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Ranking
These criteria were developed following the criteria set forth in West Virginia State Code, Section §8A-12-15, Criteria for Acquisition of Conservation and protection easements by county farmland protection boards and the authority. Each of the following criteria will be applied to each deeded parcel separately.
A. Development Pressure- Points are awarded based on the location of the land and its potential uses. Greater weight will be given to land in agricultural use.
B. Total Acreage
a. A traditional farming enterprise that has the potential to be viable, is connected to directly to the acreage used in that operation. The rationale applied to this criteria is that the larger the farm, the better the chance for it to remain an economically viable farm.
C. Soils
a. A Soils Profile is an evaluation conducted by the Natural Resource Conservation Service. This profile is based on the types of soil on the land and its relative productivity of corn. This is an objective method of farm productivity developed by NRCS in the early 1980's. This profile would have a scoring range between 0 and 100.
b. NRCS Conservation Plan - Any farm that wishes to participate in Federal Programs must have an approved plan on how the land will be used over a period of time. These plans can be revised annually and ensure that measures are in place to minimize soil erosion and maintain water quality.
D. Property Contiguous to other Land Used for Agriculture
a. This criterion takes into account contiguous tracts of land assessed by the County Assessor as agriculture use.
E. Value of the Asking Price Versus the Value of the Easement
a. Through appraisal procedures established by the board, the value of the land will be determined for its use for agriculture and its value for other uses such as commercial or residential development. The difference between those two values is the value of the easement. The owner of the easement must determine if the full value is required to complete the transaction or if some more or less amount is required. Limited dollars for the purchase of easements can be spread out over more acres if the landowner is willing to take less than the appraised value of the easement.
F. Length of Easement – The West Virginia State Code requires that this be a part of the criteria, and states that easements will be for perpetuity. Only easements in perpetuity will be considered.
G. Historical and Natural Features
a. Land is Associated with an Important Place, Person or Event
i. Property on National Register - The National Register of Historic Places is the Nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of protection. Authorized under the National Historic Protection Act of 1966, the National Register is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archeological resources. Properties listed in the Register include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. The National Register is administered by the National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
National Register properties are distinguished by having been documented and evaluated according to uniform standards. These criteria recognize the accomplishments of all peoples who have contributed to the history and heritage of the United States and are designed to help state and local governments, Federal agencies, and others identify important historic and archeological properties worthy of protection and of consideration in planning and development decisions.
ii. Property is of National, State or Local Significance - These properties are of importance as defined by the Pocahontas County Historic Landmarks Commission or the Pocahontas County Historical Society and may not be on the National Register.
iii. Property is Adjacent to Such Area - The significance and historical value of such properties is only enhanced if neighboring lands are kept open.
iv. Contains Stone Fences - Along with marking the boundaries of their property, protecting crops from wandering livestock was an early concern of farmers. A stonewall was one of the first methods of marking boundaries and is a historical reminder of the past.
b. Adjoins State Park or National Forest, Existing Permanent Easement or Permanently Protected Open Space.
c. Contains Important Natural Features
i. Includes Area in 100 Year Flood Plain - The 100 year plain is determined by maps developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
ii. Contains mountainous terrain or scenic ridgelines.
iii. Contains at Least 10 Acres of Mature Forest - This will be determined by an onsite evaluation by the State Service Forester.
iv. Contains area of biological significance such as endangered or threatened species habitats.
d. Source Water Protection
i. Includes Frontage on Major Stream - The major streams of Pocahontas County include the Greenbrier, Elk, Cheat, Cherry, Cranberry, Williams, Gauley and Tygart Valley Rivers in Pocahontas County.
ii. Contains a Year-round Spring - This is defined as a spring that has flow through the normal course of the year under normal rainfall conditions.
iii. Contains a Wetland - The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service produces information on the characteristics, extent, and status of the Nation’s wetlands and deepwater habitats. The National Wetlands Inventory Center information is used by Federal, State, and local agencies, academic institutions, U.S. Congress, and the private sector. The NWIC has mapped 90 percent of the lower 48 states, and 34 percent of Alaska. Maps are provided to the NRCS or can be obtained to identify wetlands in the county. These sensitive areas provide havens for many species of wildlife and
iv. Contains Karst topography with a Sinkhole(s) or caves, etc. - Sinkholes are direct links between surface water and groundwater. They are common where the rock below the land surface is limestone, carbonate rock, salt beds, or rocks that can naturally be dissolved by ground water circulating through them. As the rock dissolves, spaces and caverns develop underground. Sinkholes are dramatic because the land usually stays intact for a while until the underground spaces just get too big. If there is not enough support for the land above the spaces then a sudden collapse of the land surface can occur. Since these are ever changing, a visual inspection of the farm will be required to determine if there is one or more on the land. Caves alone have their own unique and fragile ecosystem and provide safe harborage for many species of flora and fauna. They are also unique in that they are direct vectors to the groundwater and therefore must be protected from opportunities for surface contamination.
H. Land Evaluation Criteria: How to Evaluate Your Property - Referring to the Farmland Protection Ranking Criteria, the landowner can make a preliminary calculation of the points his property would accumulate. There is no point limit or threshold that automatically grants a landowner acceptance into the FPB program. The points serve as a method for the Board to fairly evaluate each property. The point total for each property would be used to rank all offered properties; properties with the highest total numbers of points would gain priority for funding and acceptance into the program.
All criteria on the chart are weighted, which reflect the value that the Board has placed on that item. All purchases must still be approved by the Pocahontas County Commission.
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