PROPERTY TAXES PAID BY FWP IN 2008

OVER ONE HALF MILLION DOLLARS

Critics of any Fish Wildlife and Parks land acquisitions are quick to argue that they take property off the tax rolls . This is almost entirely untrue . FWP continues to pay taxes just like any other property owner . This includes Fishing Access Sites , Wildlife Management Areas and , after 2009, on State Parks. (See note below.)

In 2008 these taxes amounted to $522,655 - over one half million dollars. This includes payments to the following counties:

Lake County - $74,047
Anaconda - Deer Lodge County - $56,729
Yellowstone County - $49,993
Lewis and Clark County - $47,553
Gallatin County - $40,575
Flathead county - $27,628
Teton County - $26,061
Missoula County - $25,577
Beaverhead County - $25,063
Madison County - $18,449
Cascade County - $15,192
Powell County - $12,661
Fergus county - $10,381

This is only a partial list. Just about every county received payments.

The law which covers these payments states "Before November 30 of each year, the treasurer of each county in which the department owns any land shall describe the land, state the number of acres in each parcel, and request the drawing of a warrant to the county in a sum equal to the amount of taxes which would be payable on county assessment of the property were it taxable to a private citizen." (MCA 87-1-603 ) THIS WOULD APPEAR TO BE PRETTY HARD TO MISUNDERSTAND !

The funds for these taxes come entirely from hunters and anglers - either general license dollars or taxes on sporting goods. ( Even though the public at large gets great benefit from these areas.) FWP acquisitions get a lot of press, but they are minimal in comparison to private purchases of recreational or high amenity property. Total sales of recreational property are estimated to be upwards of $300 million to $500 million per year. It is rumoured that one broker alone sold over one hundred million dollars of recreational property in southeast Montana last year.

Technical note; Prior to 2009, FWP paid fees on State Parks and was exempt only for the taxes on the property and improvements. However, with the passage of HB674 in 2009, FWP will pay full taxes and fees on acquired State Parks.

related articles I-161 Guest Opinion ( 08/18/2010 )   Citizen Initiative 161 is sponsored by Montana resident hunters, tired of battling negative impacts caused by the current law guaranteeing Montana hunting outfitters 7,800 non-resident clients. These impacts include the loss of hunting access and the privatization of our wildlife. Sixteenmile Creek Acquisition Project ( 07/06/2010 )   Sixteenmile Creek Acquisition Project Needs Support and Comment. Two members of Public Land/Water Access Assoc.

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