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32 <br />operations. If no. new construction takes place, but existing <br />buildings are kept up, the values will remain at high but <br />relatively constant levels. If buildings are neglected or removed, <br />the values will decrease. <br />On -Site Investment <br />Greater than 15 percent increase <br />assessed valuation <br />5 -15 percent increase in assessed <br />No change in assessed valuation <br />5 percent increase or decrease <br />5 -15 percent decrease in assessed <br />Greater than 15 percent decrease <br />assessed valuation <br />Points <br />in 10.0 <br />valuation 7.5 <br />less than 5.0 <br />valuation 2.5 <br />in 0.0 <br />The points assigned above were based on a survey of farms in <br />each of the seven townships in Orange County. Changes in the <br />assessed valuation of farm buildings from 1986 to the present <br />ranged generally from a seven percent decrease to a 16 percent <br />increase. The time period included a revaluation of all real <br />property in 1987, and tax listings were checked to determine if new <br />construction had been added in the last five years. <br />Conservation Plan Implementation <br />Loss of topsoil through erosion is a serious threat to the <br />productivity of agricultural lands. Erosion, soil that washes or <br />blows off the land, also pollutes adjacent waters, depositing <br />sediments, nutrients, pesticides, and animal wastes into rivers and <br />lakes. <br />To reduce topsoil loss and pollution, the Soil Conservation <br />Service (SCS) has provided conservation planning assistance to <br />local farmers and landowners. In addition, the N.C. Agriculture <br />Cost -Share Program provides incentive payments and cost - sharing <br />funds to farmers who install Best Management Practices (BMPs) such <br />as strip cropping, filter strips, water control structures, grassed <br />waterways, and animal waste management systems. <br />For many.years, SCS erosion control planning has focused on <br />the goal bf reducing average annual erosion to established soil <br />loss tolern <br />ace or "T" levels. These levels indicate the maximum <br />average annual-- erosion which can be allowed and still maintain the <br />soil's long -term productivity. A farmer's success in reducing <br />erosion to established T levels thus provides a basis for assigning <br />points for implementation of a conservation plan. <br />Conservation Plan Implementation Points <br />More than 70% reduction in soil loss 10.0 <br />50%-70% reduction in soil loss 7.5 <br />30 % -50% reduction in soil loss 5.0 <br />10 % -30% reduction in soil loss 2.5 <br />Less than 10% reduction in soil loss 0.0 <br />