3-3307

3-3307. Criteria for awarding grants

The director shall adopt guidelines that establish the criteria and policies for
granting monies for acquiring agricultural easements established pursuant to this
chapter. With respect to each application, the commission must consider each, but the
proposal is not required to meet all, of the following:

1. Important natural, cultural or public values found on the farm lands or ranch
lands.

2. The possibility of conversion of the property from traditional agricultural use.

3. Positive impacts on long-term agricultural productivity and perpetuation.

4. Landscape and watershed integrity to conserve water quality and natural
resources.

5. Habitats for native species, including habitats for important, rare or sensitive
species.

6. Potential for leveraging state monies allocated to the program with additional
public or private monies.

7. Provisions for compensating landowners who agree to allow public access on the
agricultural easement, but an agreement to allow public access is not a requirement for
an agricultural easement and does not afford higher funding priority.