OCR Text |
Show February 15 03.qxd 12/7/2021 Volume VII Issue IX 3:36 PM Page 3 THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 3 February 15, 2003 LAND TRUST cont. from page 1 Valley. Granting the easement was Marian Fowers Martin, representative for the Viola J. Fowers Estate. Currently called the Viola J. Fowers Farm, the property is situated approximately ten miles east of Ogden, and two miles southwest of Huntsville. The north boundary of the property borders Pineview Reservoir. The south boundary extends into the southern foothill slopes of Ogden Valley. The Viola J. Fowers Farm is one of the original and few-remaining historical farms left in Ogden Valley. It has been held in ownership by the same family for over 100 years, and has been operated continuously as a farm/ranch throughout the same period. The historical family homestead/barn and farmyard areas are intact, and located on the northeast corner of the farm. Ogden Valley and, in particular, the Huntsville area, were settled in 1860. The a farm. The farm was originally homesteaded by Simeon Jensen, who was awarded the property in 1892. Pineview Reservoir was constructed in the 1930’s, taking up a portion of the farm. As time has passed, the historical farms or ranches in the Valley, generally, have been divided, sold, or developed. The Viola J. Fowers Farm is the last remaining, undivided, undeveloped farm on what is now the south side of Pinview Reservoir. The farm is located within identified summer and winter ranges for many species, and serves as a wildlife corridor from the foothills to Pineveiw Reservoir and adjacent properties. The property’s location, plant and animal habitat, open space, and watershed values are considered special features, as is its ability, through preservation, to act as a buffer to further development along the south shore of Pineview Reservoir. Grantor Marion Fowers stated, “The conservation easement is a gift to the com- Sourdough Wilderness Ranch Board of Trustees and Management Staff, from left to right: Norman Sant, Claude Armstrong, T. Neil Hansen, Tim Ford, Randy Andersen, Dan Harris, Joe Parkinson, Rod Talbot, Pat George, and Bardee Gregory. original settlers were primarily farmers and sheep or cattle ranchers. For centuries, Ogden Valley had been used by migrating Shoshone Indians as a hunting ground and summer living area. Farms or ranches were built along the south fork of the Ogden River. The Viola F. Fowers Farm was such munity. The farm is a family tradition. Mother felt very strongly about not allowing it to be developed. The conservation easement is one of the only ways of ensuring this. The open space and scenic beauty of the Valley is what makes this place so special. As development increases, its unique- ness diminishes. Mr. Hasenyager, with the Ogden Valley Land Trust, was very, very helpful, working with the family to customize the easement to fit the criteria we wanted. He was very good to work with.” heirs, but the restrictions stay with the land forever. In most cases, significantly restricting the number of home sites permitted on the land lowers it “market value,” or the price for The Viola J. Fowers farm in Huntsville. Photo courtesy of Paul Muller of Ogden Canyon. A conservation gift of land, or interest in land, is one of the most significant contributions an individual or company can make to the preservation of the Valley’s scenic beauty and exceptional wildlife. Conservation gifts can also create tax benefits for the donor. A conservation easement is a voluntary contract between a landowner and a charitable organization, like the Ogden Valley Land Trust, in which the owner places permanent restrictions on the future use of some, or all, of their property in order to protect scenic, wildlife, or agricultural resources. The restrictions usually limit the number of future home sites, but can, and often do, limit other uses as well. Throughout, the property can remain in private ownership without public access. The goal of the conservation easement is to protect the conservation values of the land. The exact terms of the easement are discussed and agreed to by the landowner and the Trust. The easement is donated by the landowner to the Trust, which then has the authority and obligation to enforce the terms of the easement in perpetuity. The landowner can maintain ownership of the property, and can use it, sell it, or leave it to which it could be sold on the open market. This reduction in value, coupled with the benefits of the scenic, ranching, and/or wildlife resources protected by the conservation easement, may qualify the easement as a charitable gift for tax purposes. A gift of a conservation easement frequently benefits a landowner by creating immediate tax benefits, and by permanently protecting the important conservation qualities of the property, all without the landowner having to give up ownership. With the help of the Trust, a landowner can both protect an individual piece of land, and add to a growing complex of private lands that have been protected in this manner, which will be carefully stewarded by the Trust in perpetuity. The Ogden Valley Land Trust would like to also thank, in addition to those who have donated conservation easements, community members who have supported the Ogden Valley Land Trust through generous financial donations. For more information, or to make a tax deductible donation, contact James Hasenyager, Chair of the Ogden Valley Land Trust Board, at 745-2048, or a land trust board member. |