The following article is from the June 2007 issue of

While the state legislature wraps up its session, Hudson Valley townships are calling for lawmakers to pass the Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act (HVCPA). The Act would help Hudson Valley municipalities protect their local environments and historical heritage by letting communities decide whether or not to institute a property transfer tax. The NYLCV recognizes the twenty communities that have endorsed this bill along with Red Hook and Warwick, both of which have already received state approval for their own Community Preservation Funds.

Municipalities that have resolutions from the Hudson Valley include: Village of Brewster, Dutchess County, Town of Highlands, City of Hudson, Town of Marbletown, Town of Milan, Town of Olive, Town of Philipstown, Putnam County, Town of Putnam Valley, Town of Red Hook, Town of Rhinebeck, Town of Rosendale, Town of Taghkanic, Town of Woodstock, and more to come.

Undeveloped and agricultural lands in New York State are disappearing at a rapid rate. This creates a threat to clean drinking water, farming, habitat, and spectacular scenic views. Local communities would like to fight back, from land use planning activities to the outright purchase of property, but they must have money on hand to put up a good defense and they need it fast before the land is gone forever. They would like to emulate the success of the five towns at the east end of Long Island, which established a Community Preservation Fund that raises enough funds to give these towns a fighting chance.

The HVCPA allows for communities in Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties to hold referendums on whether to institute a property transfer tax of up to 2% of the cost of the house above the median home price in the area. These funds will go to a dedicated account that allows for the areas to purchase the development rights to sensitive areas that have ecological or historical significance. The townspeople themselves are the ones who make the decision: they vote on the issue in a referendum. Furthermore, the CPA does not hurt the already struggling because the one-time fee only applies to homes above the median price.

Purchasing the development rights allows for communities to save green space. Saving farmland or forests helps protect a community's water supply by letting the rainwater soak into the aquifer, which developed land is far less capable of. This act will help communities decide their own environmental fate and protect themselves from over-development and ecological distress while protecting their heritage.

These funds have historically been great successes. The towns in Eastern Long Island have created these funds and have raised over $400 million which has been used to protect 7,500 acres. These funds are popular and logical.

Although communities would like to be given an opportunity to say "yes" to raising local dollars for preservation, a state law says "not without government's permission." This is a big problem because instead of rallying their local communities to take action, local leaders lose precious time by having to travel to Albany and ask for permission to do so.

Be active! Click HERE and encourage lawmakers to endorse these needed CPAs to let communities protect themselves.

Newsletter Issue

• Ecopolitics Monthly --- June 2007