Protect Kane County's natural resources

We have the opportunity April 4 to further protect our natural resources by supporting the $50 million open space referendum put forth by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County.

Passing this referendum will allow the district to purchase an additional 2,000 acres of land to add to existing preserves, connect preserves with new trails, and also protect wildlife corridors on land along rivers and streams.

While there is a small cost to preserve this open space, about $1.83 a month, Kane County taxpayers actually will get some tax relief and see their taxes go down about $102 a year on a home valued at $250,000 because of bond payoffs, refinancing and sound fiscal management by the forest preserve commissioners.

That means if this new open space referendum passes, everyone still will see their taxes go down, while also preserving an additional 2,000 acres of protected open space for families and future generations.

Open space has proved to be the ultimate tax cap. Taxes generated from new residential property have often shown to actually result in higher taxes because the revenue generated doesn't cover the impact on increased public services required. The added protected open space will hold down tax increases needed for those additional services. In other words, it's often cheaper for the taxpayers to preserve land than to develop it.

There is beautiful land available throughout Kane County at reasonable prices that would make every dollar spent go further to preserve the environment and improve our quality of life we hold so dear.

Kane County's natural areas can't be replaced.

Mary Ochsenschlager

Sugar Grove