Agenda - 08-31-2006-2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Attachment 3 a3 5. A schedule for implementing the plan and identification for possible funding sources for long -term support. Much of this information already exists for Orange County and is incorporated into the Lands Legacy Program document, Lands Legacy Action Plans, a variety of documents and reports on agriculture over the years, or is a part of ongoing work in agricultural economic development. However, in order to meet with the spirit of these provisions, some collating and updating of information is needed, specifically to address items 1 -3 above and incorporate the work toward item 4 and 5 into one document. On a related note, the legislation from 2005 also includes a potential new category of Voluntary Agricultural Districts (the non- binding, non - purchase farmland protection program in existence in Orange County since 1992). As part of this, the N.C. Department of Agriculture is looking at possible term conservation easements, which expire at the end of a set period of time. To date, the County and other easement holders have negotiated and hold perpetual easements. The Agricultural Preservation Board will soon be taking up these potential new "Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural Districts" provisions, and developing recommendations regarding any suggested changes to the local Voluntary Farmland Protection Program ordinance. This review is not directly related to the Lands Legacy Program and its ongoing farmland conservation easements activity, but the results of the review will be analyzed at a future date. Recommendation Staff proposes to create an Appendix to the Lands Legacy Program Policy document (adopted April 4, 2000) that coordinates the needed information in a manner that satisfies the legislation's description of a Countywide Farmland Protection Plan. The appendix would be reviewed by the Agricultural Preservation Board, the Soil and Water District Board, and the Economic Development Commission, and then presented to the Board of Commissioners for inclusion as an appendix in the Lands Legacy Program document, in the first half of calendar year 2007.