N.J. Admin. Code § 2:76-17A.4

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 12, June 17, 2024

Section 2:76-17A.4 - Municipal farmland preservation plan

(a) A comprehensive farmland preservation plan shall include, at a minimum, the following components: :

1. The adopted farmland preservation plan element of the municipal master plan pursuant to N.J.A. C. 2:76-17A.3(a)3;

2. A map and description of the municipality's agricultural resource base including, at a minimum, the proposed farmland preservation project areas, and the location and extent of the following important farmland soils:

i. Prime soils identified by the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service;

ii. Soils of Statewide importance, as identified by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, State Soil Conservation Committee; and

iii. Unique soils, identified by the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, that are especially suited for the production of specialty crops and are being used, or intended to be used, for that purpose;

3. A description of the land use planning context for the municipality's farmland preservation initiatives including the following:

i. Identification and detailed map of the county's adopted ADA within the municipality;

ii. Consistency of the municipality's farmland preservation program with county and other farmland preservation program initiatives; and

iii. Consistency with municipal, regional and State land use planning and conservation efforts;

4. A description of the municipality's past and future farmland preservation program activities, including program goals and objectives, as follows:

i. A summary identifying municipal funding dedicated to, or available for, preservation of farmland through the State farmland preservation program; and

ii. A funding plan for the preservation of land consistent with the municipality's one-, five- and 10-year preservation projections that includes identification of available funding sources and any approved policies related to funding sources;

5. A description of the local agricultural industry and discussion of actions the municipality has taken, or plans to take, to promote agricultural economic development in order to sustain the agricultural industry;

6. Other farmland preservation techniques being utilized or considered by the municipality;

7. A description of the policies, guidelines, or standards used by the municipality in conducting its farmland preservation efforts including the following:

i. Any minimum eligibility criteria or standards used by the municipality for solicitation and approval of individual farm applications, which, at a minimum, shall include the criteria at N.J.A.C. 2:76-6.20;

ii. The adopted ranking criteria that the municipality will use to prioritize farms for farmland preservation funding, which, at a minimum, shall address the factors included in the criteria at N.J.A. C. 2:76-6.16; and

iii. Any other policies, guidelines, or standards used by the municipality that affect individual farm application evaluation or selection;

8. A description of municipal staff and/or consultants used to facilitate the preservation of farms; and

9. Any other information as deemed appropriate by the municipality.

(b) The municipal planning board, in consultation with the municipal agricultural advisory committee, shall review and readopt the comprehensive farmland preservation plan at least every 10 years. The readopted plan shall, at a minimum, provide updates to the elements required at (a) 2, 3, 4, and 7 above and to the project area inventory described at N.J.A.C. 2:76-17A.5.

N.J. Admin. Code § 2:76-17A.4

Amended by 52 N.J.R. 1549(a), effective 8/3/2020