RD261 - Annual Report on the State Agency Farm Land and Forest Land Preservation Activities


Executive Summary:
Section 3.1-18.6 of the Code of Virginia requires the Secretary of Commerce and Trade to submit a written report by December 1 of each year to the chairmen of the House Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources on the impacts of state agency actions on the conversion of farm and forest lands. Section 3.1-18.6 of the Code of Virginia requires that the Department of Transportation (VDOT), Department of Health (VDH), Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), State Corporation Commission (SCC), and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) contribute to this report.

The following is a synopsis of the plans submitted by the five agencies:

The Department of Transportation's (VDOT) farm and forest lands protection plan remained unchanged from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005. VDOT purchased 1,059 acres of right-of-way during FY 04-05. Construction is scheduled to begin approximately six months to one year after purchase.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) estimates that 82,188 acres were preserved as farm and forest lands through its activities. This figure includes 31,688 acres for which permits were issued for land application of biosolids and 50,500 acres spread with biosolids. There is approximately 381,000 acres of farm and forest lands permitted by VDH to receive land applied biosolids.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) reports that the agency strives to minimize impacts to farm and forest land on its properties. In FY 05, DCR completed 14 projects between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2005. A total of 1.9 acres was converted. Of that number, 0.5 acre of forest land was converted, zero acres of farm land were converted, and 1.4 acres of other land (excluding farm and forest) were converted.

The State Corporation Commission’s (SCC) farm and forest lands protection plan was unchanged during fiscal year 2005. “The Commission has had no capital projects for some years, and none are anticipated, which would have an impact on the conversion of farm and forested lands.” The SCC explains that it approves the construction of utility facilities and considers the impact of proposed facilities on farm and forested lands and their conversion in its analysis of environmental impacts.

From July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005, DEQ reports that the department coordinated the review of 58 state projects, each of which was reviewed by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Virginia Department of Forestry. According to DEQ, no adverse impacts to farm lands were identified by either agency. During this time the department had 13 comment periods on notices of intent to adopt, appeal or repeal of regulation and 14 comment periods on proposed adoption, amendment or repeal of regulatory text. Comments relative to farm and forest land preservation were received on one notice of intent and five notices of public comment period.