A Brief Agrarian History of the Cottonwood River Watershed in Southwestern Minnesota
The Cottonwood River Watershed is located in southwestern Minnesota, draining 1,310 square miles of land within the Minnesota River Basin. The watershed is comprised of parts of Brown, Cottonwood, Lyon, Murray, and Redwood Counties. This essay gives a brief account of the initial European settlement of the area and the establishment of the current political boundaries.
MORE SOCIAL CAPITAL, LESS EROSION: EVIDENCE FROM PERU'S ALTIPLANO
The debate over sustainable intensification has hinged on private incentives to abate land degradation. Largely missing is the role of social capital in both creating incentives and removing barriers to soil conservation. Yet soil conservation embodies the externality problem that bedevils so many aspects of natural resource management. Action by one farmer to reduce water or wind erosion may benefit neighboring fields by slowing the rate of water or wind movement across those lands. Yet these benefits are not fully captured by the farmer making the conservation investment.
PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS (PDR) PROGRAMS: HAVE WE PAID TOO MUCH?
While many states such as Vermont have adopted the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) programs to protect farmland, few studies have examined how the prices of such development rights are determined and whether the prices are close to the market value. Using data from the state of Vermont, this study first examines the effects of development restrictions on the market price of rural and semi-rural properties and then addresses the question of whether the prices paid for development rights are close to the market value.
Proportional real estate tax application problems in Latvia
Writing topics actuality is based on the government proposed property tax increase of 2011 residential tax. Author of the article concludes that till now disproportionately spacious cadastral value range and its inadequacy towards resident income has restricted to establish a fair personal income and property tax proportionate to the objective of appropriate tax. Just now Latvia is experiencing huge increase in amounts of real estate tax debt and number of debtors.
Explaining Changes of Property Rights among Afar Pastoralists, Ethiopia
This study aims at explaining property right changes in selected areas of Afar region in Ethiopia. Based on primary and secondary data, explanations are given on the existing types of land use arrangements and how the traditional communal rights of pastoralists have been changing. Both communal rights and individualized rights exist the latter being introduced with the establishment of commercial farms.
DOES PROXIMITY TO A GOLF COURSE MATTER?
In this study, we augment an earlier study by estimating the effect of golf courses on housing values using a data set of single-family homes sold between 1994 and 2000. We find that there is generally a positive impact on houses proximate to open space (golf courses and neighborhood parks). The value of proximity to a golf course is found to be greater than figures reported in previous studies. Proximity impacts extend beyond abutting properties and go as far as to those within almost a quarter of a mile.
Land Distributional and Income Effects of the Chinese Land Rental Market
Using panel data of 450 farm households for the period of 1996-2001 in Zhejiang, China, we measured land distributional effect and income effect of the land rental market. It is found that the rental market had contributed for a less equal land distribution among the households, and for the concentration of land to households with higher efficiency.
Parametric and Non-Parametric Estimation of Soil Conservation Impact on Productivity in the Northwestern Ethiopian Highlands
The impact of fanya juu bunds on productivity in a high rainfall area in the Ethiopian highlands is analyzed based on data from a cross section household survey with multiple plot observations per household. The results from parametric and non-parametric analysis indicated that productivity from conserved plots was lower than from non-conserved plots. The Oaxaca-Blinder productivity decomposition results showed that there was little difference in plot characteristics between conserved and non-conserved plots, however the returns to those characteristics were higher for non-conserved plots.
FACTORS INFLUENCING SUPPORT FOR RURAL LAND USE CONTROL : A REPLY
The comment indicated that landed wealth (acres owned) should be included as an explanatory variable in the zoning referendum estimation. Land can be constructed as an indicator of wealth that may be impacted by land use controls. The reply focuses on study site issues as well as theoretic, empirical, and institutional/social considerations. Responses to land use control referenda depend on the land considered, attitudes toward land use planning and socio-demographic factors, including income.
EXAMINING CHANGES IN LAND USE AFTER THE SALE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS ON FARMS IN RHODE ISLAND
Purchasable development rights (PDR) programs are generally considered to provide permanent protection of farmland because development rights are separated from the land in perpetuity. However, the programs do not require that farming activities be maintained in the future. Farming may be discontinued on PDR parcels due to changes in economic conditions or if the parcels are converted to non-farm, rural estates. Such changes may reduce the flow of public goods that citizens seek to obtain by implementing PDR programs.
Determinants and Effects on Property Values of Participation in Voluntary Cleanup Programs: The Case of Colorado
State Voluntary Cleanup Programs (VCPs) were established starting in the 1990s to encourage the environmental remediation and redevelopment of contaminated properties. These programs typically offer liability relief, subsidies and other regulatory incentives in exchange for site cleanup. This paper asks three questions: First, what type of properties are attracted to voluntary cleanup programs? Second, what is the interaction between these state programs and other incentives for remediation and economic development, such as Enterprise Zone and Brownfield Zone designations?