Section 2-517.1 - Farmland Preservation Partnership Program. - Maryland Statutes

§ 2-517.1. Farmland Preservation Partnership Program.
 

(a)  Authority to establish.-  

(1) (i) The Foundation may establish a Farmland Preservation Partnership Program that is governed by the requirements of this section. 

(ii) The objective of the Partnership Program is to preserve productive agricultural and forested lands. 

(2) (i) The Foundation may form partnerships for the purpose of purchasing easements on qualifying properties. 

(ii) The Foundation's partners shall cover the full purchase price, which may include the administrative costs of any easement for which the Foundation will be the grantee or the co-grantee. 

(iii) The properties that qualify for the Partnership Program shall meet the criteria developed by the Foundation in accordance with subsection (b) of this section. 

(b)  Criteria for qualification.-  

(1) The Foundation shall develop criteria that determine when a farm qualifies for the Partnership Program. 

(2) At a minimum, any qualifying farm shall: 

(i) Meet the Foundation's size criteria; 

(ii) As determined by the Foundation, contain significant productive agricultural soil or forest soil; and 

(iii) Be approved for participation in the Partnership Program by the governing body of the local jurisdiction in which the property is located. 

(c)  Easements.- Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, an easement acquired by the Foundation in accordance with this section is not subject to the ranking, valuation, or development restrictions of this subtitle, except as determined by the Foundation's board of trustees. 
 

[2010, ch. 36.]