Protecting Park and Natural Areas without Purchasing Them: A Review of Methods Adopted in the USA

The paper focuses on the three main methods which are most commonly employed to protect park and natural areas in the U.S.A. without purchasing full ownership rights. Three main zoning mechanisms which are used to create these opportunities are discussed. They are: planned unit and cluster developments, incentive zoning, and transferable development rights. Differential Taxation Assessment is described. This is used by all states and contributes to protection by assessing land at current use value rather than at market value. An assessment of the potential influence of easements considers the variety of types of easements, the benefits and costs associated with easements, and strategies for expediting easement acquisition. The paper concludes with examples of pard protection which have incorporated combinations of these methods. Presses de l'Universit du Qubec.

Protecting Park and Natural Areas without Purchasing Them: A Review of Methods Adopted in the USA Academic Article