Just what we need -- a property tax increase under the guise of an administrative fee!! Where are our House and Senate representatives on this? Should they not have a say? Isn't this also somewhat like changing the rules mid-game? I believe the Indiana Code (IC 14-23-1-1 (12) amended in 1995) cited in the Strategic Plan presentation says that the Division of Forestry can charge fees for specific things REQUESTED by the landowner. So, if I do not want to use the services of the Division of Forestry I should not have to pay them anything.

I would also say that the Indiana General Assembly should modify the current law (I assume it is in the Indiana Code) so that any person who signed up for the CF&W program can drop out of the program without penalty of owing "back taxes" on the acreage put into the CF&W Program. Give them a break. I would guess most have had their land in the program for quite a few years and should be given a “pat on the back” for having maintained acreage in forest and wildlife habitat rather than “slapped” with an additional tax bill each year. Also, there are numerous, well-qualified foresters and biologists in the private sector who can give landowners advice and information on managing and improving their particular CF&W acreage.

Perhaps the comment period should be extended for a few more months beyond tomorrow?