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March 2001 Page 5 farmland preservation report attorneys for USDA would approve the request from some Maryland localities and land trusts to use point systems already in use-for farmland programs and approved bystafe agencies. The issue was discussed at a workshop sponsored by the Maryland program to review the federal program's recent request for proposals (see FPR, February). Coleman said her department is confident in systems in use in Maryland, but that applicants from other states would have to submit formulas "for review on a state -by -state basis... we want to make sure they meet federal appraisal standards." According to Coleman, the Department of Agri- culture determined that legal guidelines for the Farmland Protection Program did not require tradi- tional appraisals. More than 550 growth topics on ballots last fall Washington, D.C. — Voters in 38 states passed about 72 percent of more than 550 growth - related ballot meas- ures in November 2000, according to a study released by The Brookings Institution this month. Co- author Phyllis Meyers of State Resources Strategies said the measures covered the whole range of growth issues, including transportation, infrastruc- ture financing and open space protection. 'We wanted a full portrait of the issue. It was a formidable search." While farmland preservation was not the focus of the study, Myers said it was apparent that open space protection "was the hottest issue." Myers also said that incentives -based initiatives as well as regulatory approaches were more prevalent then in past years. Also in evidence was a willingness to change the way development occurs, she said. The study provides a full listing of the ballot measures and analyzes major proposals and implica- tions for future policy and activity among states and localities. The study, "Growth at the Ballot Box: Electing the Shape of Communities in November 2000 is available online at www.brook.edu /urban. The study was co- authored by Robert Puentes of The Brookings Institu- tion Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy. continued from page 4 missioner from Cecil County. Scheidt said he had mixed feelings about such a move, which he said would result in "inconsistent settlements.." "Obviously it would be quicker, but I think it will be more costly," Scheidt said, noting that counties would use "private attorneys." . Scheidt indicated county -level handling of documents could lead to problems. Keeping all processes at the state level, "we know what the risks are;' he said. Opposition to moving responsibilities to counties came as well from the only county ad- ministrator present, Tammy Holden Scheidt, wife of executive director Paul Scheidt. "The counties would definitely want more money to do it," she said. But her strongest oppo- sition had to do with the program remaining fully a state - administered program. Easement offers, she said, "should all be reviewed in the same manner." ..Other changes under review by staff, Scheidt said, include obtaining certification of funds from the comptroller based on anticipated revenue and making round -one offers as soon as appraisals are received for each county, possibly reducing the time to settlement by two months. Withdrawing easement offers when landown- ers take too long to return needed information such as signatures and surveys, and having landowners submit applications directly to coun- ties instead of the state, are also options. Also, appraisers could be required to return appraisals within 45 to 60 days instead of the current 90 days allowed. "Delays are often the landowners' fault," Scheidt said. The subcommittee briefly reviewed county -ad- ministered programs, including those in Howard, Harford and Montgomery counties, and the program of Pennsylvania, which surpassed Mary- land in preserved acres this past fall. Information about those programs was provided in materials from the Maryland Department of Planning. The please turn to page 6