A Feasibility Study for Urban Edge Agricultural Parks - SAGE

enroll agricultural land in the program by entering a ten-year contract in whichthey agree not to develop the land. In exchange, the land is assessed at itsagricultural use value rather than its potential development value. This can savelandowners 20-75 percent in property tax liability each year. The FarmlandSecurity Zone (FSZ) Act, also known as the "Super Williamson Act,” is a twentyyearcontract in which landowners can receive an additional 35 percentreduction in the land's value for tax purposes. Counties are partially reimbursedby the state for lost property tax revenues through the Williamson ActSubvention Fund.• California Department of Water Resources - Flood Protection Corridor Program:provides funds for public agencies and non-profits to acquire easements or landfor flood control, preservation of agricultural land and wildlife habitat protection.Private landowners could access this funding for watershed projects throughparticipation in their RCD or other local organizations. This funding comesthrough the 2000 Water Bond (Proposition 13) passed by California's voters.• Wildlife Conservation Board - Natural Heritage Preservation Tax Credit Program:Through the recently enacted Natural Heritage Preservation Tax Credit Act,landowners are entitled to tax credits of an amount equal to 55 percent of thefair market value for any property rights donated to government agencies orqualified non-profit organizations. The program provides an incentive forlandowners to donate their land (or easements on their property) for the benefitof natural resources. To qualify, properties must help meet the goals of anexisting conservation plan, provide habitat that will improve the recoverypotential for threatened or endangered species, permanently protect agriculturalland, be a water right, or be used for a park or open space for the generalpublic.• Conservation Security Program: this program offers three tiers of “greenpayments” that financially reward farmers and ranchers for good environmentalstewardship. Payments are based on the number and type of conservationpractices that are implemented on a farm or ranch. The maximum payment forTier I practices is $20,000 annually, Tier II is $35,000 and Tier III is $45,000.• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): provides technical,educational, and financial assistance to eligible farmers and ranchers to addresssoil, water, and related natural resource concerns on their lands in anenvironmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner. Participants prepareconservation plans and enter 5-10 year contracts to implement the plans. The2002 farm bill increased annual funding for EQIP to $200 million in 2002, $700million in 2003 and over $1 billion thereafter.• Resource Conservation and Development Program (RC&D): part of the USDA’sRural Development branch. The RC&D program is designed to improve thecapability of state and local government to plan, develop, and carry out resourceconservation programs. Through the program, USDA provides grants for landconservation, community development and environmental protection.DRAFT 1.6.05 88