The Importance of Agricultural Operations, Natural Areas, and Open Lands in Routt County

For many years, residents throughout Routt County have expressed support for the continuation of vital, productive, agricultural operations and preservation of natural areas. That support has been capsulated in the "Routt County Open Lands Plan, A Plan for the Protection of Agricultural Lands, Natural Areas, and Open Space Resources." The Open Lands Plan was initiated partly from surveys conducted in the early 1990's. It was refined and finalized following numerous public meetings and substantial community involvement from September 1994 through June 1995. The Open Lands Plan presents eight techniques, which can assist the community to protect agricultural operations, natural areas, and open lands - in general, to protect the unique western heritage of the Yampa Valley for its citizens and visitors.

Yampa Valley citizens and vistors alike, recognize the value of Routt County's agricultural operations. Agriculture represents a significant and relatively stable portion of the county economy, having an annual fiscal contribution of more than $28 million. Importantly, the value of agricultural land goes far beyond the dollars contributed to the county through the sale of agricultural products. A dollar of agricultural income stimulates the economy through secondary businesses, such as feed and equipment dealers, seed suppliers, veterinarians, and other support services.

The abundance of natural and open areas in Routt County plays a substantial role in attracting tourists, and thus supporting the local recreational economy. Natural and open areas also sustain vital ecological communities, which support wildlife, waterfowl, and fisheries. Such areas contain important riparian areas, which have been nationally recognized as being ecologically significant.

Clearly, the agricultural operations and the natural areas are important to Routt County's quality of life and the special sense of community that these surroundings create. The Routt County PDR Program can help to maintain these resources.

The Purchase of Development Rights Program

A PDR program is a land protection tool through which willing landowners sell development rights in exchange for a perpetual conservation easement, or deed restriction, on the property. The purpose of the easement is to assist maintenance of an agricultural operation or preservation of natural areas, or possibly both, by permanently protecting the land from development. The land may be sold or transferred, but the deed restriction remains in place.

The landowner is provided an economically attractive alternative to selling land for development through compensation for the developmental rights, or development potential, of their land. The compensation enables them to meet financial objectives, such as debt reduction, making capital improvements, or retirement. Ownership of the property remains vested with the landowner, who can use and manage the property consistent with the terms of the conservation easement.

In November 1996, Routt County voters approved the creation of a PDR Fund to be used for purchasing development rights and establish conservation easements. Funding is derived from a one-mill increase in County property tax for ten years, beginning in 1997. Through an application and review process, Routt County PDR funds may be dispersed to landowners. The process is overseen by a Citizens' Advisory Board, which is appointed by the Routt County Commissioners. The PDR Citizens' Advisory Board (PDR Board) is comprised of seven Routt County citizens, representing agricultural, conservation and business intersts. The PDR Board is charged with establishing procedures and criteria to utilize when assessing PDR funding applications. The PDR Board also must make recommendations to the Routt County Board of Commissioners on whether to fund the purchase in full, in part, or not at all.

Goals and Objectives Identified in Routt County Resolution No. 96-059

The Routt County PDR Program is intended to encourage the continuation of a vital agricultural sector and to help protect natural, open and productive lands that contribute to Routt County's special landscape. The goals for the PDR Program are summarized below:

• Conserve and protect ranch lands and agricultural operations
• Conserve and protect natural areas
• Encourage long-term commitments to agriculture through financial incentives and protection of land base
• Promote viable ranching and agriculture operations as key components of the County's economy
• Reduce growth pressures in rural areas and the need for public expenditures for infrastructure
• Utilize purchase of development rights as a conservation technique and leverage other funds for purchase