Alternative Land Use Services

WHEREAS natural areas on farm properties outside the Agricultural Land Reserve are taxed at a high rate, despite the ecological benefits produced by these areas such as carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat and water cleansing; AND WHEREAS the concept of Alternative Land Use Services provides farmers with economic incentives to manage their properties in an environmentally sustainable manner: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities recommend that the Province consider the concept of Alternative Land Use Services when addressing farmland taxation status.