Drafter
Clerk 05/26/2005
Title
AN ORDINANCE authorizing the use of a Revised Deed of and Agreement Relating to Development Rights in connection with the acquisition of development rights by the Farmland Preservation Program when utilizing federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program funding.
Body
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. Section 388 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 established the Farmland Protection Program, currently known as the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program ("FRPP"), whereby funds are provided to assist in the purchase of farmland development rights.
2. The Natural Resources Conservation Service ("NRCS"), which administers the FRPP, has asked that certain provisions be included in any deeds acquiring development rights that utilize FRPP funds.
3. The provisions requested by NRCS will further the protection of prime agricultural lands, promote consistency of deed restrictions in FRPP-funded acquisitions, and protect the property interests of the United States.
4. King County has received FRPP funding to be used for acquiring development rights on farmland in the Snoqualmie River Valley and Lower Green River Valley Agricultural Production Districts.
5. The FRPP funding will be combined with existing Farmland Preservation Program acquisition funds, some of which were generated by the 1979 Farm and Open Space Bonds initiative which led to the establishment of the Farmland Preservation Program.
6. The Farm and Open Space Bonds initiative imposed restrictions upon the properties on which development rights were to be purchased with the funding it generated.
7. The form of the Revised Deed of and Agreement Relating to Development Rights is consistent with the restrictions imposed by the Farm and Open Space Bonds initiative and also includes the provisions requested by the NRCS.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. The metropolitan King County council hereby authorizes the use of th...
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