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Roundtable's Draft Recommendation [PDF]
Problem:
Parcelization & Forest Fragmentation
A
combination of forces are increasing
land fragmentation and promoting
unsustainable land use patterns
in Vermont. Increasing property
taxes, active real estate markets,
and inconsistent land use planning
are promoting the development
of privately owned forestland.
This development is resulting
in parcelization - the breaking
up and/or subdivision of forestland
into smaller and smaller pieces
and multiple ownerships. For example,
the number of non-industrial private
landowners in Vermont has increased
from an estimated 61,900 in 1983
to approximately 80,000 in 1993,
correlated with a decrease in
the average size of a parcel of
land.
VNRC
is currently conducting a roundtable
discussion with over sixty experts
in the state to identify the causes
of forest fragmentation and parcelization
and create workable solutions
for landowners, municipalities,
and state government to adequately
plan for appropriate forestland
conservation. The roundtable includes
many diverse perspectives including
consulting foresters, professional
planners, government officials,
landowners, sportsmen, and representatives
from the forest products industry,
conservation groups, biomass energy
and other important interests.
The
roundtable is designed to address
discrete issues that relate to
parcelization and fragmentation
including trends in the real estate
market, forestland valuation,
property tax policy, land use
and conservation planning, family
and estate planning, landowner
incentive programs, and the viability
of the forest products industry.
The goal of the roundtable is
to bring diverse perspectives
together to share perspectives
on the causes of parcelization
and forest fragmentation and develop
a final set of recommendations
to address the rate at which forestland
is being developed in the state.
The
roundtable meetings are open to
the public. If you are interested
in attending, please contact Jamey
Fidel, VNRC Forest
Program Director at 223-2328 ext
117.
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