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Guidance on Gas Leases for Farmland Protection Entities in West Virginia

This guidance on gas leases is being outlined for the West Virginia Agricultural Land Protection Authority and the county Farmland Protection Boards. Federal policy is described below, as well as suggested policy to be adopted for use with local monies. Background information compiled by a working group of West Virginia Land Trusts is also attached, as well as excerpts from articles and on-line resources.
Download the "Gas Lease Guidance" Word Document to read more
Download the NRCS letter to Hampshire County Farmland Protection Board PDF

West Virginia Voluntary Farmland Protection : 2002-2007

Goals:

  1. Landowners in a county VOLUNTARILY participate in the program
  2. The county board or West Virginia Agricultural Land Protection Authority acquires the development rights from the landowner through a Deed of Conservation Easement
  3. Protect farmland

County Farmland Protection Boards are appointed by County Commissions to design a program that is responsive to local concerns and goals.  

To date, Farmland Protection Programs have been created in 18 West Virginia Counties and have collectively protected 8,238 acres of farmland.


Year 		Num of Farms Acres Federal FRPP $ (Millions) Easement Value (Millions)

2007

14

1397

$1.95

$4.31

2006

16

1504

$2.02

$4.56

2005

12

1585

$2.00

$6.19

2004

14

1772

$1.57

$5.40

2003

12

1200

$0.98

$2.74

2002

6

780

$0.40

$1.30

Total

74

8238

$8.92

$24.50

Total Federal Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) funding:  $8.92 million
Total local/county funding:  $15.58 million

  1. Average Easement Value - $2.974 per Acre
  2. Range of Easement Values $250 up to $16,000 per acre
  3. Average Farm Size - 111 Acres
  4. Range of Farm Sizes - 6 up to 380 Acres

Estimated Annual Dollars—  Land Protection

  • $4.7 – 5.0 million     County transfer tax
  • $1.8 – 2.0 million     Federal match - USDA-NRCS
  • Average # acres saved per year:  1,300 acres


 
 
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