Dozens of Virginia’s localities receive a portion of $ 2.5 million in forest resistance – 29 news

Charlottesville, Washington (WVIR) – the State Department of Forestry will allocate $ 2.5 million to 70 localities in Virginia.

The Forest Resistance Fund created by the State Government in 2022 distributes money in cities and cities that offer their inhabitants the opportunity to pay their taxes on ownership based on the value of using their land rather than their market value.

According to the Ministry of Forestry, this usually means landowners who pay less than ownership taxes. Forest Sustainability Services are intended to compensate for taxation with a precipice in revenue that taxation creates for the counties and cities.

“Two -thirds of Virginia is a forest,” said Charlottesville Forest Research Management, Dean Kumbia. “And the greater part of it is owned by private landowners.

Cumbia describes it as a domino effect.

“They have to pay taxes every year and this can be a burden for some land owners,” Kumbia said. “This may be a reason for them not being able to preserve their land. If they can’t keep their land, they must sell it. If it goes for use other than forest, we lose these benefits. “

According to the Ministry of Forestry, Albemarle County will receive $ 100,000 from the Fund, Augusta County $ 56,868, Fluvanna $ 51 704 and Louisa $ 86,592.

These funds can be used for three things: public education, outdoor recreation and forestry protection.

Kumbia says this investment will benefit everyone.

“Keep the forest like a forest, so landowners can continue their own advantage and provide benefits for them,” Kumbia said, “but for all Virginia citizens.”

The Ministry of Forestry will collect data from these cities and counties to see how they use the funds to make a change.

“We are conducting a survey to say, how will you use it,” Kumbia said. “So, we will get feedback from the counties and localities how they use it.”

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