Management in the Proctor, Vt. office of OMYA is interested in providing caver access but approval must come from higher up. Peter Quick is helping the NCC with this, having had former contact with the Proctor officials. On a related note, the Barrack Zourie Foundation has contacted the Florida owner of the Barn entrance of BZ and she seems interested in working out some kind of arrangement with cavers. I suggest we let the BZ Foundation continue these negotiations, and stand ready to assist them if necessary. Doing nothing to protect it may doom your land to development.
Estate taxes are one reason.
Land trusts are experts at helping landowners find ways to protect their land. Donating the easement can result in reduced income tax and estate tax. Land Donation - Donating conservation land to a land trust is a wonderful way to share its beauty with future generations. The donation can even be set up in a way that allows you to continue to live on the land or to receive a life income. Bargain Sale of Land - Selling land to the land trust at less than its fair market value can make it affordable for the land trust and provide tax benefits for the landowner.