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T j t d f .i .. i 1 � V <br /> This section was created by the Environmental Indicators and Education (EIE) <br /> Committee of CfE to address current and emerging environmental issues in the County. <br /> In the 1999 SOE report, the Environmental Indicators and Education Committee warned <br /> that several critical indicators — among them, a deficit in recreational parks , a decline in <br /> farm and forest lands , and an accelerating population growth — predicted a development <br /> pattern of 2 - acre lots and subdivisions . In thirty years , this trend could result in a County <br /> with little remaining farmland or wildlife habitat and limited recreational alternatives . <br /> The Committee strongly recommended that the County focus on guiding development in <br /> a way that preserves rural character, productive farms , critical habitat, and recreational <br /> open space and wildlife resources . <br /> The recommendations (goals) suggested at that time were the following . <br /> GOAL 1 : IMMEDIATELY ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT A FARMLAND PRESERVATION <br /> PLAN . THE EIE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS IMPLEMENTING BOTH TRANSFER <br /> OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS (TDR) AND PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT <br /> RIGHTS (PDR) FOR MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY IN ACQUISITION METHODS . ALSO <br /> INCLUDE THE LANDS LEGACY PROGRAM AS A PRESERVATION TOOL . <br /> Activities and Progress during 2000 -2001 <br /> The County ' s farmland preservation program is conducted under the auspices of the <br /> Lands Legacy program and is overseen by the Agricultural Preservation Board . The <br /> Lands Legacy Program has already made several key purchases , including the County ' s <br /> first farmland conservation easement purchase in July, 2001 . <br /> Status <br /> This goal is now more appropriately being addressed by the Biological Resources <br /> Committee and Agricultural Preservation Board. This goal will no longer be addressed by <br /> EIE . <br /> 19 <br />