HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3717

No. 9

(Senate Joint Resolution No. 34)

A Senate Joint Resolution concerning

Tax Incentives For Woodland

FOR the purpose of requesting the Legislative Policy Committee to
establish a committee to study possible tax incentives for
woodland to encourage certain policies; providing for the
composition and chairman of the committee; requiring a
certain report by a certain date; and providing for the
staffing of the committee.

WHEREAS, The Maryland General Assembly's concern over the
preservation of Maryland's estimated 2.6 million acres of prime
and productive forestland prompted a 1981 legislative directive
that the Department of State Planning undertake a comprehensive
review of the rate by which forestland in Maryland was being
converted for development purposes;

WHEREAS, The Department of State Planning finalized a report
entitled "Agricultural and Forestland Preservation Study" in 1984
that indicated a net loss of approximately 37,000 acres of
forestland in the State between 1973 and 1981;

WHEREAS, The General Assembly was informed that on a
statewide basis, forestland that was lost provided over 32,000
acres of land to accommodate new development while the remaining
portion was cleared for agricultural purposes;

WHEREAS, Population growth, economic development, and
escalating land prices will continue to place tremendous
development pressure on Maryland's remaining forestland;

WHEREAS, The preservation of forestland and the existence of
well managed forests in the State provide widespread public
benefits, including:

(1)  clean water enhancement;

(2)  wildlife habitats and private outdoor recreation areas;

(3)  increased income of State citizens from the sale of
timber;

(4)  the prevention of floods and the wasting of soil;

(5) the provision of open and wooded areas for use and
enjoyment of State residents and sojourners;