Congress clamps down on land-conservation tax deals

The legislation is backed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers including Sen. Ron Wyden (D., Ore.), Sen. Steve Daines (R., Mont.), Rep. Mike Kelly (R., Pa.) and Rep. Mike Thompson (D., Calif.). The lawmakers say they are trying to preserve the deduction for conservation easements while rooting out abuse. They are backed by mainstream conservation groups such as the Land Trust Alliance and Ducks Unlimited.