RD337 - Annual Report on 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 Agriculture and Forestry 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:

During FY 2007, VDOT estimates that 45.23 acres of farmland and 34.47 acres of forestland will be impacted by future construction projects. Since these estimates are determined during early environmental studies, the conversion will not actually take place for two to three years. “These estimates are preliminary and may decrease as the project develops and avoidance measures are pursued.”

VDH estimates that 76,074 acres were preserved as farm and forest lands through its activities between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007. This figure includes 18,340 acres for which permits were issued for land application of biosolids and 55,570 acres spread with biosolids during this period. There are approximately 419,500 acres of farm and forest lands permitted by VDH to receive land applied biosolids.

DCR indicated that 21 projects have been completed between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007. These projects affected a total of 115 acres, 75 of which were forest land, 35 acres were farm land, and five acres were other lands. The projects are part of the department’s master plan and focused on expanding and constructing campgrounds and infrastructure.

SCC’s farm and forest lands protection plan was unchanged during fiscal year 2007. The SCC indicated that it has had no capital projects for some years, and none are anticipated that 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, 2006 through June 30, 2007, DEQ “coordinated the review of 114 Environmental Impact Reports for major state projects, each of which was reviewed by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and the Department of Forestry (DOF). VDACS indicated that farmlands would not be adversely affected by these projects. DOF stated that 113 of these projects would not have any significant impacts on forest lands. In one case, pertaining to the Hampton Roads Airport Development Plan, DOF indicated that the plan would result in a significant impact on the forest resources of the Commonwealth. DOF recommended that the loss of the forest resources be mitigated as proposed in the environmental assessment. DEQ supported the mitigation measures proposed to offset the loss of forest lands.”