[pct-l] H.R. 1912: Complete America's Great Trails Act

[Ryan Christensen]

I spent some time this afternoon, with a coffee in hand, to browse upcoming legislation that could impact the PCT. I found a big one: 

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1912

Here is the summary:

4/2/2009--Introduced.
Complete
America's Great Trails Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow
a tax credit for the fair market value of any National Scenic Trail
conservation contribution. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to
study and report to Congress on the efficacy of such tax credit in
completing, extending, and increasing the number of National Scenic
Trails.


Allowing a tax credit for a conservation easement clearly holds tremendous potential for the PCT and many other National Scenic Trails! 

More details from two of the sponsors:

http://lummis.house.gov/?sectionid=44&sectiontree=6,8,44&itemid=172

http://connolly.house.gov/?sectionid=44&parentid=6&sectiontree=6,44&itemid=118


I have, and I would encourage everyone on the PCT-L to write to their representatives, particularly if they happen to sit on one of the committees the bill is before:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1912&tab=committees


With the number of people on the PCT-L it seems like we really could make a difference and get this bill passed. This is a great opportunity to really make a lasting impact on the permanent protection of the land the trail goes through. 

ProDeal