Minn. voters protect land, water
SAINT PAUL, MN, Nov. 5, 2008
Yesterday Minnesota voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy
Amendment, the largest conservation ballot measure in history, according to
The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national conservation organization. At
more than $5.5 billion dollars for land and water conservation, the winning
measure nearly doubles the previous largest conservation ballot measure, New
Jersey's Constitutional Amendment in 1998, which dedicated $2.94 billion in
sales tax to the Garden State Preservation Trust.
The historic success of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment will
increase investment in clean water, natural areas, cultural legacy, and
parks and trails by about $290 million a year for 25 years. An estimated
$220 million a year will protect and restore natural areas, parks, and lands
vital for water quality.
"Minnesota voters are willing to pay to protect our waters and natural lands
for our children and grandchildren," said Susan Schmidt, director of The
Trust for Public Land's Minnesota Office. "They know that these lakes and
natural lands play an important role in preserving our quality of life. With
our natural lands diminishing, we could not afford to wait to protect the
water quality of our rivers, lakes, and streams, or to conserve natural
areas, parks, and habitat for fish and wildlife."
Yesterday's vote was one of 87 ballot measures voted on in 26 states across
the nation. Voters approved 62 (71 percent) creating more than $7.3 billion
in funding to protect water quality, natural areas, parks, and farmland.
With these actions, new land conservation funding approved across America in
2008 totaled more than $8.4 billion in 27 states, at 71 percent success
despite the current economic and fiscal crisis facing the nation. This
topped the national rate of 66 percent in 2007, and was just below the 74
percent rate for 2006.
Around the country in 2008, Minnesota had one of four statewide conservation
ballot questions, and New Jersey led in the total number on the ballot, at
22 conservation measures. Voters in Rhode Island, Ohio and Colorado also
considered measures to dedicate funding for land and water conservation.
Ohio voters approved a $400 million bond referendum to renew of the Clean
Ohio fund, and in Rhode Island, 67 percent of voters said "yes" to $2.5
million for farmland and natural area preservation. In a hotly contested
question in Colorado, voters decided not to close a loophole in state oil
and gas taxes in the face of strong opposition from oil and gas companies.
Passage of the Minnesota measure follows a growing track record of local
conservation ballot measure success in Minnesota; Minnesotans have approved
81 percent of state and local water and land conservation funding measures
since 1988, higher than the national average of 76 percent. Separately on
Nov. 4, Eagan voters, with 53 percent against and 47 percent in favor,
turned down a $10.25 million bond to purchase a golf course "for public
facilities, recreation, and open space uses." From 1988 to 2008, Minnesotans
have passed four statewide measures to establish and rededicate the
Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
Investments in land conservation are essential to the health of our
communities. Such investments protect air and water, safeguard wildlife
habitat, create critical recreation opportunities close to home, and boost
local economies by stabilizing property taxes, spurring revitalization, and
supporting area businesses. An economic values study of Washington County
land sales from 2002 to March 2006 reports that homes within 100 feet of
protected natural areas are worth over $15,000 more than homes further away.
"Tuesday's results demonstrate sustained support among voters for new
investments in land conservation, even in a very tough economic climate,"
said Ernest Cook, Director of TPL's Conservation Finance program, which
helps local communities design and enact public funding measures. "Voters
understand the need to invest to preserve our land and water resources for
future generations and that's just what these ballot measures will provide
funding to do."
Since 1996, TPL's Conservation Finance Program in Minnesota has helped
several statewide and local campaigns, including the statewide Clean Water,
Land and Legacy Amendment, Dakota and Washington counties, and the City of
Wayzata. The Trust for Public Land provides technical assistance directly to
individual communities and collaborative efforts and through its web site
and workshops. The next workshop will be held in the metro area in early
2009.
The Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit land conservation
organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and
other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to come.
Since its founding in 1972, TPL has helped protect more than 2.5 million
acres in 46 states. TPL depends on the support of individuals, foundations,
and corporations. Visit TPL on the Web at
www.tpl.org.
Access a complete list
of results from local and state balloting on conservation and parks
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