32 V.S.A. § 3751 — Statement of purpose

The purpose of this subchapter is to encourage and assist the maintenance of Vermont’s
productive agricultural land and forestland; to encourage and assist in their conservation
and preservation for future productive use and for the protection of natural ecological
systems and services, including air and water quality, wildlife habitat and wildlife
corridors, enhanced biodiversity, and forest health and integrity; to prevent the
accelerated conversion of these lands to more intensive use by the pressure of property
taxation at values incompatible with the productive capacity of the land; to achieve
more equitable taxation for undeveloped lands; to encourage and assist in the preservation
and enhancement of Vermont’s scenic natural resources; to assist in climate adaptation
and mitigation; and to enable the citizens of Vermont to plan its orderly growth in
the face of increasing development pressures in the interests of the public health,
safety, and welfare. (