The research consists of two separate studies: A history and analysis of wetlands policy development and an analysis of the North Carolina Conservation Tax Credit program (NC CTCP). The analysis of the NC CTCP included a comparison of conservation easement grantors with other nonindustrial private forest landowners.; A history of the development of United States wetlands policy was completed and evaluated according to Lindblom's theory of policy development. Wetlands policy in the United States developed from a number of factors including agricultural policy, flood control policy, public health policy, conservation policy and water pollution control policy. The legislation affecting wetlands developed incrementally from other policies and continues to develop incrementally in the 1990s.; As a result of efforts to protect natural landscapes, including wetlands, North Carolina created a Conservation Tax Credit Program (NC CTCP) in 1989. Landowners who donated land or property rights for conservation protection purposes are eligible for a tax credit based on the assessed value of the donation. An analysis of program participation was carried out to determine the range of the program. By early 1999, 223 conservation deeds have been recorded in the NC CTCP. Approximately 50,000 acres of land have been donated to the conservation agencies or to local or state governments for conservation purposes. Of the 223 conservation deeds, 157 were fee simple donations of land, 16 were bargain sales, and 45 were conservation easements. It appeared that participation in the program increased following the two times the amount of the tax credit was raised.; Landowners who granted conservation easements on more than 10 acres of land were surveyed to determine how they varied from other nonindustrial private forest landowners (NIPFs). Using selected NIPF studies, a comparison was made of the demographics of the populations as motivations for owning and managing forestland. Conservation easement grantors were found to be better educated than other NIPFs and to have higher incomes. Grantors were more likely to have bought their property rather than inherited it. The motivation for granting easements was primarily for land protection. Goals for forestland ownership and management were similar to other landowners. Timber production was a major goal for very few landowners.
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