1. OREGON’S LAND USE SYSTEM & FARMLAND PROTECTION Food Policy from Neighborhood to Nation National Conference Portland, Oregon May 20, 2011

4. Helps create greater stability throughout the industry over time.

6. 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

8. Department of Land Conservation & Development

11. Elements of Statewide Land Use Planning Program, Cont’d 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

12. Statewide Planning Goals Fundamental Strategy embedded in Goals: Contain urban development within UGBs Protect natural resources outside UGBs Use urban land efficiently

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Components of Oregon Farmland Protection Program, Cont’d 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.

17. Components of Oregon Farmland Protection Program, Cont’d 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

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 1.1 million acres 1.1 million acres 466,000 acres 241,000 acres Oregon’s farmland has been protected…with small losses concentrated within areas designated for growth Existing farmland converted to residential uses from 1982-97 144,300 acres 1.0% 1.6% 3.7% 1.7% 8.6% Oregon Washington California Illinois Florida Source: National Resources Inventory USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

24. 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

25. 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.

29. 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

30. Jim Johnson Land Use and Water Planning Coordinator Oregon Department of Agriculture jjohnson@oda.state.or.us