Purchasing development rights allows the farmer to continue to farm the land, while compensating him for not selling the land for development. Since farmers are usually paid the difference between the price of land for development and the price of land for agriculture, they do not suffer an economic loss. Moreover, farmers have the right not to be in the program, they are not forced to place easements on their land. PDR provides security for our most valued lands and flexibility for communities to decide which land should be permanently protected. Each county in the study area is currently implementing some of these measures to combat sprawl.
Some plans are more effective than others are.
Officials are considering different measures to best meet the needs of their communities. By becoming aware of county residents' desire to protect farmland, these officials can better plan for the increasing development pressures on their communities. Local Land Preservation Efforts Referenda to save open space are not new concepts in Northeast Illinois. Many communities have begun the effort to save their open land. Unfortunately, many of these communities are acting after most of their farms have already been lost.