Land Lines October 2013
Coastal Zone Management
As climate change heightens the threat of hurricanes in the Caribbean, Barbados is proving to be the region’s leader in integrated coastal zone management—leveraging foresight, international support, and local capacity to fortify the coastal zone both in the water and on dry land.
Leasing Renewable Energy on State on State Trust Lands in the Intermountain West
State trust lands in the Intermountain West could provide the grounds for renewable energy development that would fund education and other public institutions. Wind, solar, and geothermal plants in Montana, Utah, and Arizona provide learning opportunities across state lines.
Tax Incentives for Open Space Preservation
Twenty-three states offer preferential property tax assessment of open space, to protect the environmental benefits and amenities of undeveloped land. This article compares policy differences from state to state and weighs their potential societal rewards and costs.
This issue looks at integrated coastal zone management tactics of Barbados; state-owned lands in the U.S. Intermountain West that offer opportunities for education-related funding and renewable energy creation; and the advantages and costs of property tax assessments that are intended to help preserve open space.