Power lines run thru part of the Farm. Though they take up eight acres of land, Mr. Freeman still must pay property tax on this part of his land that he cannot use. State property tax laws vary so this is not always the case.

The power line right-of-ways do, however, create valuable edge habitat for wildlife that thrive in the forest/field boundary.

In legal terms the powerline cut is known as easement. An easement provides a transfer of rights - in this case the use of the land for a powerline from the landowner to a power company. Other types of easements include roads or driveway right-of-ways and ones for conservation. Conservation easements are a legal agreement whereby the landowner sells or donates the development rights to a government agency or land trust. Conservation easements may provide tax benefits and ensure that ones land remains forested and not converted to other uses.

Key Points

• Tax laws vary from state-to-state
• Valuable edge habitat
• For more information on edge habitat, try Larry D. Harris' 'The Fragmented Forest'.