[§205-42]  Important agricultural lands;definition and objectives.  (a)  As used in this part, unless the contextotherwise requires, "important agricultural lands" means those lands,identified pursuant to this part, that:

(1)  Are capable of producing sustained highagricultural yields when treated and managed according to accepted farmingmethods and technology;

(2)  Contribute to the State's economic base andproduce agricultural commodities for export or local consumption; or

(3)  Are needed to promote the expansion ofagricultural activities and income for the future, even if currently not inproduction.

(b)  The objective for the identification ofimportant agricultural lands is to identify and plan for the maintenance of astrategic agricultural land resource base that can support a diversity ofagricultural activities and opportunities that expand agricultural income andjob opportunities and increase agricultural self-sufficiency for current andfuture generations.  To achieve this objective, the State shall:

(1)  Promote agricultural development and land useplanning that delineates blocks of productive agricultural land and areas ofagricultural activity for protection from the encroachment of nonagriculturaluses; and

(2)  Establish incentives that promote:

(A)  Agricultural viability;

(B)  Sustained growth of the agricultureindustry; and

(C)  The long-term agricultural use andprotection of these productive agricultural lands. [L 2005, c 183, pt of §2]