Agenda - 09-06-1994 - VII-A - Laserfiche WebLink

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46 What is the LESA System? The method use to evaluate and rank farms is the 'USA or Land Evaluation and Site Assessment system developed by the Soil Conservation Service in the mid-1980's. The system has been used extensively and focuses on the quality or productivity of a given site; e.g., land evaluation, and its continued economic viability; e.g., site assessment. The major advantage of such a system is that the most productive and economically viable farmlands are preserved.A summary of the land evaluation and site assessment factors,and the maximum number of points awarded for each is presented on the following table. LAND EVALUATION& SITE ASSESSMENT (LESA) SYSTEM Evaluation/Assessment Factor Maximum Possible Points AGRICULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE Cropland Productivity 100 Forest Land Productivity 100 Site Assessment Farm Characteristics Size of Farm 15 Percentage of Site Farmed 20 Conservation Plan Implementation 15 Use Compatibility Percentage of Area in Farm Use 20 Land Use Adjacent to Site 10 Distance to Urban Area 20 Total Possible Points 300 PIATURALICULivitai,SIGNIFICANCE Site Assessment Natural Areas/Wildlife Habitats 60 Wildlife Corridors 60 Wetlands 60 Scenic Roads & Viewsheds 60 Historic Sites & Structures 60 Total Points Possible 300 OVERALL SIGNIFICANCE Total Points Possible 600 Would a property owner be required to sell his/her development rights? NO. Participation in the program is completely voluntary. Which land owners would be eligible? Landowners with parcels at least 80 acres in size and in agricultural, forestry or similar open space use would be eligible for participation in the program. Smaller parcels would be considered if they were contiguous to land on which development rights had already been acquired.