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52 <br /> FINAL DRAFT-5-27-26 <br /> Best Management Practices: Standards for best management practices may be <br /> developed for agricultural areas that are retained as common space in any <br /> development. <br /> Fig. 6. Avoidance, Minimization and Mitigation Framework for Farmland Stewardship (CALAFCO, <br /> 2018) <br /> m 'O <br /> Refers to steering growth away from agricultural lands <br /> using options such as an alternative project location or <br /> a smaller scale project in order to avoid conversion of <br /> (L a, agricultural lands.This is the best strategy when there <br /> +pt +- is availability of vacant or underutilized lands within <br /> L to <br /> O O ` • • existing boundaries and there is no demonstrated <br /> need for expanding boundaries based on more <br /> Impacts efficient development patterns. <br /> Refers to considering alternatives in the location, <br /> siting and scale of a project;utilizing design features <br /> such as agricultural buffers,and/or adopting <br /> regulations such as Right to Farm ordinances,in order <br /> to minimize conversion and impacts on/conflicts <br /> Minimize with,agricultural operations or uses.This strategy is <br /> used to maximize preservation when there are <br /> Impactssignificant constraints to entirely avoiding impacts. <br /> Refers to measures meant to compensate for the <br /> tU tU conversion of agricultural lands,such as dedication of <br /> i agricultural conservation easements,payment of In- <br /> ca lieu fees,or purchase and transfer of agricultural <br /> 4. <br /> Mitigate <br /> lands,to an agricultural conservation entity.This <br /> W d- strategy is used as a last resort and only when all <br /> NImpactsefforts to avoid and minimize conversion of <br /> tv � <br /> agricultural lands have been exhausted. <br /> J J <br /> *The National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) describes Prime Farmland as of major <br /> importance in meeting the Nation's short- and long-range needs for food and fiber. Because the <br /> supply of high-quality farmland is limited, the USDA recognizes that responsible levels of <br /> government, as well as individuals, should encourage and facilitate the wise use of our Nation's <br /> prime farmland. . .. Prime farmland, as defined by the USDA, is land that has the best <br /> combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, <br /> and oilseed crops and is available for these uses. It could be cultivated land, pastureland, <br /> forestland, or other land, but it is not urban or built-up land or water areas. The soil quality, <br /> growing season, and moisture supply are those needed for the soil to economically produce <br /> sustained high yields of crops when proper management, including water management, and <br /> acceptable farming methods are applied. In general, prime farmland has an adequate and <br /> 50 <br />