May 7, 2007

Goodlatte Signs on as Co-sponsor of Conservation Tax Incentive Bill
Call, fax, or e-mail to show your appreciation for this valuable legislation

Congressman Bob Goodlatte has signed on as a co-sponsor of HR 1576, a bill to make permanent the current conservation tax incentives for landowners, which are set to expire Dec. 31, 2007. 

If your Congressman is Bob Goodlatte, please contact him and show your appreciation for his support. Local contact info, e-mail address, fax number, and a sample letter have been included below:

Click for e-mail: Congressman Bob Goodlatte
Fax: (540) 857-2675 fax

Sample letter (please personalize as you see fit and be sure to include the bill number!)

May 8, 2007

The Honorable Bob Goodlatte

U.S. House of Representatives

Rayburn House Office Building

Room 2240

Washington, DC  20515

Dear Representative Goodlatte:

I am writing as a member of the Western Virginia Land Trust, which works in our area to conserve farms, forests, waterways, and rural landscapes.

We want to thank you very much for cosponsoring H.R. 1576, legislation that makes a new conservation tax incentive permanent.  Extension of this tax incentive will allow us to continue helping landowners conserve their land and protect valuable resources in Western Virginia.   

Since the passage of this expanded tax incentive in August of 2006, our land trust has seen an increase in the interest of conserving valuable resources.  More than 3,000 acres of land were placed under easement in 2006 alone, largely due to the expanded tax incentive, and 2007 is shaping up to be another great year.

This tax incentive provides a very valuable tool for land trusts like ours.  We appreciate your support for land conservation in Virginia.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

For folks in other Congressional districts, we encourage you to contact your Congressman and ask him to join as a co-sponsor of HR 1576.

Congressman Rick Boucher (VA 9th) (click to e-mail)
106 North Washington
Pulaski, Virginia 24301
(540) 980-4310

Congressman Virgil Goode (VA 5th) (click to e-mail)
70 East Court St., Suite 215
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
(540) 484-1254
(540) 484-1459 fax

If you've not already done so, please contact Senator Jim Webb to encourage him to co-sponsor the companion bill in the Senate, and thank Senator Warner for already signing on as co-sponsor of the Senate bill.

Senator John Warner (click to e-mail)
1003 First Union Bank Building
213 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, VA 24011
Phone: (540) 857-2676
Fax: (540) 857-2800

Senator Jim Webb (click to e-mail)
3140 Chaparral Drive Building C, Suite 101
Roanoke, VA 24018
Phone: (540) 772-4236
Fax: (540) 772-6870

Calendar Reminders

Gallop 4 the Greenways - May 12

     5k Run/Walk to benefit Roanoke Valley Greenways; visit www.valleyforward.net.

Bedford County Landowner's Meeting - May 17

     For anyone with 100 acres or more on Thursday, May 17th at 7 pm at the Moneta/Smith Mountain Lake Library, 13641 Moneta Rd., Moneta, VA.  Contact BCLP Nan Carmack at (434) 610-2792.

SAVE THE DATE!  2007 Conservation Celebration, Sept. 23

     For all WVLT members, landowners, and friends.  Food, music, awards, and fun.  At the David Rader farm in Troutville.  Call (540) 985-0000.

© Copyright 2006, Western Virginia Land Trust
722 First Street SW, Suite L
Roanoke, VA 24016
(540) 985-0000