04/30/08 Land Use Laws

Land Use Laws. I'm Greg Martin with today's Line On Agriculture. Oregon's land use laws appear to be working when it comes to protecting agriculture in at least one part of the state, according to results of a recently completed study. The study looked at the impact of dwellings sited on land zoned for farming and forestry in Hood River County. While it focuses on just one area that is generally confined to tree fruit production, the study provides a snapshot of how well Oregon is doing in keeping non-agricultural land uses from interfering with farming operations. EBER: Where we had a concentration of dwellings that were in, quote, farm related, in those sections we actually had an increase in farm activity. Pastures were being planted into new orchards. Ron Eber of the State Land Conservation and Development Department says the study also shows that non-farm dwellings sited in the county in ag areas did not result in less farming activity, therefore the land use rules and standards designed to protect agriculture from development are doing what they are supposed to do. Jim Johnson with the Oregon Department of Agriculture says the study can help those taking a big look at the state's land use system. JOHNSON: If the policy is that they want to have more dwellings sited in farm zones, okay let's have that discussion. But if the policy is to protect agricultural lands for farm use, the current rules and laws are doing the job that we ask them to do. The story may be different in other counties, but it would take more study to know for sure. At least in Hood River County, farmland is being protected and growth is being directed thanks to land use zoning currently in place. Johnson says by keeping most non-farm dwellings away from farming operations, as the statewide planning rules require, there is less likelihood of complaints from residents about surrounding farm practices. JOHNSON: What's great about this study is that it kind of affirms something I always experienced over time. In Hood River County, in the orchards, I have yet to receive one phone call from a non-farm resident complaining about operations in the valley. Johnson says the study does a good job of seeing how non-farm dwellings in agricultural areas impact farming in general. The study suggests that land use rules in place have kept agriculture from negative effects due to development: JOHNSON: What this study really does is not just talk about the influence of the footprint of the individual dwelling, but for the first time- in my opinion- looks at the cumulative impact of dwellings being located in an agricultural area in terms of the shadow they cast on that surrounding area. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.