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..,," ~ <1"q 2 if) \.' ~J j. .~ 00 \ '\.0 vY -' ...., . . ThirJ--Apply the terms and conditions to the total scene or to that part " of the scenic area which will effectively control the entire view, Advantages of Scenic Easements The use of scenic casements in furthering recreation and related environ- mental planning goals and ohjectives has a number of advantages. These include reduced initial cost, retention of existing land use patterns, and reduction of the burden on the local tax base. Many landowners are more receptive to granting scenic easements than to other devices for conveying less than full title. Costs--Acquisition costs for scenic easements vary immensely. Some are donated to administering agencies. The costs of some approach the cost of full title acquisition. In general, the cost is dependent on the rights conveyed to the administering agency; the greater the control over the transferred property and its use, the closer the easement acquisition cost comes to the full value of the property. In the State of Wisconsin, where easements are used to preserve scenic values adjacent to the G['eat River Road, costs paid to owners have averaged about $20 per acre, Studies by the State indicate that this ranges between 10 and 15 pe['cent of the full value of the land in question. Recently the National Park Service has acquired scenic easement along the Ozark National Scenic Riverway for values ranging from $15 per acre to $2,000 per acre. Full title acquisitions in the same area have ranged from as low as $38 per acre to a high of $9,750 per acre. Land Use Patterns--One of the key selling points for scenic easements is that they keep existing la~d-use patterns intact, in most instances. This is particularly true in rural areas "here agricultural uses predominate. The landowner is allowed to continue using his land in the same way he has in the past. The major right the landOlmer has conveyed is his right to develop the land for mcre intensive uses. Tax Considerations--A major objection of communities to the acquisition of land by governmental agencies is the reduction of the amount of land that can be taxed to suppo['t local governmental activities. This objection diminishes somewhat "h"n scenic easements are used, since the land remains taxable at a rate applicable to the existing land use. However, the potential increase in tax rate brought about by changing to mo['e intensive land l~.e is no longcr available to the local conununity, Even so, this is more favorable to local governments than fee simple title purchases for public, reel'eational purposes, since all taxable interest in the property is foregone in such instances. Occasionally landowners who arc willing to keep thci I' land in exis ting uses, as contrasted with mo['e intensive development, are beginning to 5 \