The Cumberland County Planning Department discussed how land preservation aligns with several county planning initiatives, including the County Comprehensive Plan, Land Partnerships Plan, Clean Water Action Plan, Climate Action Plan, and Hazard Mitigation Plan. The presentation highlighted potential benefits associated with farmland preservation, open space protection, parks, and trails, including protection of water resources, wildlife habitat, flood mitigation, recreation, and quality of life.

The presentation also reviewed county population growth trends, noting that Upper Allen Township experienced significant growth between 2010 and 2020, and described opportunities for municipalities to partner with county, state, and nonprofit organizations to leverage preservation funding.

Silver Spring Township presented its experience implementing a municipal land preservation program after voters approved a dedicated earned income tax referendum in 2013.

The presentation explained:

• Conservation easements as a voluntary legal agreement between landowners and conservation organizations or government agencies.

• How preserved properties remain privately owned while certain development rights are permanently restricted.

• The township’s partnership with Natural Lands, Lancaster Farmland Trust, and Cumberland County.

• Current program accomplishments, including preservation of more than 1,384 acres across 23 properties, with additional acreage currently under consideration.

• Recommendations for communities considering a referendum, including allowing adequate time for public education, coalition building, and community engagement before placing a question on the ballot.

The Open Space Program Handbook, published by WeConservePA, serves as a statewide guide for municipalities interested in creating and managing open space programs.

The handbook explains:

• The legal authority provided under Pennsylvania’s Open Space Lands Act.

• Funding options available to municipalities.

• Best practices for planning, governance, public education, land acquisition, conservation easements, stewardship, and long-term program management.

• The importance of clearly defining community goals before establishing an open space program.

• How dedicated taxes approved by referendum may only be used for authorized open space purposes and generally require voter approval to repeal or modify.

Natural Lands presented an overview of Pennsylvania’s Open Space Lands Act and the legal authority municipalities have to  establish voter-approved dedicated funding for land preservation through Act 153 of 1996.

The presentation included draft examples of potential referendum language, explained that funds could be used for acquiring land and conservation easements, and identified possible preservation priorities such as farmland, forests, wetlands, drinking water resources, wildlife habitat, parks, trails, and recreational lands. It also provided examples of estimated tax impacts, projected revenue, and comparisons with neighboring municipalities’ earned income tax rates.