To the editor:

Vote for preservation

March 25, 2007

Measures saving farmland are worth the cost in the Town of Mukwonago and in Washington County.

From the Journal Sentinel

Voters in Washington County and in the Town of Mukwonago in southwestern Waukesha County will be asked in referendums on April 3 whether they're willing to spend taxpayer money to help protect farmland from development. Future voters and other residents would appreciate a "yes" vote in each case.

A "yes" vote would support creation of a purchase-of-development-rights program aimed at making sure certain farmlands remain farmlands. Under such programs, a government or land trust purchases the right to develop the land of farmers who are selected for the program. A permanent deed restriction is placed on the property that bars owners from selling the land to developers. Otherwise, owners are free to use the land as they choose.

Purchase-of-development-rights programs aren't right for every community or for every acre of farmland. Development and growing communities are generally good for Wisconsin, and not every farm acre is sacred. But people in other states have found that the programs can be an effective tool in shaping a community, a county or a state. Such programs have worked well in those places, and more Wisconsin communities are considering adopting them. State officials, too, are looking at developing a statewide program.

Wisconsin is losing cropland faster than any other state in the Midwest, and the loss is coming at a time when renewed interest in ethanol and biofuels to replace traditional fossil fuels could reap big benefits for the state. Agriculture remains a vital state industry.

Land preservation advocates in Washington County estimate the county is losing 1,500 acres of agricultural land to development annually. Town of Mukwonago supporters feel the program could preserve about 1,100 acres of the approximately 4,800 acres that could be developed but haven't been yet.

Town of Mukwonago voters are being asked to pay an extra property tax of 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property values for the next 20 years. Washington County voters are being asked whether they're willing to spend at least $800,000 a year for 10 years. Given the payoff, that's a reasonable investment in the future of Washington County and the Town of Mukwonago. And it's an investment other developing communities should think about making, too.