Agenda - 02-16-1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Agriculture Reported Hillsborough Township cropland both harvested and idle, diminished by nearby one-half between the years 1955 and 1977: 1955 1977 Chanse 1955-77 % Chanile Cropland 1 ,842 acres 991 acres -851 acres -42.6% Pasture 1 ,780 acres 1 ,623 acres -157 acres - 8.8% Total 3,622 acres 2,614 acres -1 ,008 acres -27.8% As shown, the cropland base of the Township declined in this period by al - most 1000 acres. In contrast, the pastureland base decreased at a much slower rate of about 9% between 1955 and 1977. This represented a loss of fewer than 160 acres. Part of this loss probably occurred as a consequence of the construction of Interstate 85 through Hillsborough Township. The three townships through which the Interstate was built lost an average of more then 26% of their total crop •and pasture land as compared to an average of 19% loss for the remaining four townships. Such major highway construction can cause farm- land loss through both direct acquisition and through the commercial , in- dustrial and residential development that is stimulated by approved trans- portation access. Much of Hillsborough Township's farmland is concentrated in the portion of the Township north of the intersection of NC 86 and NC 57, As such construction of the Interstate 40 along the proposed corridor will have very limited direct impact on the Township's agricultural land. The indirect affect is likely, however, to increase development pres- sure on farmland, even in this area which is north of the Town of Hillsborough. The greatly reduced travel time from Hillsborough to Research Triangle Park,