from the personal dedication and commitment of individuals and small groups, Community Land Trusts consistently share a concern for making land available to people who, for economic or social reasons, could not otherwise obtain access to it. It is with the Community Land Trusts that the different implications of the land trust idea are being explored and tested most fully, and because they are so closely tied to the communities in which they function, the CLTs stand the best chance of enduring over the long run. The following is a list of several rrusts across the country which, because of their emphasis on community involvement, are good sources of information and how-to advice. Virtually all are subsisting on shoestring budgets, and they incur a lot of out-of-pocket expenses; small donations to cover mailing costs will be much appreciated (and will probably speed answers!). The Sam Ely Community Land Trust 136 Maine Street P.O. Box 116 Brunswick, ME One of the oldest CLTs in the counrry, Sam Ely publishes the Maine Land Adaocate (cited above). A good group to be in touch with; they're thoughtful and responsible in their promotio"n of trusts. The Evergreen Land Trust P.O. Box 303 Clear Lake, WA 98235 The first land trust in the country to receive a federally non-profit, tax exempt-status, Evergreen is working on developing other legal precedentls for the movement. ELT is also one of the more flexible/creative trusts currently in existence, looking at ways that the trust-concept can be made applicable to a wide variety of possible- sitlations and individual needs. Abnaki Regional Land Trust Putney, VT 05346 One of the quieter but more successful trusts in the country, Abnaki is expanding steadily. Good ideas, good approach. lt works. The People's Land Trust 1000 Harris Street Bellingham, WA 98225 The People's Land Trust is unique in that it is, thus far, an urban-cenlered trust. Holding title to about half a dozen houses and a community-use building in the town of Bellingham, people's can offer assistance in dealing with various potential problems connected with urban properties held in perpetuity. Northern California Land Trust 330 Ellis Srreet, Room 504 San Francisco, CA 94102 Organized for the specific purpose of providing farmable lands to otherwise disenfranchised people, NCLT has this year acquired its first piece of land and has placed occupants upon it. Because it^has been relying enrirely upon gifts of land and money to furthei its goals, NCLT is currently trying to reconcile a slow actual growth with the vast numFeb/Mar tgZZ RAIN page 11 bers of inquiries that they are receiving from people who would like to occupy trust lands. They publish a newsletter ($3.00/yr.) and offer membership ($6.00/yr.) as an added means of drr,ring those who are interested in their activities into closer involvement. PUBLIC LAND TRUSTS Another effective type of land trust . that has arisen in the U.S., the public trusts are attempting to free large amounts of land from the speculative market by operating on a more professional, big-money level. Both of the following organizations have been hi,shlf successful in this regard; and while neither is trying to provide people with places where they can livb on the land, they have done much to set aside public-use areas such as greenbelts, parks and wildlife preseives. The Nature Conservancy 1800 North Kent Street Arlington, VA 22209 With offices in many parts of rhe country, the Nature Conservancy has acquired numerous areas for public access. Their emphasis is on wilderness land; they have initiated T"ny- loc.al programs in regional inventories of unique ai.as. (Northwest Office: IZ34 N.W. 25th, Portland, OR 972IO). The Trust for Public Land 82 Second Street San Francisco, CA g4l0s 4t5/495-4014 Similar to the Nature Conservancy but more oriented toward urban/suburban op:.n space property. They have a highly polished approach and have managed' to convince various large corporations and wealthy landowners to give land to the public through them. Currently setting up an intensive-and expensivetraining program for those who are interested in promoting this particular approach to the land trust idea. llenderronrt Early Bummer Cobbage.
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