Land Lines October 2013
Features
The Barbados Model
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.
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.
Examining the Costs and Benefits of Preferential Assessment
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.