TIER 1 DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Agricultural Lands 

(Prime Farmland 

and Timberland)

7.3

7. Affected Environment, Environmental Consequences, and Mitigation Strategies

Tier 1 Draft EIS Page | 7.3-1

7.3 AGRICULTURAL LANDS (PRIME FARMLAND AND TIMBERLAND)

7.3.1 Introduction

Agricultural lands include the nation’s farmlands and timberlands, which are unique natural resources 

that provide food, fiber, wood, and water. Conversion of agricultural lands to nonagricultural uses, 

such as a transportation use, results in the loss of these lands for agricultural purposes. This section 

describes agricultural lands in the NEC FUTURE Study Area (Study Area) and identifies potential 

impacts on agricultural lands associated with each of the Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact 

Statement (Tier 1 Draft EIS) Action Alternatives. Also included within this section is a qualitative 

evaluation of the effects on agricultural lands associated with the No Action Alternative.

Appendix E, Section E.03, provides the methodology for evaluating agricultural lands and the data 

supporting the analysis presented.

7.3.1.1 Definition of Resources 

Agricultural lands include prime farmland soils and prime timberlands as defined below: 

4 Prime farmland is considered land underlain by soil identified by the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) as having the best 

combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food and other agricultural 

crops. 

4 Prime timberland is land designated by the USDA NRCS as having the capability of growing a 

significant volume of timber when left in natural conditions. This designation also applies to lands 

that are not currently in forest but realistically could be vegetated with timber.

Appendix E, Section E.03, provides more detailed definitions of prime farmland and prime timberland. 

7.3.1.2 Effects-Assessment Methodology 

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) developed an effects-assessment methodology for the 

evaluation of agricultural lands. The effects-assessment methodology defines the resource and 

discloses the data sources, discloses how the Affected Environment was defined and established, and 

explains how the effects on the resource were evaluated and reported. Table 7.3-1 summarizes key 

factors associated with the effects-assessment methodology for agricultural lands.

For this chapter of the Tier 1 Draft EIS, the FRA summarized and reviewed the data to identify counties 

with large concentrations of agricultural lands and for which the Action Alternatives would affect a 

high percentage of agricultural lands within the Affected Environment of that county. Appendix E, 

Section E.03, provides a complete list of prime farmland and prime timberland acreages for all 

counties within the Affected Environment and impacts within those counties.
7.3. Agricultural Lands (Prime Farmland and Timberland)

Page | 7.3-2 Tier 1 Draft EIS

Table 7.3-1: Effects-Assessment Methodology Summary: Agricultural Lands

Resource Affected Environment

Type of 

Assessment Outcome

Agricultural lands 

(prime farmland / 

prime timberland) 

2,000-foot-wide swath 

centered along 

Representative Route for 

each Action Alternative

Quantitative: 

acres 

Identification of agricultural lands 

affected by the Action Alternatives (i.e., 

acres of agricultural lands that lie within 

the footprint of the Representative 

Route) that may result in impacts on

agricultural lands.

Source: NEC FUTURE Agricultural Lands Effects-Assessment Methodology, Appendix E, Section E.03, 2014

7.3.2 Resource Overview 

Prime farmland and prime timberland are dispersed throughout the Study Area with larger amounts

found in Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. In many instances, 

greater impacts on agricultural lands are associated with areas where the Action Alternatives diverge 

from the existing NEC right-of-way and create new segments or extend off-corridor. Notable impacts 

on agricultural lands as a result of the Action Alternatives, as further described in Section 7.3.4, would 

occur in the following areas:

4 Maryland: Cecil and Anne Arundel Counties

4 Delaware: New Castle County

4 New Jersey: Mercer and Middlesex Counties

4 New York: Westchester, Putnam, and Suffolk Counties

4 Connecticut: New Haven, Middlesex, New London, Tolland, Windham, and Hartford Counties

4 Rhode Island: Washington and Providence Counties

4 Massachusetts: Worcester, Middlesex, Norfolk, and Bristol Counties

Notable impacts on agricultural lands as a result of the Action Alternatives would not occur in 

Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

This Tier 1 Draft EIS analysis did not identify active or specific farmland or timberland uses. 

7.3.3 Affected Environment 

Throughout the Affected Environment of the existing NEC and each Action Alternative, prime 

farmland generally consists of noncontiguous tracts that are similar in size and dispersion. High 

concentrations (i.e., more than 500 acres) of prime farmland exist within the Affected Environment 

of the following areas:

4 Maryland: Harford and Cecil Counties

4 New Jersey: Middlesex County

4 New York: Westchester County

4 Connecticut: New Haven, Hartford, New London, Tolland, and Windham Counties

4 Rhode Island: Washington County

4 Massachusetts: Worcester County
7. Affected Environment, Environmental Consequences, and Mitigation Strategies

Tier 1 Draft EIS Page | 7.3-3

High concentrations of prime farmland within the Affected Environment do not exist in Washington, 

D.C., Delaware, and Pennsylvania.

High concentrations (i.e., more than 1,000 acres) or large contiguous or uniform tracts of prime 

timberland exist within the Affected Environment of the following areas: 

4 Maryland: Anne Arundel, Harford, and Cecil Counties

4 Delaware: New Castle County

4 New Jersey: Middlesex County

4 New York: Westchester County

4 Connecticut: Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, Hartford, New London, Tolland, and Windham 

Counties

4 Rhode Island: Washington and Providence Counties

4 Massachusetts: Worcester, Bristol and Norfolk Counties

High concentrations or large contiguous or uniform tracts of prime timberland do not exist within the 

Affected Environment of Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

Table 7.3-2 and Table 7.3-3 summarize by geography the acreages of prime farmland and prime 

timberland, respectively, within the Affected Environments of the existing NEC and each Action 

Alternative.

Table 7.3-2: Affected Environment: Prime Farmland Acreage 

Geography

Existing NEC

(acres)

Alternative 1

(acres)1

Alternative 2 

(acres)1

Alternative 3

(acres)1

D.C. 2 2 2 2

MD 2,220 2,220 3,225 3,655

DE 185 185 195 205

PA 115 115 100 115

NJ 840 840 850 890

NY 4 4 5 410–770

CT 980 1,505 2,590 1,880–3,130

RI 1,080 1,280 1,360 1,080–1,355

MA 295 295 315 320–1,190

TOTAL 5,720 6,445 8,635 9,435–10,450

Source: NEC FUTURE team, 2015 1. All Action Alternatives assume improvements to the existing NEC; therefore, the acreages presented for the Affected 

Environment are inclusive of the existing NEC in addition to any new route option or off-corridor route associated with each 

Action Alternative.
7.3. Agricultural Lands (Prime Farmland and Timberland)

Page | 7.3-4 Tier 1 Draft EIS

Table 7.3-3: Affected Environment: Prime Timberland Acreage

Geography

Existing NEC

(acres)

Alternative 1

(acres)1

Alternative 2 

(acres)1

Alternative 3

(acres)1

D.C. 70 70 70 75

MD 6,545 6,545 8,070 9,535

DE 820 820 990 995

PA 465 465 450 475

NJ 1,770 1,770 1,805 1,865

NY 30 30 35 840–3,925

CT 5,410 8,860 15,670 12,250–20,195

RI 4,960 6,375 8,550 4,960–8,550

MA 2,865 2,865 3,100 3,185–8,410

TOTAL 22,930 27,795 38,740 39,405–48,795

Source: NEC FUTURE team, 2015 1. All Action Alternatives assume improvements to the existing NEC; therefore, the acreages presented for the Affected 

Environment are inclusive of improvements to existing NEC in addition to any new route option or off-corridor route associated 

with each Action Alternative. 

7.3.4 Environmental Consequences

To determine effects of the Action Alternatives, this analysis focused on identifying locations within 

the Representative Routes in which prime farmland and prime timberland that are not already 

considered developed land could be converted to transportation uses. These conversions would be 

required for infrastructure, new segments, or off-corridor routes and are therefore considered 

potential impacts for the purposes of the Environmental Consequences analysis. The following 

sections discuss the key findings of the Environmental Consequences analysis. Table 7.3-4 through 

Table 7.3-7 present the acreages of prime farmland or prime timberland that lie within the 

Representative Routes, and thus would be converted to transportation use.

7.3.4.1 No Action Alternative

While impacts associated with the No Action Alternative are not quantified as part of this analysis, 

impacts to prime farmland and prime timberland as a result of the No Action Alternative will be 

minimal. Most projects that fall under the No Action Alternative will occur within or adjacent to the 

right-of-way of the existing NEC, which is largely characterized by developed land already utilized for 

transportation (i.e., land that cannot again be converted to a transportation use and thus be 

considered an impact on prime farmland or prime timberland).

Table 7.3-4 through Table 7.3-7 present agricultural resources within the footprint of the existing NEC

so that effects for each Action Alternative can be compared to a baseline.
7. Affected Environment, Environmental Consequences, and Mitigation Strategies

Tier 1 Draft EIS Page | 7.3-5

Table 7.3-4: Environmental Consequences: Representative Route – Prime Farmland 

Geography

Existing NEC

(acres) 

Alternative 1

(acres)1

Alternative 2 

(acres)1

Alternative 3

(acres)1

D.C. 0 0 0 0

MD~+ 40 40 95 235

DE~+ 5 5 10 25

PA 1 0 0 3

NJ 30 30 35 130

NY 0 0 0 35–55

CT+ 65 100 180 125–210

RI+ 65 90 90 65–95

MA+ 15 15 20 45–55

TOTAL 215 275 430 680–790

Source: NEC FUTURE team, 2015 1. All Action Alternatives assume improvements to the existing NEC; therefore, the acreages presented include the 

Environmental Consequences inclusive of improvements to existing NEC and any new option or off-corridor route associated 

with each Action Alternative.

~ = State contains large and contiguous tract(s) of prime farmland along the Representative Route.

+ = State or metropolitan planning organization area(s) within that state have set goals and objectives toward the conservation 

or preservation of farmlands and rural lands.

Table 7.3-5: Environmental Consequences: Representative Route of Alternative 3 Route 

Options – Prime Farmland 

Geography

Existing NEC

(acres)

Alternative 3

D.C. to NYC

(acres)1

New York City to Hartford Hartford to Boston

via Central 

Connecticut

(acres)1

via Long 

Island 

(acres)1

via 

Providence 

(acres)1

via Worcester 

(acres)1

D.C. 0 0 — — — —

MD~+ 40 235 — — — —

DE~+ 5 25 — — — —

PA 1 5 — — — —

NJ 30 130 — — — —

NY 0 — 55 35 — —

CT+ 65 — 70 75 140 70

RI+ 65 — — — 95 65

MA+ 15 — — — 45 55

TOTAL 220 395 125 110 280 190

Source: NEC FUTURE team, 2015 1. All Action Alternatives assume improvements to the existing NEC; therefore, the acreages presented include the 

Environmental Consequences inclusive of improvements to existing NEC and any new route option or off-corridor route 

associated with each Action Alternative.

— = Not applicable within that alternative/route option.

~ = State contains large and contiguous tract(s) of prime farmland along the Representative Route.

+ = State or metropolitan planning organization area(s) within that state have set goals and objectives toward the conservation 

or preservation of farmlands and rural lands.
7.3. Agricultural Lands (Prime Farmland and Timberland)

Page | 7.3-6 Tier 1 Draft EIS

Table 7.3-6: Environmental Consequences: Representative Route – Prime Timberland

Geography

Existing NEC

(acres) 

Alternative 1

(acres)1

Alternative 2 

(acres)1

Alternative 3

(acres)1

D.C. 0 0 0 5

MD~+ 215 215 330 840

DE~ 35 35 65 145

PA 10 10 10 40

NJ 65 65 75 260

NY~ 0 0 0 75–280

CT~+ 315 540 1,140 765–1,385

RI~ 345 525 630 345–635

MA~ 200 200 250 510–595

TOTAL 1,185 1,595 2,500 2,985–4,185

Source: NEC FUTURE team, 2015 1. All Action Alternatives assume improvements to the existing NEC; therefore, the acreages presented include the 

Environmental Consequences inclusive of improvements to existing NEC and any new route option or off-corridor route 

associated with each Action Alternative.

~ = State contains large and contiguous tract(s) of prime timberland along the Representative Route.

+ = State or metropolitan planning organization area(s) within that state have set goals and objectives toward the conservation 

or preservation of timberlands, forest, and woodlands.

Table 7.3-7: Environmental Consequences: Representative Route of Alternative 3 Route 

Options – Prime Timberland 

Geography

Existing NEC

(acres)

Alternative 3

D.C. to NYC

(acres)1

New York City to Hartford Hartford to Boston

via Central 

Connecticut

(acres)1

via Long 

Island 

(acres)1

via 

Providence 

(acres)1

via 

Worcester 

(acres)1

D.C. 0 5 — — — —

MD~+ 215 840 — — — —

DE~ 35 145 — — — —

PA 10 40 — — — —

NJ 65 260 — — — —

NY~ 0 — 280 75 — —

CT~+ 315 — 520 455 855 370

RI~ 345 — — — 635 345

MA~ 200 — — — 595 510

TOTAL 1,185 1,290 800 530 2,085 1,225

Source: NEC FUTURE team, 2015 1. All Action Alternatives assume improvements to the existing NEC; therefore, the acreages presented include the 

Environmental Consequences inclusive of improvements to existing NEC and any new route option or off-corridor route 

associated with each Action Alternative.

— =Not applicable within that alternative/route option.

~ = State contains large and contiguous tract(s) of prime timberland along the Representative Route.

+ = State or metropolitan planning organization area(s) within that state have set goals and objectives toward the conservation 

or preservation of timberlands, forest, and woodlands.
7. Affected Environment, Environmental Consequences, and Mitigation Strategies

Tier 1 Draft EIS Page | 7.3-7

7.3.4.2 Alternative 1

About 60 percent of the impacts of Alternative 1 would occur in Washington County, RI, and New 

London County, CT. These impacts would occur as a result of the addition of the Old Saybrook-Kenyon 

segment in Alternative 1. In addition, although Middlesex County, CT, does not have large 

concentrations (i.e., more than 500 acres) of prime farmland within its Affected Environment, 

Alternative 1 would affect a relatively high percentage (approximately 9 percent) of the prime 

farmland within the Affected Environment of that county. Alternative 1 would also affect a relatively 

high percentage (approximately 8.4 percent) of the prime timberland within the Affected 

Environment of Washington County, RI. 

7.3.4.3 Alternative 2

Where Alternative 2 proposes new segments, some of the highest prime farmland impacts would 

occur in Cecil County, MD (approximately 75 acres) and Tolland County, CT (approximately 40 acres). 

Where Alternative 2 runs parallel to the existing NEC right-of-way, New London County, CT

(approximately 40 acres) and Washington County, RI (approximately 65 acres) would also be subject 

to relatively high prime farmland impacts; this indicates the presence of concentrations of prime 

farmland adjacent to the existing NEC right-of-way in these counties. In addition, although Providence 

County, RI, does not have high concentrations of prime farmland within the Affected Environment 

(i.e., more than 500 acres), Alternative 2 would affect a relatively high percentage (approximately 

9 percent) of the prime farmland within the Affected Environment of that county. 

Some of the highest prime timberland impacts of Alternative 2 would occur where new segments 

exist in Cecil County, MD (approximately 225 acres); Tolland County, CT (approximately 275 acres); 

Windham County, CT (approximately 325 acres); Washington County, RI (approximately 340 acres);

and Providence, RI (approximately 230 acres). In addition, Alternative 2 would affect a relatively 

high percentage (approximately 10 percent) of the prime timberland within the Affected 

Environment of Hartford County, CT. 

7.3.4.4 Alternative 3

Washington, D.C. to New York City

Within the Washington, D.C. to New York City portion of Alternative 3, Cecil County, MD, would 

contain the highest acreages of impacts to prime farmland (approximately 135 acres) and prime 

timberland (approximately 345 acres). This portion of Alternative 3 contains segments that lie off the 

existing NEC right-of-way in Cecil County, MD. Middlesex County, NJ would contain the secondhighest acreages of impacts to prime farmland (approximately 100 acres) associated with this portion 

of Alternative 3. While this portion of Alternative 3 runs parallel to the existing NEC right-of-way in 

Middlesex, NJ, the relatively high proportion of impacts in this county’s Affected Environment 

(16 percent) indicatesthe presence of concentrations of prime farmland adjacent to the existing NEC. 

This percentage represents the highest percentage of impacts within the Affected Environment of 

any county for this portion of Alternative 3, and the majority of these impacts would be attributed to 

new infrastructure. 
7.3. Agricultural Lands (Prime Farmland and Timberland)

Page | 7.3-8 Tier 1 Draft EIS

Other counties within the Washington, D.C., to New York City portion of Alternative 3 for which 

approximately 10 to 16 percent of the acres of prime farmland within the Affected Environment 

would be affected include Anne Arundel County, MD; New Castle County, DE; and Mercer County, 

NJ. Although none of these counties has high concentrations (i.e., more than 500 acres) of prime 

farmland within its Affected Environment, this portion of Alternative 3 would affect a relatively 

high percentage of the prime farmland within the Affected Environment of those counties. 

Counties with the highest percentage of affected acres of prime timberland within the Affected 

Environment (approximately 15 to 20 percent) include Anne Arundel County, MD; Baltimore City, 

MD; New Castle County, DE; and Middlesex County, NJ. All of these counties, with the exception of 

Baltimore City, MD, contain high concentrations of prime timberland (more than 1,000 acres). While 

this portion of Alternative 3 runs parallel to the existing NEC or otherwise proposes slight 

modifications in these counties, the relatively high proportion of impacts within the Affected 

Environments of these counties indicates concentrations of prime timberland adjacent to the existing 

NEC. 

New York City to Hartford

Via Central Connecticut

Within the New York City to Hartford via Central Connecticut route option, which includes a route off 

the existing NEC, Westchester County, NY, and New Haven County, CT, would contain the highest 

acreages of prime farmland and prime timberland impacts, at approximately 35 acres and 215–285

acres, respectively. Putnam County, NY, would contain the highest percentage of affected prime 

farmland and prime timberland acres within the Affected Environment. Along the existing NEC, 

Middlesex County, CT, would contain a relatively high percentage of affected prime farmland acreage 

within the Affected Environment.

Via Long Island

Within the New York City to Hartford via Long Island route option, which includes a route off the 

existing NEC, Suffolk County, NY, and New Haven County, CT, would contain the highest acreages of 

prime farmland impacts (35–40 acres). New Haven County, CT, would contain the highest acreages

of prime timberland impacts at 205 acres. Hartford County, CT, would contain the highest percentage 

of affected prime farmland and prime timberland acreages within the Affected Environment. Along 

the existing NEC, Middlesex County, CT, would contain a relatively high percentage of affected prime 

farmland acreages within the Affected Environment.

Hartford to Boston

Via Providence

Within the Hartford to Boston via Providence route option, which includes a route off the existing 

NEC generally from Hartford to northeast of Providence, RI, the highest impacts for prime farmland 

(approximately 65 acres) would occur along the existing NEC in Washington County, RI. The highest 

acreages of prime timberland impacts along the new route would occur in Windham County, CT, and 

Norfolk County, MA (325–345 acres). Along the existing NEC, Washington County, RI, would also 

contain 340 acres of prime timberland impacts. Norfolk County, MA, would contain the 
7. Affected Environment, Environmental Consequences, and Mitigation Strategies

Tier 1 Draft EIS Page | 7.3-9

highest percentage of affected prime farmland and prime timberland acreage within the Affected 

Environment for this Alternative 3 route option.

Via Worcester

Within the Hartford to Boston via Worcester route option, which includes a route off the existing 

NEC, approximately 35 acres of prime farmland impacts would be in Worcester County, MA. The 

35 acres of impacts represents about 5 percent of the total acreage of prime farmland within the 

Affected Environment of that county. The highest prime timberland impacts within the new route 

would also be in Worcester County, MA. The approximately 240 acres of impacts represents about 

5 percent of the total acreage of prime timberland within the Affected Environment of that county. 

In addition, although Hartford County, CT, and Middlesex County, MA, would have lower acreages of 

prime farmland and prime timberland impacts, the Hartford to Boston via Worcester route option

would affect relatively high percentages of the total acreages of prime farmland (approximately 

6 percent) and prime timberland (over 8 percent) within the Affected Environment of those counties.

7.3.4.5 Stations 

The Action Alternatives include continued service to existing stations along the NEC, modifications to 

existing stations, which may require an increase in the station footprint, and new stations. No effects 

on prime farmland or prime timberland would occur at existing stations where modifications are not

proposed. Minimal effects would occur at stations where modifications are proposed and an increase 

in the station footprint overlaps with small noncontiguous tracts of prime farmland and prime 

timberland. Greater effects would be associated in areas where new stations are proposed and 

overlap with prime farmland and prime timberland. Table 7.3-8 and Table 7.3-9 identify those 

stations that overlap with areas of prime farmland and prime timberland. Appendix E, Section E.03, 

provides a list of all stations for each Action Alternative and related effects.

Table 7.3-8: Environmental Consequences: Stations – Prime Farmland 

State County Station ID/Type Station Name Alt. 1 Alt. 2 Alt. 3

DE New Castle 24/Modified Newark X X X

PA Bucks 53/Modified Cornwells Heights X X X

NJ Middlesex 62/New North Brunswick X X X

NY Westchester 151/New White Plains East X

CT

Middlesex 120/New Old Saybrook H.S. X

Fairfield 154/New Danbury X

Tolland 165/New Willimantic/Storrs X X

166/New Tolland/Storrs — — X

Source: NEC FUTURE team, 2015

Note: Quantities of impacts associated with stations are not shown. Acreage has been calculated only for new stations and is 

provided in Appendix E, Section E.03. 

X = Presence of resource within the new station footprint; effects would be subject to Tier 2 analysis.

Blank Cell = No effects identified for subject resource for listed station for specified alternative.

— =Not applicable within that alternative.

H.S. = high speed
7.3. Agricultural Lands (Prime Farmland and Timberland)

Page | 7.3-10 Tier 1 Draft EIS

Table 7.3-9: Environmental Consequences: Stations – Prime Timberland 

State County Station ID/Type Station Name Alt. 1 Alt. 2 Alt. 3

MD Anne Arundel 5/Modified Odenton X X X

6/New BWI Airport X

DE New Castle

24/Modified Newark X X X

26/New Newport X X X

28/New Edgemoor X X X

PA Bucks 53/Modified Cornwells Heights X X X

NJ Mercer 61/Modified Princeton Junction X X X

NY Westchester 151/New White Plains East X X

CT

Middlesex 120/New Old Saybrook H.S. X

New London 122/Modified Mystic X X X

124/New Mystic/New London H.S. X

Fairfield 154/New Danbury X

New Haven 155/New Waterbury South X

Hartford 161/New Newington X

Tolland 165/New Willimantic/Storrs X X

166/New Tolland/Storrs X

MA

Worcester 174/New Westborough X

175/New Blue Star Hwy (I-495) X

Middlesex

176/New Southborough/Ashland X

178/New Framingham X

181/New Riverside (I-95) X

Source: NEC FUTURE team, 2015

Note: Quantities of potential impacts associated with stations are not shown. Acreage has been calculated only for new stations 

and is provided in Appendix E, Section E.03. 

X = Presence of resource within the new station footprint; effects would be subject to Tier 2 analysis.

Blank Cell = No effects identified for subject resource for listed station for specified alternative.

H.S. = high speed

7.3.5 Prime Farmland and Prime Timberland Land Use Plan Review

In addition to the GIS-based analysis of effects, the FRA reviewed land use planning documents by 

states and federally mandated metropolitan planning organizations (MPO) to identify goals and 

objectives that correlate or conflict with impacts to preservation of prime farmland and prime 

timberland. Five of the states for which impacts are reported in Table 7.3-4 have set goals and 

objectives toward the conservation or preservation of farmlands and rural lands or contain MPO

area(s) that have set goals and objectives toward the conservation or preservation of farmlands and 

rural lands. Two of the states for which impacts are reported in Table 7.3-6 have set goals and 

objectives toward the conservation or preservation of timberlands, forest, and woodlands or contain 

MPO area(s) that have set goals and objectives toward the conservation or preservation of 

timberlands, forest, and woodlands. Table 7.3-4 through Table 7.3-7 indicate with a “+” symbol the 

states that coincide with these areas and that would be affected. For example, one plan outlines the 

need to support resource-based industries, such as agriculture and forestry from encroachment of 

incompatible land uses and the promotion of economic viability of these resources. This support

should include the preservation of relatively large contiguous tracts that sustain resources and 
7. Affected Environment, Environmental Consequences, and Mitigation Strategies

Tier 1 Draft EIS Page | 7.3-11

resource-based industries, such as agriculture.

1 Another plan outlines goals to reinforce existing land 

use policies that focus development in the region’s existing developed corridors that have 

transportation, employment, and utility infrastructure while conserving the region’s land areas that 

are integral for maintaining the region’s agricultural heritage.2

Appendix E, Section E.03, summarizes the land use planning documents and the goals and objectives 

set toward the conservation or preservation of farmlands, rural lands, timberlands, forest, and 

woodlands that coincide with counties that would have impacts. 

7.3.6 Context Area 

Conditions within the Context Area are similar to the Affected Environments for both prime farmland 

and prime timberland. No particular agricultural resource of special concern was noted.

7.3.7 Potential Mitigation Strategies 

An example of a programmatic mitigation measure for agricultural lands will include providing 

equipment access via rights-of-way. Where large, contiguous tracts of agricultural land might be 

bisected, coordination and arrangements with the landowner will occur to mitigate for access 

constraints. This will occur through monetary compensation or through a land swap. 

During Tier 2 studies, coordination with the NRCS (as applicable under the Farmland Protection Policy 

Act) to perform land evaluation and site assessments will establish a farmland conversion impact 

rating score. This score will determine if potential adverse impacts on the agricultural land exceed 

the recommended allowable level. If so, then the following mitigation strategy will be considered 

during Tier 2 processes: 

4 Slightly shifting the location of the analyzed alignment when there is an occurrence where the 

proposed alignment runs along the edge of a large contiguous tract

4 Majorly shifting the location of the proposed alignment when there is a large, contiguous tract 

that may be bisected

7.3.8 Subsequent Tier 2 Analysis 

For the counties identified in Sections 7.3.3 and 7.3.4, more-detailed analysis and coordination with 

local land use and zoning agencies would be conducted during the various Tier 2 studies where 

agricultural lands have been identified, to further define the actual amount of agriculture lands and

identify lands actively used or preserved for agricultural purposes and local land use and zoning 

restrictions. In addition, Tier 2 studies would include identification of farmlands of statewide 

importance.

 

1 Maryland Department of Planning. (2011). Plan Maryland: A Sustainable Growth Plan for the 21st Century.

Baltimore: Maryland Department of Planning.

2 South Central Regional Council of Governments. (Amended 2009). Plan of Conservation and Development – South 

Central Region. North Haven: South Central Regional Council of Governments.