Oregon's Local, Regional & State Food & Agriculture Policy - PowerPoint Presentation

OREGON’S LAND USE SYSTEM

& FARMLAND PROTECTION Food Policy from Neighborhood to

Nation National ConferencePortland, Oregon

May 20, 2011

Diversity of Production Over 220 commodities produced in

Oregon. Helps create greater stability

throughout the industry over time. Most of Oregon’s ag products are not

federal commodity crops.

Value of Farm and Ranch Production: 1985 - 2010

Source: Oregon Agricultural Statistics Service.

$4.3 billion

Agriculture’s Economic Contribution to Oregon

10% of state’s economy 80% of ag production leaves the state 40% of ag production leaves the country

(U.S. = 25%). 60% of Port of Portland’s total tonnage of

exports is agriculture = Traded Sector

Elements of Statewide Land Use Planning Program

1. Overarching State Policy: Highest Livability Coordination among levels of government Preserve farm and forest land Contain urban development

2. Institutional Structure: Land Conservation & Development

Commission Department of Land Conservation &

Development Local governments

Elements of Statewide Land Use Planning Program, Cont’d

3. Legal Standards for Local Planning: Statewide Planning Goals (with force

of law) 19 Goals include urban containment,

farmland protection

http://www.oregon.gov/LCD/goals.shtml#Statewide_Planning_Goals


4. Comprehensive Plans: Every city and county must have one Every comprehensive plan must

comply with Goals

5. State Agency Coordination: Agencies must comply with Goals and approved local plans


6. Periodic Review: Cities and counties must update plans periodically

7. Enforcement: LCDC has special powers to enforce Goals Citizens may file appeals State administrative appeals process

8. State Grants and Assistance to Cities & Counties

Nearly $4 million each year

Statewide Planning Goals

Fundamental Strategy embedded in Goals: Contain urban

development within UGBs

Protect natural resources outside UGBs

Use urban land efficiently

Components of Oregon Farmland Protection Program

1. Legislative Policy: Preserve maximum supply of agricultural

land in large blocks Expansion of urban development onto

agricultural land increase conflicts and public service costs

Provide higher level of

protection to more

productive land

Components of Oregon Farmland Protection Program

2. Definition of “Agricultural Land”: Relies on NRCS Soil Capability

Classification System Current land use Capability and suitability Clear and objective

Components of Oregon Farmland Protection Program, Cont’d

3. Limits on Uses in Agricultural Zones: All farmland is protected by “exclusive farm

use zone” (15.5 million acres) Farm Dwellings: must show farm income

level Nonfarm Dwellings: only on poor land; no

conflicts Other Nonfarm Uses: poor land; no

conflicts; many prohibited on more productive land


4. Land divisions regulated by state law Partitions OK, subdivisions are not MPS set at 80 acres for cropland, 160

for rangeland Counties may propose smaller on the

basis of commercial agriculture for the subject area.


5. Limits on Conversion to Urban Uses: All cities must have urban growth

boundary No urban uses outside UGB No urban services outside UGB 20-year supply Urban and rural reserves


6. Tax Policies: Farm Value Assessment (valued at $3.8 Billion to

farmers between 1974 and 2004)

7. Protection for Agricultural Practices: “Right to Farm” Law provides immunity for accepted farming practices from private nuisance actions No local ordinances may limit practices in exclusive farm zones

The Farmland Protection Program is Successful

For each new resident, between 1992 and 1997, Georgia urbanized 1.62 acres, Florida urbanized 1.25 acres, Oregon urbanized 0.56 acres. Arthur Nelson, Georgia Institute of Technology.

Lettman Studies: Program has slowed losses of land, particularly in the areas designated for protection.

Kline Studies: Had the farmland protection program not been adopted in 1975, Oregon would have lost 299,023 acres of farmland by 1994.

Sustainability of the ag land base?1 million acres of ag land is lost to development every year in the US.

Oregon’s land use system helps slow the loss of farmland.

Oregon’s farmland has been protected…with small losses concentrated within areas designated for growth

1.0% 1.6% 3.7%1.7% 8.6%Oregon Washington CaliforniaIllinois Florida

144,300acres

241,000acres

466,000acres

1.1 millionacres

Existing farmland converted to residential uses from 1982-97

1.1 millionacres

Source: National Resources Inventory USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Conversion of Agricultural Lands: “Planned”1982-1997

Oregon: 144,300 acres 60,900 acres within UGBs 35,000 acres within rural

development zones. 48,400 acres in resource

land zones 67% of total conversions

involve areas planned for development.

Source: National Resources Inventory, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

The Farmland Protection Program is Far From Perfect

Over 50 farm and nonfarm uses are still allowed in the “exclusive” farm zone. “Supersiting” of certain land uses

Siting standards for nonfarn uses Efforts to address fairness over the

distribution of the benefits and burdens of the program have not ended the debate.

The Farmland Protection Program is Far From Perfect

Urban growth boundaries continue to expand, sometimes onto cropland.

Rural Reserves in the Metro Region: Long-term protection from UGB expansion?

Toward Perfection

Transferable development rights: New to Oregon

Rural Reserves in the Metro Region: Long-term protection from UGB expansion

Growing public concern over food security and demand for local products: New reasons to protect farmland close to urban areas.

Further Information

Department of Land Conservation & Development: www.lcd.state.or.us

Metro: www.oregonmetro.gov

Eber-Sullivan Article in San Joaquin Agricultural Law Review

http://www.lcd.state.or.us/

http://www.oregonmetro.gov/

Jim JohnsonLand Use and Water Planning CoordinatorOregon Department of [email protected]