Last week, Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 586, the reauthorization of the Georgia Conservation Tax Credit (GCTC). After lapsing in December of last year, the tax credit will become active again on June 1, to last through December of 2026. The bill authorizes tax credits of up to $4 million for qualified private conservation projects.
“The Georgia Conservation Tax Credit has been instrumental in helping private landowners protect critical water resources, wildlife habitat, and productive working rural lands,” said Shane Wellendorf, the board chair of the Association of Georgia Land Trusts.
In addition to the tax credit for conservation projects, landowners are also eligible for a credit on a conservation donation of property, whether through “fee-simple” transactions – basically transferring ownership – or through a permanent conservation easement on the property. Unlike some states on the other side of the Mississippi River, nearly all of the land in Georgia is owned privately, more than 90 percent. The credit also allows for increased conservation without increasing the management burden on the Department of Natural Resources or other state agencies. The credit has so far supported natural resources including wetlands, habitat for native wildlife and plants, working lands like agriculture and timber, as well as outdoor recreation areas. Hundreds of thousands of acres of natural or working land has been preserved over the last twenty years thanks to the tax credit.
“We would like to thank and commend our legislators for their efforts to ensure that this vitally important conservation incentive was reauthorized,” said Katherine Moore, president of the Georgia Conservancy. “Georgia’s natural resources have a brighter future.”
The Association of Georgia Land Trusts and the Georgia Conservancy both pushed hard for the legislation, in addition to other conservation groups. Both groups are adept at working in a political environment like Georgia that leans into market-oriented solutions for environmental issues and the tax credit is another good example of pragmatic solutions for landowners and conservationists. Both groups also wanted to thank the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Sam Watson (R-172 Moultrie) and Sen. Steve Gooch (R-51 Dahlonea), as well as Governor Kemp, Rep. Jon Burns (R-159 Newington), Rep. Chuck Hufstetler (R-52 Rome), and House Speaker David Ralston (R-7 Blue Ridge).
“Georgia’s agriculture assets, beautiful natural wonders, and great outdoors have given both my family and many others a livelihood and good memories,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “We’re not only proud to be champions of our state’s thriving agriculture and related industries and natural resources, we’re also dedicated to ensuring future generations are able to enjoy them as well. The bills I signed into law will help us treat the forestry industry the same way that we do agriculture as well as protect hunting, fishing, and conservation land, and more.
To learn more about the tax credit and perhaps determine whether your property is eligible, see here: https://gadnr.org/GCTCP
