Agenda - 06-27-2002 - 8o - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 o N RCS Farm Bill 2002 Naanl aaowRS[emervadon Scala Yelled Saks aepammm olA*Waaa Program Description Farmland Protection MWM Program Overview States,units of local government,and non- The Farmland Protection Program(FPP)is a governmental organizations to cooperate in the voluntary program that helps farmers and acquisition of conservation easements or other ranchers keep their land in agriculture and interests on farms and ranches.Once an entity Prevents conversion of agricultural land to is selected,the NRCS State conservationist non-agricultural uses.The program provides enters into a cooperative agreement with,and matching funds to State,Tribal,and local obligates money to,the entity.The entity governments and non-governmental works with the landowner,processes the organizations with existing farmland easement acquisition,and holds,manages,and protection programs to purchase conservation enforces the easement.The Federal share of easements.These entities purchase easements any easement acquisition is limited to a from landowners in exchange for a lump sum maximum of 50 percent of the appraised fair payment,not to exceed the appraised fair market value of the conservation easement.A market value of the land's development rights. contingent right interest in the property must The easements are for a minimum of 30 years, be incorporated in each easement deed for the To date,all easements accepted into the protection of the Federal investment. program have been for perpetuity. Eligibility Authority Land.Entire farms or ranches may be enrolled FPP is authorized by the Food Security Act of in FPP.The farmland or ranch land must 1985,as amended.FPP is reauthorized in the contain at least 50 percent of prime,unique, Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of Statewide, or locally important soil or contain 2002(Farm Bill).The Secretary of Agriculture historic or archaeological sites.These lands delegated the authority for FPP to the Chief of must also be subject to a pending offer from an the Natural Resources Conservation Service eligible entity for the purpose of limiting (MRCS),who is a vice president of the conversion of the land to non-agricultural uses. Commodity Credit Corporation(CCC). Eligible land includes cropland,rangeland, grassland,pasture land,and forest land that is Scope part of an agricultural operation.Incidental FPP is available in all 50 States,the Caribbean land that would not otherwise be eligible may Area(Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands),and be considered eligible as part of a pending the Pacific Basin Area(Guam,American offer,if inclusion would significantly augment Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the protection of the associated eligible farm or Northern Mariana Islands).To participate in ranch land. Farms or ranches with historical or FPP,NRCS State offices must submit a State archaeological resources must meet the FPP per• following criteria: • Be listed in the National Register of Historic Haw FPP Works Places(established under the National The CCC,through NRCS,requests proposals Historic Preservation Act(NHPA), 16 USC. from Federally recognized Indian Tribes, 470,et seq.); or mrr NaWgl Resources Consavadon sm-lea provides leaderamp in apaAnaahip aBat to help people consewa,maimairc arid'anp we ow natreal resources and environment. An Egral Oppaturdty Provider and Employer