February 21, 2012 – The Radnor Conservancy voiced enthusiasm today for a bill introduced by Rep. Jim Gerlach (R., Pa.) that will make permanent a tax incentive that helps landowners conserve important natural, agricultural and historic resources.

The legislation has received bipartisan support from Congress with more than 300 co-sponsors from both parties for “The Conservation Easement Incentive Act” (H.R. 1964). Allof the conservation easements held by the Radnor Conservancy have been donated by landowners, who may have benefited from similar tax incentives, a news release from the Conservancy said. “Jim Gerlach understands the critical importance of protected open space and its value to our local communities. We are grateful for his leadership in sponsoring this bill and appreciate all of the other co-sponsors from Pennsylvania,” said Sara Lupkas, Chief Operating Officer of the Radnor Conservancy.

Of the thousands of bills introduced in the U.S. House during the current session, fewer than 10 have garnered 300 or more co-sponsors, the release said. “This legislation has generated tremendous bipartisan support because the conservation easement tax credit works,” Gerlach said in the release. “The tax credit gives family farmers, ranchers and other property owners more choices and creates opportunities for partnerships between non-profit organizations, federal, state and local officials.”

Under the legislation, landowners can retire the development rights on their land by donating a conservation easement to a land trust like the Radnor Conservancy, protecting important natural resources, and conserving the area’s scenic and historic heritage. Since the incentive expired at the end of 2011, landowners with modest incomes now receive little tax benefit from restricting what may be their family’s most valuable asset, the release said.

The Radnor Conservancy is a local 501(c) dedicated to the protection of open space and preservation of the important natural, cultural and historic assets of Radnor Township. Preserving open space helps to maintain the environmental health and quality of life in our community.  For more information about H.R. 1964 or the Radnor Conservancy, please visit http://www.landtrustalliance.org/policy/tax-matters/campaigns/cosponsors or contact Radnor.conservancy@comcast.net or 610-688-8202.

Landowners with appropriate planting sites along Lancaster were contacted and offered trees, and then given a choice of species and help with site location with the assistance of a landscape architect working with the project.  Species include maples, oaks, elms and zelkova.

Look for the Big Tree Program’s new plantings next spring to continue in neighborhoods across the Township as efforts are made to replace shade trees that have been lost due to age and disease.   This successful program is a great example of what a public/private partnership can accomplish in Radnor.

Township workers planting trees

The Route 100 trolley right-of-way, which was once used by the ill-fated Philadelphia and Western Railroad, is wide enough to accommodate four tracks.  However, only the two tracks in the northern half of the right-of-way were ever installed.  The Conservancy is pushing for a feasibility study to determine whether it would be possible to build a trail in the southern half of the ROW.

Fifteen months ago the Conservancy teamed up with the Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition, REI, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, the Clean Air Council, the East Coast Greenway Alliance and several other trail advocacy groups to promote the development of a trail which would connect Radnor to downtown Philadelphia and the Schuylkill River Trail,  the East Coast Greenway and John Heinz Refuge.  The coalition has since expanded its vision to connect the western end of the Radnor Trail to the Chester Valley Trail through Tredyffrin Township [see the map of the complete proposed trail below].

The coalition has been meeting with all of the townships through which the proposed trail would pass and other key stakeholders such as SEPTA, which owns the ROW, and PECO, which leases the half of the ROW where the trail would be located.  Thus far, all stakeholders have given their consent to performing the feasibility study.

The next step is to raise the money for the study, estimated to cost $150,000.  The coalition is looking at several potential sources of funding, including grant money which is now available for trail projects.

It is urgent that you make your voice heard before this opportunity is lost forever.  Don’t let the voices of opposition and false data be the only voices heard by our township officials.

A very vocal small group of citizens have organized to oppose the purchase of any portion of the property, primarily based on flawed tax projections that simply are NOT true. They are making their voices heard through an organized opinion letter writing campaign to the local newspapers and conversations with township officials at Listening Sessions with Township Manager, Bob Zienkowski.

There are two easy ways you can be heard:

1. Attend a Listening Session with the township manager and tell him you support the use of public money to buy and preserve open space at Ardrossan.  These are very informal, drop in sessions (no cameras, no microphones) where you can, in ten minutes, express your support for the public preservation of a portion of Ardrossan.
   Listening sessions are being held the following dates and times:
• Thursday, September 22nd, 9-10:30 am; 1:30-3 pm
• Saturday, September 24th, 8:30-10:30 am
2. Email our Township Manager and express your support for the use of public money to purchase a permanent asset that will enhance the economic and environmental health as well as the quality of life in Radnor township forever. His email address is rzienkowski@radnor.org.

Speak up before this opportunity is lost forever.