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r i farmland rep ort Covering the policies, practices and initiatives that save farmland and open space Since 1990 • Deborah Bowers Editor TWO TYPES OF EASEMENTS OFFERED Florida devising state PDR and TDR programs TALLAHASSEE FL — Under legislation passed last that affect the natural hydrology of the land or that year, Florida is developing a statewide purchase of detrimentally affect water conservation . . . " development rights program and a pilot transfer of "The first priority was to get a document that development rights program localities can opt to addressed agriculture first, and environment sec- use if approved by the state . Both programs are in ond, " said Craig Evans of the Florida Stewardship the early stages of development . Foundation and a member of the rulemaking com - The Rural and Family Lands Protection Act was mittee . Easements in Florida to date, Evans said, enacted without funds, but the legislature called for have been complicated, too restrictive and simply a needs assessment that was recently completed . too frustrating for farmers, even preservation - The report recommends $ 25 million for the pro- minded ones, to take on . gram ' s inaugural year, which would begin this In addition to the two forms of easements , up July . to 10 percent of program funds can be used for two The program is still in rulemaking, with two types of agreements that aim at further protections — committees working on eligibility criteria, ap- one , the Resource Conservation Agreement, could praisal guidelines and acquisition objectives .Ed Koester of the Division of Forestry, Florasoccur in conjunction with an easement, the other, the Agricultural Protection Agreement, as a forerun - ida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Ser- ner to an easement , vices, said the programs of Delaware, Vermont, Under the Resource Conservation Agreement, Pennsylvania and California have been reviewed to landowners could receive annual payments for con- see what aspects might be adaptable to Florida . serving habitat and water resources . The agreements But, he said, agriculture in his state is fairly unique run from five to 10 years, and eligibility begins in its operations and economics , upon settlement of an easement . For this reason , "we ' re not looking to model (Continued on page 2) our program after anybody ' s, " he said . The Rural and Family Lands Program will of- fer more than just one protection arrangement for Florida ' s farmers and landowners . Volume 12 , Number 5 March 2002 In addition to a traditional conservation ease Nor - ment, which could apply environmental restrictions Maryland lot rights in legislature again . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 defined under Florida statute 704 -06, the program Minnesota council to consider regional PDR . 686 . . . . . 5 will offer "Rural - lands -protection easements" Kentucky program gets $ 10 million boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 which would only restrict construction of non - News Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 agricultural buildings , subdivision, and "activities Job Postings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Farmland Preservation Report is published by Bowers Publishing, Inc. 10 times per year . Subscription rate of $ 205 includes index and hotline services. Editorial and circulation offices : 900 La Grange Rd . , Street, Maryland 21154 • (410) 692- 2708 • ISSN : 1050-6373 . © 2002 by Bowers Publishing, Inc. Reproduction in any form , or electronic forwarding of this material without permission from the publisher is prohibited .