Title 25. Prince George's County Provisions — Subtitle 6. Agricultural Preservation Easement Program

agriculture, viticulture, aquaculture, silviculture, horticulture, or livestock and equine activities;

temporary or seasonal outdoor activities that do not permanently alter the property’s physical appearance and that do not diminish the property’s rural character; or

activities that are intrinsically related to the ongoing agricultural enterprise on the property.

the agricultural character of the property;

the scenic values enjoyed by the public; or

the governmental preservation policies furthered by the easement acquisition.

implement the policies of the county’s general plan and the Green Infrastructure Plan to preserve, protect, and enhance agricultural properties, particularly those in the Rural Tier;

preserve ecologically fragile and aesthetically valuable environments of the county, including streams, stream valleys, floodplains, wetlands, groundwater, steep slopes, woodlands, habitats, scenic vistas, and scenic corridors;

retain agricultural land and augment other local and State programs certified in accordance with the Code of Maryland Regulations for the preservation of agricultural land;

recognize the public value in protecting agriculture and agricultural viewsheds, vistas, rural culture and character, and longstanding agricultural enterprises;

limit nonagricultural uses;

conserve and protect biodiversity and wildlife and aquatic habitats;

promote interest in and the study of agriculture and agricultural preservation; and

promote tourism through the preservation of scenic resources.

agricultural preservation, outreach, and marketing;

maintenance of activities on agricultural properties of the Commission; and

the preservation of the agricultural industry.

establish an application process for the Program;

establish criteria for assigning priorities to applications for easements to purchase;

establish a process for negotiating the purchase of easements;

allow the District to procure any appraisals necessary for valuation of each easement; and

specify a method for appraising and valuing easements to encourage landowners to participate in the Program and maximize the acreage for easements to be purchased.

preserve, protect, and enhance agricultural properties; and

implement the purposes of the Program.

The Fund shall be used to purchase easements to implement the Program.

In deciding which easements to purchase using the Fund, the county planning board shall: