Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

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Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan Chapter 2. Land Resources Agricultural Land Preservation Agricultural lands are often sought for commercial and residential development. These large areas of open space require less preparation prior to development and are less expensive to develop. According to the USDA’s Natural Resources Inventory conducted between 1992 and 1997, more than 11 million rural areas in the country were converted to a developed use, and over half of that acreage was agricultural land. That conversion translates into a loss of over one million acres of agricultural lands each year, more than 3,250 acres every day (USDA, 2000). Pennsylvania’s farmland, in quantity and land cover, reached its pinnacle in 1900, when two-thirds of the state’s land use was devoted to farming. Since that time, farmland and the number of farms has been steadily declining. As the percentage of farmland declines, the average farm size has increased, which is inline with national trends of fewer, larger farms and an overall reduction in farmland. According to the Brookings Institute, between 1982 and 1997, approximately 1.14 million acres in Pennsylvania were converted from fields, natural lands, and open spaces to other land uses (Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), 2007b). Within McKean and Potter counties, there were 691 farms in 2007, an increase of 13.7 percent from 608 farms in 2002. However, there was a loss of 6,107 acres of agricultural lands, and a 1.8 percent decrease in average farm size. Preserving agricultural lands, such as this corn field, not only protects the land, it preserves the farming culture Pennsylvania has been actively pursuing farmland preservation since 1988, when the Farmland Protection Program was formed by the state legislature. Since its inception, the program has preserved 411,892 acres on 3,745 farms (PDA, 2009). With these impressive numbers, Pennsylvania leads the nation in both acres of farmland and number of farms preserved. To qualify for the Farmland Protection Program, farms must be designated in agricultural security areas (ASA). Agriculture Security Areas The ASA program is administered at the township level. ASAs are rural, agricultural areas targeted for protection from urban development. They receive special consideration regarding local ordinances affecting normal farming practices, state agency rules and regulations, and in eminent domain condemnation proceedings. To be eligible for an ASA designation, at least 250 acres must be nominated. The 250 acres do not have to be contiguous, but individual parcels must be no less than 10 acres. Lands eligible for the program include pasture, hayland, woodland, or cropland (PDA, 2007a). There are approximately 38,289 acres within the project area enrolled in the ASA program. Two ASAs are located within the McKean County portion of the watershed, preserving 6,237 acres. The oldest ASA was established in Liberty Township in 1989 on 3,548 acres. Then in 1995, an additional 2,689 acres were enrolled into the program in Keating Township. Potter County has approximately 32,052 acres enrolled in the program within seven municipalities. Allegany Township has the largest area enrolled in ASA, with 10,380 acres (McKean, personal communication, 2009; Dietrich, personal communication, 2009). Landowners benefit by enrolling their land into an ASA. Benefits include limited government ability to condemn land for roads, parks, and other infrastructure projects; a municipal agreement not to create 2-6
Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan Chapter 2. Land Resources nuisance laws, including odor and noise ordinances that would limit agricultural practices; and eligibility of landowners to sell the development rights of their farm as a conservation easement to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Bureau of Farmland Preservation). A conservation easement is a deed restriction that landowners may voluntarily place on their property with another entity, thus establishing a material interest in the property to protect its natural resources (American Farmland Trust, 1998). With an easement agreement, the owner agrees to authorize the easement holder to monitor and enforce restrictions set forth in the agreement, and it ensures that the property will be protected indefinitely. Clean and Green Program Established by Act 319 in 1974 by the Pennsylvania legislature, the Clean and Green Program preserves agricultural and forestry lands by providing tax benefits through assessing property based on its “use value” as opposed to the normal “market value.” The program is voluntary and administered by individual county assessment offices. Owners who enroll must agree to maintain the land solely for agricultural use, agricultural reserve, or forest reserve use. Agricultural reserve areas are non-commercial, public open space used for outdoor recreation or scenic enjoyment. In order for a property to be eligible for the Clean and Green Program, it must be 10 contiguous acres of farm, forest, or open land. One exception to this requirement is agricultural lands that are less than 10 acres and earn a minimum of $2,000 gross income from farming activities. Agriculture or forest land uses must occur on the land for three years prior to applying for the Clean and Green Program. All land and structures, including residences and agricultural buildings, are considered part of the farmstead, and are eligible for enrollment. Interested landowners should contact their local agricultural preservation board, township office, or county assessment office for an application (Kanagy, 2001; PDA, 2007b). Owners who wish to withdrawal from the program face a rollback penalty for up to seven years—the current year and previous six years. The rollback penalty is the difference between taxes paid and what taxes would have been paid if land was not enrolled in the program. Each year’s rollback is subject to interest at a rate of six percent. Enrollment in the program transfers with ownership of the property, if sold, the new owners could be subject to the rollback penalty if they change the land use (Kanagy, 2001). Approximately 485,724 acres within the project area are enrolled in the Clean and Green Program. There are 124,370 acres enrolled in Potter County, while McKean County enrolls approximately 361,354 acres located on 3,191 parcels (McKean, personal communication, 2009; Dietrich, personal communication, 2009). Land Use The way that land is used within a region reveals a significant amount of information about the region. Land uses provide clues about major economic catalysts in a region, and offer a glimpse into the area’s past. Looking at a region’s land use can even identify trends not seen during everyday observation, such as insights into possible sources of environmental degradation. It is important to continually monitor land-use changes in a region in order to inform decision makers regarding planning and natural resources protection. Coudersport students visiting the Hoffman farm located within the Oswayo Creek subwatershed (Source: Potter County Conservation District) 2-7
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Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

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