Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 505 - Agricultural Lands Preservation Commission › Chapter 00 - N/A › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 1 - Rules and Regulations of the Agricultural Lands Preservation Commission › Section 505-RICR-00-00-1.7 - Scoring Criteria

Current through June 14, 2024
A. The Commission
				 shall adopt scoring criteria consistent with the Act and shall include:
1. Parcel Size - The minimum parcel size for
				 consideration by the Commission is set by the Act at five (5) contiguous acres.
				 The Commission defines this to mean five acres dedicated to or available for
				 agricultural production. Commissioners shall consider the overall acreage in
				 determining the extent to which the land furthers the goals of the Act. Parcel
				 size may be awarded up to five (5) points.
2. Soil Quality - The soil quality on
				 applicant farms shall be scored by assigning a "Relative Agricultural Value" to
				 the soils offered for the purchase of development rights. The Commission may
				 adjust the Relative Agricultural Value scoring to account for orchards and
				 other specialty crops. Soil quality may be awarded up to twenty-five (25)
				 points.
3. Agricultural Operation
				 and Viability - The Commission shall consider the actual and potential
				 contribution of the applicant farm to the state's agricultural community and
				 agricultural sector of the state's economy. Priority shall be given to farms
				 that are important to the overall and/or long-term viability of agriculture in
				 general in Rhode Island. Priority shall also be given to farms that are, or
				 have potential to be, financially viable as based on individual operational and
				 site characteristics. In determining agricultural viability, the Commission
				 shall consider the farm's geographical location including proximity to other
				 agricultural operations, markets, and suppliers, the farm's overall management
				 including agricultural infrastructure, diversified production, soil management,
				 current conservation practices and future conservation plans, economic
				 significance, the current business model, and future business plans including a
				 farm transfer or farm succession plan. Agricultural operation and viability may
				 be awarded up to ten (10) points.
4. Protection of Water Supplies and Quality -
				 The Commission shall consider how the acquisition of development rights to the
				 applicant farm could further the protection of water supplies and water
				 quality. Protection of water supplies and quality may be awarded up to ten (10)
				 points.
5. Open Space, Cultural,
				 and Scenic Features - The Commission shall consider how the acquisition of
				 Development Rights to the applicant farm may contribute to the preservation of
				 important open spaces, the conservation of cultural features, and the
				 preservation of scenic landscapes. Open space, cultural, and scenic features
				 may be awarded up to fifteen (15) points.
6. Flood Protection - The Commission shall
				 consider the value of acquiring the development rights to farmland in
				 floodplains and flood prone areas in order to prevent development and thus
				 protect against loss of structural improvements and threats to residents who
				 could otherwise occupy these areas. Flood protection may be awarded up to three
				 (3) points.
7. Demonstrated Local
				 and/or Conservation Organization Support -Demonstrated local and/or
				 conservation organization support, which may be in the form of letters of
				 support or financial commitment, may be awarded up to two (2) points.