A26-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 29. 2003 , • L ( \ it r \t' t « > I l r — 1 r- ' > 1 ' i Bill Could Have Jeopardized Farmland Preservation (Continued from Page A 1) bill are pleased with the result. “Grange is extremely pleased that there was an overwhelming vote to preserve farmland in Pennsylvania,” said Brenda Shambaugh, legislative director for Pennsylvania State Grange. “The precedent set, once an agri culture restriction is in place, it remains intact. We (the Grange) would like to thank the legisla tors who voted to defeat this leg islation and support agriculture in Pennsylvania.” However, Shambaugh notes that this bill could be reconsid ered at a later date, because a re consideration vote was taken and passed. “Pennsylvania Farm Bureau appreciates the vote, but we also know the legislation may be brought back for more considera tion soon,” said Guy Donaldson, president of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. Donaldson noted, “We recog nize that all members of the House are concerned about the preservation of farmland in the commonwealth. In this instance, some have been tempted to stray from their convictions. Because passage of the legislation would set harmful precedents for farm land preservation in Pennsylva nia, we’re hopeful that our law makers will ultimately give this This 22-acre property pictured from Jackson Run road in front of the Warren State Hospital Complex is at the heart of Pennsylvania’s farmland preservation con troversy. House Bill 66, which was defeated Tuesday in the House of Representa tives, proposed to remove agriculture restrictions on the property for commercial development. Lancaster Forming's Clossifitd Ads Got Results! CAU. TODAY and get a TRIPLE PLAY on the best value and pre-season offer In hey equipment. Offer valla until January 31,20 m. Soo your loeol dialer for dotalla, forma i conditions. tut#a»cnritt appro* by Wend* AcogtannUX WarmaarCmW man* Iw right to Inlarpnt nwtty or caned Mai program* at anytkrw without nafcaoroMgatton VERMEER and VfmwtiogD in rtgMrtdtraritmarlaalVtmwM Manufacturing Co In Iht US and/or othtr countdit. © 2003 Vimiaar Manufacturing Co All Higittt NtHrvtd legislation a proper burial.” The Pennsylvania Farm Bu reau and Pennsylvania State Grange stepped up their grass roots efforts to defeat this bill in the days before its vote in the House. Both organizations plan to monitor the status of the bill. If passed, the bill could set pre cident not only for state-owned farmland, but also for Pennsylva nia’s farmland preservation pro grams. “We think it is a dangerous precedent issue,” said Don aldson. “If this happens, what does it do to our farmland preser vation program?” One component of the bill was the permitting the transfer of the agricultural restrictions on the 22 acres to a 46-acre site in Elk Township. Donaldson expressed concerns, that, if allowed, the bill could impact agricultural land preservation programs, opening the door for ag restriction move ments. “We are very pleased that the House has voted to maintain the integrity of the Ag Land Preser vation program,” said State Grange Master Betsy Huber. “Permanently preserved land should be just that, permanent, with no transfer of the easement permitted without a very impor tant reason for the public good. Any weakening of the program The annual Penn State Hybrid Reports are part . and parcel of the Jan. 31 issue of Corn talk in \|||m Lancaster Farming. Also scheduled is a feature from a Columbia County 5-Acre Corn Club winner, silage reports, meeting updates, and a calendar of crop growing and management events. would have a negative effect on future covenants.” Heidi Schellenger, executive director of Lancaster Farmland Trust (LFT), noted that LFT has been remaining aware of the bill’s activity because of the impact it could have on easements. “We need to maintain the sanctity of an easement,” said Schellenger, stressing that an easement “is a perpetual promise” to protect farmland. House Bill 66 was introduced at the beginning of the imple mentation of Warren County : s comprehensive plan. The plan was developed to generate eco nomic growth for the county. According House Bill 66, War- ren County is facing sever al economic challenges, such as an unemployment rate of 19 percent, decreas ing county population, and a high percentage of coun ty lands owned by the state or federal government, which limits the county tax base. However, as the defeat of House Bill 66 will forbid the development of the ag riculture lands, other op tions are available for de velopers in Warren County. One option, a brownfield located to the west of War- TIMETOBUYI purchase before 12/31/03 /also be qualified to 10% (or up to $lOO,OOO of vent purchased in 20031)* tionSactton ITSDundttton ti.cs