Washington- Congressman Joe Pitts (R, PA-16) was honored today by the Brandywine Conservancy for his efforts to conserve farmland and open space.  He was presented with a plaque during a ceremony at a conserved farm in West Marlborough Township.  Congressman Pitts is a leader of Congressional efforts to aid in the conservation of open space.
 
“Preserving our natural environment for future generations is a top priority for me,” said Congressman Pitts.  “The Brandywine Conservancy has been a tremendous partner in my efforts, and I am delighted and humbled to receive this recognition today.”
 
The award reads: “From America’s land trusts and a grateful conservation community to the Honorable Joseph R. Pitts: In appreciation for leadership in renewing the enhanced tax incentive for donations of conservation easements. This important conservation tool helps farmers, ranchers, and other private land owners conserve more than a million acres future generations each year.”
 
Background
 
Congressman Pitts was a primary advocate of language in the 2008 Farm Bill to extending important tax incentives for the preservation of open space.
 
Congressman Pitts is the author and sponsor of the Family Farm Preservation Act, H.R. 1458, a bill to exclude qualifying farmland from capital gains taxes as long as it remains in farming.  Farmers are often “land rich” but “cash poor” and are forced to sell farmland to raise cash for taxes when the land changes hands.
 
Congressman Pitts is a leading advocate of similar relief for farmers from the estate tax (“death tax”).  Farm families face significant estate taxes when land passes from one generation to the next.
 
Other Conservation Achievements:
 
Congressman Pitts lead the effort to save the actual Brandywine Battlefield from development. The Battle of Brandywine was the largest battle of the War for Independence, but remained unprotected until 2001 when Congressman Pitts secured federal funding to purchase development rights for the land.
 
In 2000, Congressman Pitts succeeded in getting Congress to add the White Clay Creek to the national Wild and Scenic Rivers System, making federal resources available to local officials in keeping the watershed pristine.

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