The Ecological Tax Exemption provides communities with a mechanism to create strong incentives to enhance the quality of life, using the same framework as the Residential Tax Exemption. It is often argued that residents take better care of their homes and are more engaged in the community, and that, therefore, the Residential Tax Exemption should be used to help people become and stay homeowners. The Ecological Tax Exemption similarly rewards property owners who improve the environment and the community’s quality of life.
We are crossing a tipping point with the removal of too much vegetation and soil, replacing it with hardscape and heat islands. When we prevent the land from holding rainwater that falls on it, not only do people downstream face stormwater issues, but the land itself also loses the moisture needed to support life during dry spells.
Slowing water down and allowing it to stay longer in the land promotes healthier soils, which support increased plant photosynthesis and greater biodiversity of flora and fauna. During dry periods, more water in the ground recharges rivers and provides the moisture plants need for transpiration, helping cool neighborhoods. Water is a limited, cyclical resource. The more moisture in the ground, the less greenhouse gas in the atmosphere because water makes up 80% of greenhouse gases, and carbon dioxide 11%.
It is time to consider implementing an ecological tax exemption that offers clear financial incentives for property owners to maintain or create more soil, diverse native plants, rain gardens, Miyawaki forests, and greener, cooler landscapes.
What is the Ecological Tax Exemption?
The language of HD.3383 directly parallels the Residential Tax Exemption. Rather than the exemption being for owner-occupancy, the exemption is for satisfying local ecological needs, as follows:
provided, however, that such an exemption shall be applied only to parcels to the extent that such parcels satisfy the requirements for stormwater management, climate change adaptation, native-species habitat, vegetated permeable surface, water retention, water quality, soil health, foliage and tree cover as specified by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and approved by the secretary of that office.
We value water and nature. HD.3383 directly addresses this need by enabling municipalities to provide a financial incentive through a revenue-neutral Ecological Tax Exemption.
Please take a moment to tell your state representative how your municipality would benefit from the Ecological Tax Exemption, as we are advancing legislation town by town.
