Timber harvest applications increase in Pine Plains

PINE PLAINS — Pine Plains residents Carl Popp and Louisa Grassi have submitted applications to harvest timber at their respective properties. Their applications call for special-use permits to proceed with their woodland management plans, as they’re both enrolled under the New York State Department of Conservation (DEC) 480-a Forest Tax Law.

The tax law is designed to encourage owners of large properties to manage their woodlands in exchange for a tax exemption. 

About 63 percent of New York state land is covered with nearly 20 million acres of forests; roughly 14 million acres of that is owned by private parties. According to the DEC, “private forest lands provide many public benefits, including clean air and water, forest products, wildlife habitat, jobs, scenic beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities.” 

In Popp’s case, it’s the first time he’s doing any timber harvesting, as he said his land management plan calls for it this year. That plan calls for taking down more trees than allowed  by the town, hence the need for the special-use permit.

The Planning Board held public hearings on Wednesday, Sept. 14, for Popp and Grassi to learn if it would grant each applicant the special-use permit needed in order to begin harvesting.

A third hearing will be held next month for a timber harvest special-use permit for 1133 Taconic LLC as well. The application for that special-use permit is for real estate tycoon Douglas Durst and his Durst Corporation. More than a decade ago, Durst bought the former Carvel Country Club in hope of developing a luxury home community.

Durst’s property is roughly 2,000 acres, though not all of it will be harvested. Town assessor Jim Mara said the tax implications could be challenging when the town tries to levy taxes.

The usage of the 480-a Forest Tax Law seems to be gaining more popularity, according to Mara.

“It’s becoming more and more common among large land owners, unfortunately,” he said. “And I say unfortunately because it affects the rest of town taxpayers. If someone gets a reduction in their taxes, those taxes still have to be levied, so that becomes a problem for the rest of us — we all pay for that tax exemption.

“This shift in the value of the assessment of large land ends up affecting small property owners,” Mara added.

The Forest Tax Law provides an exemption of 80 percent of the assessed value for that land. The exemption lasts for 10 years, after which property owners can reapply.

Mara stressed that when property owners skirt paying taxes for a decade, it hurts the town coffers.

“The impact is significant,” he said. “I’m not judging them, I’m just saying there are so many of them.”

Property owners, meanwhile, make out better, because they usually make arrangements with loggers to sell the wood as a cash crop.

“They benefit in multiple ways,” Mara said. “They get a tax reduction, they get the IRS benefit and they have a cash crop. It’s a win-win.”

Additionally, property owners have the ability to apply for even more tax breaks, as there is no limit on exemptions.

“I think the key point for me as an assessor is that you are shifting the value of the assessments for large land,” said Mara. “That affects small property owners. We all pay for that.”