§163D-7  Agricultural projects; agriculturaldevelopment plans.  (a)  The corporation may develop and implementagricultural projects where large tracts of agricultural land have been or willbe taken out of productive agriculture or where, through detailed analysis,opportunities exist to exploit potential local, national, and internationalmarkets.

(b)  The corporation may initiate andcoordinate the preparation of business and agricultural development plans forits projects.  The plans shall include a proposal for the organization of theenterprise, a marketing information and strategy, the impact on existingagricultural operations throughout the State, and a recommendation for theconstruction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, improvement, alteration, orrepair of any infrastructure or accessory facilities in connection with anyproject.

(c)  The corporation may enter into cooperativeagreements with coordinating entrepreneurs or public agencies when the powers,services, and capabilities of the persons or agencies are deemed necessary andappropriate for the development and implementation of the business andagricultural development plans.

(d)  The corporation may purchase, accept, andmaintain permanent conservation easements, or transfer these easements to aqualified land trust in accordance with the federal Natural ResourcesConservation Service farm and ranch lands protection program.

(e)  Notwithstanding any provision of thischapter to the contrary, when leasing corporation-controlled agricultural land,the corporation may contract with a financial institution chartered underchapter 412 or a federal financial institution, as defined under section412:1-109, that transacts business in this State to provide lease managementservices.  For the purposes of this subsection, "lease managementservices" includes the collection of lease rent and any other moneys owedto the corporation related to the lease of agricultural land under thecorporation's control.

(f)  The agricultural planning activities ofthe corporation shall be coordinated with the county planning departments andthe county land use plans, policies, and ordinances.

(g)  The corporation may amend the business andagricultural development plans as may be necessary.

(h)  Any undertaking by the corporationpursuant to this chapter shall be with the express written consent of thelandowner or landowners directly affected. [L 1994, c 264, pt of §1; am L 2008,c 234, §2]