Agricultural Properties – PA 116, Prime & Unique PA 116 is a Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) farmland preservation program. This program offers tax incentives to land owners in exchange for keeping the agricultural use of the property for a set amount of time. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Prime and Unique Farmland has a similar preservation goal which protects identified lands throughout the United States from irreversible conversion.

Impacts: If your project has ROW acquisition or grading permits on a PA 116 or Prime and Unique Farmland, you will want to coordinate with either MDARD or USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to discuss your project. NRCS will use the criteria provided in regulations 7 CFR Section 658.5 to identify and take into account adverse effects of the action as well as the farmland conversion impact rating score.

What documentation should I submit? Pertinent correspondence and project approval from either MDARD or USDA. Any avoidance, minimization or mitigation measures that were identified

Resources: Prime and Unique Farmland Mapper: https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx PA 116 Identification Guidance

MDARD United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Special Environmental Resource Concerns Prime and Unique Clean Air Act Farmlands Criteria Pollutants Prime and Unique Farmlands Clean Air Act The Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA) was passed by Congress as part of the Agriculture and Regional Visibility Degradation on the unnecessary and irreversible conversion of farmland to nonagricultural uses. For the purpose of FPPA,Act of farmland1981 (Public includes law 97-98). prime farmland,The FPPA uniqueis intended farmland, to minimize and land the of impact statewide Federal or local programs importance. have Clean Water Act What is it? Coastal Zone Prime farmland is land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for Management Areas fertilizer, pesticides, and labor, and without intolerable , as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.producing food, It may feed, include fiber, forage,lands currently oilseed, andused other to produce agricultural livestock crops and/or with minimumtimber. Unique inputs farmland of fuel, is Coral Reefs determined by the Secretary. Examples of such crops include , tree nuts, olives, , , land other than prime farmland that is used for production of specific high-value food and fiber crops, as Cultural and vegetables. Farmland that is of statewide or local importance other than prime or unique farmland Resources appropriate State or unit of local government agency or agencies, with the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture. is used for the production of food, feed, fiber, forage, or oilseed crops, as determined by the Endangered and Threatened Species Why is it important? Projects are subject to FPPA requirements if they may irreversibly convert farmland (directly or indirectly) to nonagricultural use and are completed by a Federal agency or with assistance from a Environmental Federal agency, including NRCS. Justice

Essential Fish What can be done about it? Habitat into account the adverse effects of Federal programs on the protection of farmland. As well as evaluating NRCS must use the criteria provided in regulations found at 7 CFR Section 658.5 to identify and take Floodplain the effects of our own actions upon farmland, NRCS must assist Federal agencies to consider alternative actions, as appropriate, that could lessen such adverse effects on farmland conversion to nonagricultural Management impact rating scores. This score is used as an indicator for the project sponsor to consider alternative Invasive sitesuses. ifNRCS the potential uses a land adverse evaluation impacts and on site the assessment farmland exceed (LESA) the system recommended to establish allowable a farmland level. conversion Species

Migratory Birds Prime and Unique Farmlands at a Glance Problems / Indicators - Proposed farmland conversion Prime and Causes Solutions Unique Farmlands • Proposed changes/conversion of agricultural lands • Conduct LESA for conversion impact score • Ground disturbing/land clearing activities • Share result with cooperating Federal agency proposing Riparian Areas • Construction of infrastructure projects action (normally for NEPA analysis) • Exurban development • Offer alternatives (relocation) for consideration if adverse Wetlands impacts to prime, unique, or locally important agricultural lands Wild and Scenic Rivers www.nrcs.usda.gov USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. March 2012 PA 116 Properties – How to identify

1) Identify if agricultural properties are within the project study area. 2) Identify if the property is eligible for the program by reviewing the eligibility criteria here: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/PA_116_Eligibility_Requirements_36532_7.pdf 3) If eligible, contact the local governing body (clerk, assessor, planning dept.) to see if they maintain records of enrolled PA 116 properties.

4) If the local governing body does not keep records or is uncertain, please contact the MDARD Farmland Preservation Office: https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125- 1599_2558-14018--,00.html