Senate panel scrutinizes easements

Senate panel scrutinizes easements: "Senate panel scrutinizes easements
By BRODIE FARQUHAR
Star-Tribune correspondent Wednesday, June 08, 2005



LANDER -- Before this morning's U.S. Senate Finance Committee public hearing on charitable land donations and the federal tax code, the committee released an extensive report Tuesday about past business practices of The Nature Conservancy, reforms developed by the conservancy and Finance Committee staff recommendations.

The report, today's public hearing and recommended reforms were sparked by a May 2003 investigative series by the Washington Post, which documented questionable practices and tax breaks afforded to conservancy board members and their associates.

The three-day series explored the conservancy's cozy relationships with Fortune 100 corporations, as well as tax breaks enjoyed by favored friends.