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Agriculture>Ranchland and Natural Areas Preservation, Referendum 1A
Ranchland and Natural Areas Preservation, Referendum 1A
![Photo courtesy of Yampa Valley Land Trust [Click here to view full size picture]](media/agriculture/tn_alpinezeph_1.jpg)
The Routt County Purchase of Development Rights Program is a successful program that has preserved 7400 acres of our natural lands and helped protect the unique character of Routt County for future generations to enjoy.
Our County will add as many as 2600 new homes over the next ten years. We need to act NOW to plan for growth and preserve our water quality, natural areas, and scenic mountain vistas. This November, Routt County voters will have the opportunity to RENEW the successful program that has helped fund preservation of 7400 acres of our natural lands and protect the unique character of Routt County for future generations to enjoy.
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| What is the Ranchland and Natural Areas Preservation Referendum 1A? |
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In 1996 voters approved a one-mill property tax to preserve ranchlands and natural areas. These tax dollars were used to establish the Purchase of Development Rights Program (PDR), which provides funds for land preservation projects hroughout Routt County. The program has helped fund 13 projects, permanently preserving over 7400 acres. Another 1400 acres have been approved for funding. Unfortunately the funding will expire next year, which is why we are asking you to renew this effort and vote YES for 1A this November.
The Routt County Ranchlands and Natural Areas Program will raise approximately $1,250,000 in the first year and will expire in 20 years. Routt County will use the funds to:
- Preserve land around rivers and streams to protect water quality.
- Preserve wildlife habitat.
- Protect natural areas and open spaces between communities.
- Preserve scenic landscapes and mountain views.
- Preserve working ranches and our rural character.
- Generate revenue to obtain matching grant funds from state and federal organizations such as Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), a Colorado lottery benefactor.
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Ranchland and Natural Areas Preservation Documents
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| Facts About Referendum 1A |
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HERE ARE THE FACTS...
- Voting YES on 1A continues the successful land conservation fund Routt County residents established a decade ago, known as the Purchase of Development Rights Program (PDR).
- This program has helped ensured over 7400 acres in Routt County will never become developed, with another 1400 acres approved for funding. BUT, the need far exceeds our ability to meet it and the funding will expire next year, which is why we are asking you to renew this effort.
- Voting YES on 1A will allow us to continue to fund key land preservation projects that limit sprawl and preserve our water quality and rural character for future generations.
- The Ranchlands and Natural Areas program will be funded by a 1.5 mill property tax.
- Right now everyone is already paying 1 mill, or just under $8.00 per $100,000 of home value for this program, which expires next year. Referendum 1A would increase the cost by $4.00 a year per $100,000 of home value. Thus, for a home valued $300,000, the Ranchlands and Natural Areas Program would cost less than $36 a year.
Referendum 1A Benefits All Residents of Routt County by:
- Preserving land around rivers and streams to protect water quality.
- Preserving working ranches and our rural character by funding projects throughout Routt County.
- Preserving wildlife habitat.
- Protecting natural areas within communities and open spaces between communities.
- Preserving scenic landscapes and mountain vistas.
Strong Accountability and Local Control
- Funding for ranchland and natural areas is based on recommendations of the seven member PDR Citizen Advisory Board.
- Yearly audits are conducted and made available to the public.
- No more than 2% is used for administration of the Program ensuring funds go directly to protecting important lands.
- The Referendum will sunset or automatically expire in 20 years.
We need your help! Vote YES! on 1A
RENEW Our Ranchland and Natural Areas Preservation
Donations can be sent to:
Committee to Preserve Ranchlands and Natural Areas (CPRNA);
Ed Trousil, Treasurer
PO Box 776290, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477;
Attn: Ed Trousil, Treasurer
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| Frequently Asked Questions About Referendum 1A |
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Q: Doesnt The County Have Money For Preservation of Ranchlands and Natural Areas?
A: Funding for the countys current ranchland and natural areas preservation program expires next year. Unless Referendum 1A is passed, there is no county funding
available to continue this program. Renewing the Ranchlands and Natural Areas Program will provide a funding source for preserving these lands for the next 20 years.
Q: Why is this Referendum Asking for More Money?
A: Right now the program generates about $700,000 a year for all projects countywide and the program cannot keep pace with funding requests for worthwhile projects that meet the detailed criteria. Requests for funds regularly exceed capacity, leaving many significant landscapes, natural areas and ranches at risk, which is why this referendum
is proposing an increase of one-half of one mill. The small increase in funding will also help the County keep pace with rapidly increasing land values.
Q: How Do I Know The Money Will Be Spent Wisely?
A: Money generated from this measure will be spent wisely. An independent citizen advisory committee reviews applications and makes recommendations to the Board of
County Commissioners on all expenditures for this Program. Administration cost will be capped at 2%. Currently the program uses less than 1.5%, which means almost all funds
go directly towards preserving ranchlands and natural areas. The revenues will be subjected to an annual public audit. The funding for this program will expire in 20 years.
Q: How Much Will This Cost Me?
A: The Ranchlands and Natural Areas program will be funded by a 1.5 mill property tax, which will cost approximately $12 per $100,000 of home value. Right now everyone is
already paying 1 mill, or $8.00 per $100,000 of home value for this program, which expires next year. This Referendum would increase the cost of the program by $4.00 a
year per $100,000 of home value. Thus, for a home valued at $300,000, the program would cost about $36 a year or $3 per month.
Q: Will There be Public Access on These Lands?
A: Public access can be provided on the preserved properties depending on the intent of each individual project and the wishes of the landowners. The program has already helped fund two projects with public recreational access. However, the majority of the applications come from local ranchers wanting to keep their property in agricultural use
rather than sell out to developers. These ranchers have donated, on average, 47 percent of the cost of preserving these open lands. By preserving ranchlands and natural areas
we are preserving water quality, wildlife habitat, scenic landscapes and our agricultural economy.
Q: What Can I Do?
A: Sign up as a volunteer! Come to the General Committee meetings! Help with the funding of this campaign! Get on the email distribution list! Volunteer to put up a yard
sign!
The General Committee meetings will be held every other Thursday at 12:00-1:30 beginning with September 1st (9/1, 9/15, 9/29, 10/13, 10/27). Unless otherwise stated,
the meetings will be held at Colorado Mountain College, Bogue Hall, Room 300.
We need your help!
Donations can be sent to:
Committee to Preserve Ranchlands and Natural Areas (CPRNA);
PO Box 776290, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
VOTE YES on1A!
Authorized and paid for by:
Committee to Preserve Ranchlands and Natural Areas
Ed Trousil, Treasurer
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This page last updated on 9/29/2005.
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![Photo courtesy of Yampa Valley Land Trust [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/agriculture/alpinezeph_1.jpg', 'Photo courtesy of Yampa Valley Land Trust',288,200));)