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Hedonic Price Analysis Of Easement Payments In Agricultural Land Preservation Programs

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  • Lovell, Sabrina J.
  • Lynch, Lori

Abstract

More than 110 state, county, and local governments have implemented agricultural land preservation programs to permanently preserve farmland. Assigning a value to the development is difficult and can be costly. Data was collected on 409 preservation transactions from 3 Maryland counties and supplemented with farm level spatial data via GIS. A hedonic price analysis is conducted to determine the marginal return to different farm characteristics using a spatial econometric model to correct for spatial correlation. Parcel characteristics such as distance to city and town, number of acres, prime soils and current land-use explain eighty percent of the variation in easement values. As expected, characteristics perform least well in explaining easement values in transfer of development right programs. This information can help formulate policy decisions and selection criteria to maximize the preservation of the agricultural economy and/or maximize public preferences. A supply curve is constructed using simulations that determine non-participant parcels' easement values. To preserve the remaining eligible acres in these three counties, $167 million would be needed. This method can support programs choosing to use a point system rather than the more costly and difficult to apply standard appraisal methods.

Suggested Citation

  • Lovell, Sabrina J. & Lynch, Lori, 2002. "Hedonic Price Analysis Of Easement Payments In Agricultural Land Preservation Programs," Working Papers 28564, University of Maryland, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:ags:umdrwp:28564
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.28564
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Reeves, Tyler & Mei, Bin & Siry, Jacek & Bettinger, Pete & Ferreira, Susana, 2020. "Effect of working forest conservation easements on surrounding property values," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    4. Ma, Shan & Swinton, Scott M., 2011. "Valuation of ecosystem services from rural landscapes using agricultural land prices," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(9), pages 1649-1659, July.
    5. Anna Alberini & Alberto Longo, 2006. "The Effects of Contamination and Cleanup on Commercial and Industrial Properties: A Hedonic Pricing Model of Maryland and Baltimore City," ERSA conference papers ersa06p413, European Regional Science Association.
    6. Alberto Longo & Anna Alberini, 2006. "What are the effects of contamination risks on commercial and industrial properties? evidence from Baltimore, Maryland," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(5), pages 713-737.
    7. Mashour, Terri & Alavalapati, Janaki & Matta, Rao & Larkin, Sherry & Carter, Doug, 2005. "A hedonic analysis of the effect of natural attributes and deed restrictions on the value of conservation easements," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 7(5), pages 771-781, August.

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