How will a gas lease affect ag-land preservation, conservation easements and other programs?
State law allows gas resource development without adversely impacting state agriculture preservation programs as long as no permanent buildings are constructed. The same holds true with the federal program CREP as long as the land is restored back to a farmable condition. A landowner must repay CREP money on any land that is not restored. The tax program Clean and Green Legislation is currently being amended. Prior to signing a lease, the landowner may negotiate for the company to pay any rollback taxes owed the government.
