HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2011-023 •
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 1011-241
CLEARANCES Initial Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned to:
Natural
Originator: SLKL R u I� �G July 26, 2011 Resources
Division Head: 1111 . V E 7 / 26/ 11 Council
, Dept. Head: lliD �W�+"— i 14 i U L' i ,9 20 fl
Prosecutor: /� — 'N(/ WHATCOM COUNTY
Purchasing/Budget: COUNCIL
Executive: ?(' 7- 14-'11
TITLE OF DOCUMENT: - -
Resolution regarding the Whatcom County Ag . Strategic Plan -
discussion and declaration of support .
ATTACHMENTS: Cover Memo, Proposed Resolution, Whatcom County Agricultural Strategic Plan,
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis
SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( x ) NO Should Clerk schedule a hearing ? ( ) Yes ( x ) No
SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( x ) NO Requested Date:
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
The Agricultural Advisory Committee and staff will present and discuss the Agricultural
Strategic Plan . The proposed resolution declares support of the Strategic Plan , and
affirms support for the county's Agricultural Program and Agricultural Advisory
Committee . More documents and information can be found at
http : //www .whatcomcounty . us/pds/planning/agricultural program .jsp
COMMITTEE ACTION:: COUNCIL ACTION:
7 / 26 / 2011 : Forwarded to Council for approval 7 / 26 / 2011 : Council Approved 7-0
Res . 2011-023
•
Related County Contract #: Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution
Number: Res . 2011-023
Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing
on the County's website at: www.co. whatcom..wa. us/council
SPONSORED BY: Planning
PROPOSED BY: Planning
INTRODUCTION DATE: 7 / 26/ 2011
RESOLUTION # 2011 -023
DECLARING THE COUNTY COUNCIL'S SUPPORT FOR
THE WHATCOM COUNTY AGRICULTURAL STRATEGIC PLAN
WHEREAS, the Agricultural Advisory Committee was established under
Whatcom County Ordinance 2001 - 036 and is governed by Whatcom County
Code Chapter 2 . 34 ; and
WHEREAS, the Agricultural Advisory Committee is to provide review and
recommendations to the Whatcom County Council on issues that affect
agriculture, including assistance with establishment, promotion , and
implementation of a comprehensive agricultural protection program ; and
WHEREAS, the county has identified 100 , 000 acres as being the minimum
acreage needed in farming to support a viable agriculture industry in
Whatcom County ( RES 2009-040 ) ; and
WHEREAS, the county has identified areas outside the roughly 87, 500 -acre
Agriculture zone where agricultural land protection efforts should be
strengthened ( RES 2009- 040 ) ; and
WHEREAS, the Agricultural Advisory Committee and staff were requested by
the county to recommend options that strengthen farm land preservation
policies in these areas ( RES 2009-040) ; and
WHEREAS, the county has requested the Agricultural Advisory Committee's
2009 list of tools and strategies be further developed with recommendations
made that enable implementation of these tools ( RES 2009- 040) ; and
WHEREAS, the Agricultural Advisory Committee conducted open public
meetings in 2010- 2011 to develop an Agricultural Strategic Plan that creates
a road map, including specific tasks and priorities for implementing
agricultural protection measures ; and
WHEREAS, the Agricultural Advisory Committee unanimously voted to
endorse the Agricultural Strategic Plan on May 12, 2011 ; and
WHEREAS, members of the Agricultural Advisory Committee and staff
discussed the Strategic Plan with the County Council at the July 26, 2011
Natural Resources Committee meeting ;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council
hereby endorses this Whatcom County Agricultural Strategic Plan , and
commits to the time and resources necessary for its implementation ; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Council affirms the important
role of the Agricultural Advisory Committee and Agriculture Program staff in
developing recommendations for appropriate code changes and
comprehensive plan amendments as identified in the Whatcom County
Agricultural Strategic Plan .
APPROVED this 26th day of July , 2011
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY,
``s� �Y C �04/ Ili' WASHINGTON
• . . . . •
°18( COUNTY �•:r
_ • * 4
Dan�,B i 'wrt�lflav` �Cbuncil Clerk am Crawford , 'Chairman
`.
APPROVED as to form :
a
Civil De . utyProsecutor
•
WHATCOM COUNTY AGRICULTURAL STRATEGIC PLAN
Planning & Development Services ;P
sew`kM `°°�;
May 17, 2011 s GOO
DISTRiBUTED T"O
JUL 15 2011
ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS
WHATCOM COWIN COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY or,Foo Pete Kremen
EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE * ' ar < County Executive
County Courthouse
311 Grand Ave. Suite #108 `+s,NiNaor
Bellingham, WA 98225. _
May 19, 2011
Dear Whatcom County Citizens:
The Whatcom County Agricultural Advisory Committee has worked hard over the
past seven months to create an Agricultural Strategic Plan that can serve as the
centerpiece of our agricultural program's efforts and provide a roadmap in the work to
conserve and strengthen our agricultural economy.
According to the 2007 USDA Census of Agriculture, Whatcom County ranked at
the top of all western Washington counties in terms of the market dollar value of
agricultural production . Our market value here is nearly 326 and a half million dollars
annually, and gaining in value.
The Agricultural Advisory Committee plays an important role in providing review
and recommendations to the Whatcom County Council on issues that affect agriculture,
as well as providing a forum for farmers and others interested in enhancing and
promoting the long-term viability of Whatcom County agriculture.
I commend the work of the committee and the Planning and Development Services
staff that support them. I know they will be looking for input and support from a broader
audience as they work to implement the tasks outlined in this Agricultural Strategic Plan
over the coming years.
Sincerely,
Pete Kremen
County Executive
Office 360 676 6717 Fax 360 676 6775 TDD 360 738 4555
1
Whatcom County Agricultural Advisory Committee
q a
May 17, 2011
si
Whatcom County Executive Whatcom County Council
Whatcom County Courthouse, Suite 108 Whatcom County Courthouse, Suite 105
311 Grand Avenue 311 Grand Avenue
Bellingham, Washington 98225 Bellingham, Washington 98225
Honorable Representatives,
The Whatcom County Agricultural Advisory Committee met for a regular business meeting on May
12, 2011 and voted to endorse the Agricultural Strategic Plan developed with the support of Planning
and Development Services staff.
The purpose of this Whatcom County Agricultural Strategic Plan is to describe the role Whatcom
County Planning and Development Services will play in implementing an agricultural program consistent
with County Council Resolution 2009-040 and Comprehensive Plan goals. It is intended to be a roadmap
for maintaining and implementing an effective agricultural program over the next five years.
We recommend that you endorse this plan, and work with Planning and Development Services to
maintain the necessary staff to support implementation of the tasks outlined within it. We appreciate
your continued support of agriculture in Whatcom County, and look forward to working with you over
the coming months and years to strengthen the agricultural industry within our county.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Lesa Boxx, Chair, Agricultural Advisory Committee
cc: Whatcom County Planning Commission
I.E. "Sam" Ryan, Director, Planning & Development Services Department
Committee Members:
Lesa Boxx - Chair, Debbie Vander Veen - Vice Chair,John Bayer, Ed Blok, Dave Buys, Brian Cieslar, Vicki
Hawley, Larry Helm, Mike Finger, Wesley Kentch, Todd Jones, Leroy Plagerman, Richard Yoder
Staff Contact: Samya Lutz (360) 676.6707 x 51072 - Whatcom County Planning and Development Services •
5280 Northwest Drive Bellingham, WA 98226-9099. slldutz@co.whatcom.wa.us -
WHATCOM COUNTY AGRICULTURAL STRATEGIC PLAN
Planning & Development Services 4i GGN :G`2i
May 17, 2011 O z
SHINGt
Table of Contents
1.0 Project Description and Introduction
2.0 Land Available for Agricultural Use
3.0 Effective Agricultural Programs and Regulations
4.0 Maintaining Public Input
5.0 Measurements Toward Progress
6.0 Appendices
Purpose: To describe the role Whatcom County Planning and Development
Services will play in implementing an agricultural program consistent with County
Council Resolution 2009-040 and Comprehensive Plan goals.
•
1.0 Project Description & Introduction
Whatcom County is poised to build on prior work assessing its agricultural programs and
activities. This strategic plan coordinates and integrates the efforts underway through the ,-.
Purchase of Development Rights Oversight Committee, Agricultural Advisory Committee,
Natural Resource Marketplace working group, Planning Commission and Council who all have a
goal to effectively protect our agricultural economy and working lands. These and other local
agencies' and nonprofits' goals can be aligned in a coordinated fashion when it comes to .1;
articulating the present and future objectives of Whatcom County's agricultural policies and
programs.
The overall objectives of Planning and Development Services' agricultural program are: =J
• To ensure a minimum of 100,000 acres of land are available for agricultural use to
maintain the necessary land base to support an economically viable agricultural
industry;
• To create and maintain strong, clear, concise, and effective land and water programs
and regulations that benefit the agricultural industry and are in compliance with federal
and state law;
• To maintain public input and see that the agricultural community has a voice through
the Agricultural Advisory Committee and the Purchase of Development Rights Oversight
Committee; and
• To effectively measure progress toward and communicate about these objectives.
The following pages of this strategic plan explore how best to achieve these objectives.
Previous work is referenced, and in some cases, various options are presented . The
implementation of the plan will require close work with the Agricultural Advisory Committee,
Purchase of Development Rights Oversight Committee, Natural Resource Marketplace working
group, and other local entities, incorporating their ideas and recommendations. Planning and
Development Services staff support for agricultural programs was recently reduced, leaving
about 1.0 total FTE now available for the work outlined in this plan, including less than full-time
support from a senior planner, planner II, and GIS planner.
Review of the Rural Study Areas, Purchase of Development Rights Target Areas, Agricultural
Protection Overlay, and Agricultural zone for possible alignment and/or changes will be
necessary in order to reduce the existing complexity of the county's various agricultural
designations. This review and other activities contemplated in this plan will ultimately lead to
recommended changes to the agricultural lands portions of the Comprehensive Plan and
development regulations. The intent of this plan is not to accomplish these tasks, but to lay out
a clear path or optional paths to take that will lead us toward accomplishment, and allow us to
measure our progress along the way.
Page 2
Il �
•
2.0 Land Available for Agricultural Use
Whatcom County has identified the minimum of agricultural land necessary to be available for
agricultural use as 100,000 acres, in order to keep the agricultural industry — and those
businesses that support it — economically viable.1
Many questions surround this objective, such as: What is agriculture, what does it mean for
land to be "available for agricultural use," and how do we measure and track the quantity and
quality of agricultural lands over time?
Definitions
For the purposes of this plan, we approach the definition of agriculture in a number of ways.
Agriculture that is commercially significant and a driver of the economy in Whatcom County, we
are referring to as "commercial agricultural" or the "agricultural industry".z Agriculture that is
conducted on a smaller scale, by those deriving an alternative primary source of income, we are
referring to as "noncommercial agriculture".3 The market value of agricultural production in
Whatcom County is estimated at 326.5 million dollars annually. Just over 45% of farm operators
state that farming is their primary occupation, with their farms ranging in value of sales from
$5,000 to over $500,000 annually.4 All of these operations contribute to the strength of
Whatcom County's economy.
It is difficult to characterize the acreages attached to commercial and noncommercial farm
operations, respectively. While we have overall data for farm operations in Whatcom County
published by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) through the National Census of
Agriculture and released about every five years, this data is not tied geographically to specific
farms. The Whatcom County Planning and Development Services department (PDS) is
1 Appendix 3 includes a portion of Resolution 2009-040 outlining this target goal. The goal was established in part
through 'critical mass' research published as part of the "Whatcom County Rural Land Study: A Collaborative
Report Identifying Rural Areas of Agricultural Significance" in 2007.
2 This could be defined by a variety of parameters, one of which is gross annual sales. The overwhelming majority
of these farms in Whatcom County today produce dairy or berry products, and farm-derived income is generally
the primary source of income for the household. While the overall average farm size in the county is about 69
acres, it is likely the average farm size for farms engaged in commercial agricultural is much larger.
3 Again, this could be defined by a variety of parameters, one of which is gross annual sales. These farms may
produce a diversity of market crops, nursery crops, livestock, and other products, though the farm-derived income
is generally not the primary source of income for the household. While the overall average farm size in the county
is about 69 acres, it is likely the average farm size for farms engaged in noncommercial farming is smaller.
4 USDA-NASS 2007 Census of Agriculture (see Appendix H).
Page 3
T1
1
undergoing its own land cover characterization (see Appendix F) using GIS aerial technology,
6
but this data is not associated with specific farm sales or farm size.
The agricultural community prefers to define agriculture by place and place-based criteria. In
2007, the "Whatcom County Rural Land Study" was published which used specific criteria for
identifying rural lands of agricultural significance. The criteria used to identify these lands is
included in Appendix J. Farm activities occurring in these areas of high agricultural value —
including within the Agriculture zone and these Rural Land Study areas — warrant policy
protection with targeted incentives, while activities occurring outside these areas may not (with
possible exceptions discussed below).
Available for Agricultural Use
Within Whatcom County's agricultural areas, on both commercial and noncommercial farm
land, all of the land is not available to be used for farming. Streams, forests, wetlands, and non-
farm related homes and businesses may be interspersed throughout the area of operations.
These lands are not available for agricultural use.
Soil scientists have identified about one hundred different kinds of soil types in the lowlands of
Whatcom County, most of which are well-suited to cropland, hay, and pasture. Soil
management concerns for farmers generally center around water: water availability, water
capacity of the soil, water permeability of the soil, seasonally high water tables, wetlands, and
seasonal flooding are all management concerns that vary to degree depending on the particular i
soil type, slope, and location. Operations vary also in their soil and water management
infrastructure, some having significant drain tile infrastructure, and water rights. All of these
variables contribute to the degree to which these areas are "available for agricultural use." For
example, a farm with no water rights and soils that have low water holding capacity would have
questionable commercial viability until irrigation water were to become available.
Characterization of land cover depicted on recent aerial photos of the county show that about
18% of the current agriculture zone is likely not in agriculture use. Rural areas outside the
agriculture zone where high concentrations of farm activities occurs show that about 40% of
these areas are likely not in agricultural use as evidenced by aerial land cover characterization.
Whatcom County also has an Agriculture Protection Overlay zone that was established in 1997
and applies on a parcel-by-parcel basis (using specific criteria) over the Rural zoned areas that
}
cover approximately 118,000 acres of land. Estimations of how many acres the zone applies to
based on the criteria spelled out in Whatcom County Code 20.38 show roughly 27,000 acres
affected.6 The APO zone requires development to be clustered and a reserve area created
where agricultural use can theoretically continue. Based on land cover analysis of completed
5 Identified as Rural Study Areas in the 2007 Rural Lands Study by the Agricultural Advisory Committee.
6 The total land area effected by the APO depends on current use taxation status as well as soil types, and is
scattered throughout the Rural zones.
Page 4
APO cluster developments, approximately 61% of these areas are apparently in agricultural use.
Assuming the entire area affected by APO would have a similar percentage of agricultural land
cover, we can estimate that the APO areas consist of an additional 16,500 acres of agriculture.
Area analyzed Authority Study Acreage ` Percent AG Current AG Acres
'+
Land Cover
,
Agriculture Zone County Code 87,500 ac 82% 72,034 acres
APO Affected Areas County Code 27,138 ac 61% 16,554 acres
AAC
Rural Study Areas recommendation 22,000 ac 60% 13,200 acres
The agricultural community may want to consider recommending a reasonable multiplier to be
added onto the 100,000 acre number in order to account for lands that are not actually
"available for agricultural use." A reasonable multiplier for Whatcom County farmlands may be
somewhere between 15% and 40%; for example, we could assume about 20% of the total
acreage of land set aside for agriculture will not be available for farming due to limitations and
incompatible uses. If such a multiplier were established, the targeted total acreage of
agricultural lands would be more than 100,000 acres, acknowledging a portion of that area
would not be available for agricultural use.
The last question about the 100,000 acre target has to do with whether or not the acreage
should be relatively contiguous. Currently, Whatcom County has designated an Agriculture zone
which is a relatively contiguous area of land covering about 87,500 acres; and an Agricultural
Protection Overlay (APO) that applies on a parcel-by-parcel basis over the Rural zoned areas,
covering roughly 27,000 acres of that area! The APO requires cluster development on parcels
larger than about 20 acres in the rural lands that are outside of urban growth areas.
The county Agricultural Advisory Committee studied the Rural zoned lands and published a
Rural Lands Study in 2007, which identified areas outside the Agriculture zone recommended
for heightened protection because of their agricultural use and viability. These are referred to
as the Rural Study Areas (RSAs) and comprise about 22,000 acres of land in R(5)A or R(10)A
zoning contiguous to Ag zoned areas.
Some within county leadership have suggested the APO be repealed and replaced by a rezone
of the RSAs to Agricultural zoning. Others have suggested the county examine additional
alternative agricultural zone designations. Currently there is one Agriculture zone option in
Whatcom County with a 40-acre minimum lot size; other counties offer more than one possible
The total land area effected by the APO depends on current use taxation status as well as soil types, and is
scattered throughout the Rural zones.
Page 5
- 1
Ag zone.8 Most agree that the APO approach works well only in limited situations, and that an
alternative approach would likely be a better fit for Whatcom County.
There is general agreement within the agricultural community leadership that a relatively
contiguous block of land should be identified for agricultural policy protection, as opposed to
scattered sites throughout the county. The vast majority of the contiguous agricultural lands lie
within the north-central part of the county, with the core areas circling Lynden. Stretches of
agricultural lands reach from the core west past Custer, east past Sumas, southwest to the
Lummi Reservation, south in a scattered pattern toward the Bellingham urban growth area, and
southeast toward the Mount Baker foothills and the South Fork of the Nooksack. It is the areas
in and around the core where agriculture is to be encouraged and prioritized through financial 3
and programmatic incentives and expanded use opportunities.
This said, there still exist pockets of vigorous agricultural activities outside the core, where
because of the quantity of farmable land, prime soils, water, historic activities, and current
agricultural use, the agricultural community wishes to preserve, and to encourage agricultural
activity to continue. These smaller areas are important in order to augment a minimum base;
areas such as Squalicum Valley, North Fork Valley, Aldergrove Road, Sand Road, South Pass ,
Road, and possibly others. The Agricultural Advisory Committee will establish a clear process to
allow a landowner, or a group of landowners, to petition for inclusion in the designated
agricultural area in order to access the agricultural land protection policies and incentives. Such
a process would aid landowners who are farming away from the contiguous agricultural lands
to continue farming with the same protections and incentives afforded to farmers within the
core agricultural areas.
Measurements
These issues relating to how to define agriculture, how to account for land within the county's
100,000 acre critical mass that is not actually "available for agricultural use," and whether
Whatcom County's agricultural lands should be contiguous, will continue to be discussed in
detail by the agricultural community, with recommendations made that can be implemented
and acted on by staff. Criteria for measuring current availability and future changes of
agricultural land are necessary for making progress toward the 100,000 acre objective.
The county has both policy and regulatory designations for agricultural lands. The policy
benchmark is the Agriculture Comprehensive Plan designation which currently covers nearly
85,000 acres. By this benchmark, the county falls short of its 100,000 acre objective by about
15,000 acres. The regulatory benchmarks are the Agriculture and Agriculture Protection Overlay
zoning designations. The only current regulatory tool that protects agricultural lands in a
relatively contiguous area is the agriculture zoning district, making this a readily available
se
8 See Appendix G for a comparison chart of WA county agricultural zones.
„:s
Page 6
•
benchmark for measuring protected agricultural land acres: By this benchmark, Whatcom
County falls short of its 100,000 acre objective by about 12,500 acres.
Only those lands zoned Agriculture that also fall within the Agriculture Comprehensive Plan
designation are protected by both regulation and policy. For example, some Agriculture zoned
lands lie within urban growth areas, or urban growth area reserves, and retain their Agriculture
zoning as a holding pattern for future urban development. These lands do not make sense to
include within the acreage considered to support long-term agricultural operations.
The Rural Lands Study established that many acres exist outside the current Agriculture
Comprehensive Plan designation that, due to their agricultural use and viability, deserve
heightened protection; yet these areas have limited regulatory or policy designation for
agricultural use at this time. The next section goes into detail on the programs and regulations
that may be used to get us closer to meeting our objective.
Page 7
. n
%',i
3.0 Strong and Clear Agricultural Programs and Regulations ° "
The Whatcom County Agricultural Program housed currently in the Planning and Development . .
Services Department is but one program of a larger agriculture support structure across the
county and state. The county program needs to acknowledge and coordinate with others in
1
order to assist in avoiding redundancy and overlapping jurisdiction. Other agencies and
programs relating to county agriculture are listed in Appendix E.
At the same time, Planning and Development Services needs to ensure the programs it does
administer are carried out in a strong and clear manner that is effective, that reduces
uncertainties for farmers, that makes progress toward achieving long-term objectives and
outcomes, and that is in compliance with federal and state laws.
7 .�
As discussed in the previous section, identifying 100,000 acres of relatively contiguous
agricultural land is the first objective of the agricultural program . This section lays out priorities
and tasks that will help achieve the 100,000 objective. It also lays out the need to comply with
state policies and regulations as Whatcom County PDS works to meet its own objectives.
Priorities are then separated into categories based on the timeframe within which they can be
accomplished: 'Immediate priorities' are first steps that can be accomplished in a one to two
year timeframe; 'Short-term priorities' are those that can be accomplished in a three to four
year timeframe; and 'Medium-term priorities' are those that will take at least five years to ?
accomplish. :.
Compliance with Laws
Whatcom County must undergo a periodic review and update of its Comprehensive Plan
pursuant to RCW 36.70A.130. Part of this process entails reviewing the Comprehensive Plan
chapters for consistency with state law, and particularly with state law provisions which have
changed since the last county Comprehensive Plan periodic review and update. The Agricultural
Lands portion of the Comprehensive Plan lies within the Natural Resources chapter. The
narrative, goals, and policies of this section will be reviewed, partially in reference to the
following portions of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). While these reviews are required
by law, they also tie back to ways in which we can accomplish the objective of having 100,000
acres of relatively contiguous agricultural land available for farming.
Designating Agricultural Lands of Long-Term Commercial Significance
RCW 36.70A.170 (1)(a) requires counties to "designate Agricultural lands that are not already
characterized by urban growth and that have long-term significance for the commercial
production of food or other agricultural products," with further guidance on the designation
and regulatory process given in WAC 365-190-050 (see Appendix K) and 365-196-815. Going
Page S
tiJ
•
through a designation process using guidelines similar to those found in the WAC might assist
the agricultural community in addressing the questions discussed in Chapter 2.0 of this plan.
Ensuring Accessory Uses Support and do not Interfere with Overall Agricultural Use of
Property and Neighboring Properties
RCW 36.70A.177 has changed since 2005 when Whatcom County's Comprehensive Plan was
last updated, and therefore Whatcom County is required to review its plan for consistency with
these revised RCW provisions. Currently, WCC 20.40 (Agriculture zoning district code) allows a
variety of accessory uses on agricultural lands which do not appear to be consistent with the
provisions of this revised RCW. While the AAC has begun to discuss the issues of appropriate
accessory uses consistent with 36.70A.177, no recommendations have yet been made for
changes to the Comprehensive Plan and County Code.
Immediate Priorities
The incentives available for landowners involved with agriculture through programs and
regulations need review and discussion in order to craft recommendations that target
agricultural protections in a relatively contiguous area of the county. One example of this is the
Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program. The PDR Oversight Committee has
recommended changes to improve this program, and an appraiser is developing a valuation
formula to allow farmers to get a rough estimate of the value of their development rights prior
to embarking on the long process of selling them to the county in the form of a conservation
easement deed. Completed PDR transactions have been relatively opportunistic and scattered;
Oversight Committee members are asking if there are ways to strategically concentrate efforts,
following recommendations of the Agricultural Advisory Committee. At least one other nearby
county only allows PDR program eligibility for landowners within the Agriculture zoning district.
The Agriculture zoning district (WCC 20.40 and maps) needs to be reviewed, along with the
Agricultural Protection Overlay zone (WCC 20.38 and maps). The rural areas meeting criteria
similar to the state designation criteria, as well as criteria laid out in Appendix J from the Rural
Land Study should be redesignated to a new or existing agricultural zoning designation and
Agriculture Comprehensive Plan designation, according to parameters and recommendations
developed by the Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC).
Additional incentives, including the 'low-hanging fruit' of the tools recommended by the AAC
and the County Council (see Appendix C), such as the Right to Farm improvements, may be
incorporated into the draft changes to programs and regulations.
Short-term Priorities
Additional programmatic and regulatory changes that require slightly more time for research,
discussion, and coordination can be accomplished over a three to four year period. This
includes changes required by state law, as outlined previously, including the Comprehensive
Plan periodic review and update (Agricultural lands portion of Natural Resources chapter),
Page 9
development regulation changes for consistency, and review of both the Comprehensive Plan
and development regulations for consistency with RCW 36.70A.177 that addresses uses
accessory to agriculture.
Short-term priorities also include coordination activities with the Health Department, Public
Works, and the natural resources division of Planning, as well as the Public Utility District and
other agencies, during updates and activities such as the ACHIEVE community action plan
implementation process (specifically items related to farms and food), the Coordinated Water
System Plan Update, and any updates to existing critical areas policies and regulations.
?:
Additional incentives for agriculture, including the slightly more complex tools outlined in the
AAC recommendations such as the parcel reconfiguration and clustering tools, may be
incorporated in this stage. Developing recommendations having to do with mitigation for the _,;
•
loss of agricultural land is also a short-term priority.
Medium-term Priorities
Programmatic and regulatory changes that require significant time for research, discussion, and
coordination due to their more complex nature are assumed to take five-plus years to
accomplish. These are important and promising topics that are of significant value to the
agricultural community, but that have legal, financial, or political complexities that require
more time. Coordination with the Natural Resources Marketplace (NRM) group is one such r
priority that impacts many others. AAC-recommended tools such as tax abatement, lease of
development rights, and transfer of development rights all may have an increased likelihood of
implementation because of the focused work underway through the NRM process. The NRM
group is a way to continue the dialog, research, and coordination with other agencies that is
needed to better understand the complexities of all these potential incentives and tools, as well
as the very critical issue of securing water rights for farmers.
Tasks (in priority order) This section provides an overview of the specific tasks that will define
the Agriculture work program. Each task includes estimated resources needed to accomplish
the task and the year the task would begin and end. Resources are for a Whatcom County ='
employee full time equivalent (FTE), and the cost if the task could be effectively contracted out.
The range included with FTE resources represents whether an outside contractor would be
used.
The overarching highest priority is the continuance and maintenance of the "Agriculture
Program" within the county government. Staff support is necessary in order to achieve
momentum and continuity in pursuit of the agriculture program objectives. The amount and
professional level of support available will determine both the timing and quantity of work
achieved. Maintaining support for the AAC is a key part of an effective agricultural program, as
well as the other subtasks below. Current resources devoted to the agricultural program total
about 1 FTE, which includes a Planner II assigned at roughly 0.6 FTE, a Senior Planner assigned
Page 10
•
at roughly 0.25 FTE, a GIS Specialist assigned at roughly 0.1 FTE, and administrative assistance
of roughly 0.05 FTE. To complete the tasks listed below, as well as in the following Sections Four
and Five, within the estimated timeframe given, will require either about 2.3 total FTE of
staffing, or a combination of contractors and additional staff.
PDR program: Maintain support for the PDR Oversight Committee and work with them to
develop recommendations for program improvement, including adoption of new development
rights pricing tool and review/modification of PDR eligibility areas.
Resources: 0.5 FTE
Schedule: Ongoing; recommendations for program changes- 2011
Review Rural Study Area Agricultural designation process: Work with the community to
identify if any new or changed zoning designations are needed, building on the direction
outlined in Resolution 2009-040. Once identified clearly and in accordance with RCW
36.70A.170, implement — write draft ordinance to change development regulation language,
zoning maps, and/or Comprehensive Plan language. Complete staff report and attend Planning
Commission and Council hearings.
Resources: 0.4-1.0 FTE (Contractor option : $80,000)
Schedule: 2011 - 2012
Right to Farm Improvements: The MC tool recommendation was to review the Right to Farm
ordinance to see if it is possible to make it more effective at the farm level, including looking at
strengthening farmers' recourse against those who bring failed lawsuits against them. Other
work items under this task include coordination with law enforcement with regard to
complaints from nearby non-farming neighbors.
Resources: 0.3-0.6 FTE (Contractor option : $50,000)
Schedule: 2012
Parcel Reconfiguration tool development: The AAC tool recommendation was to allow
reconfiguration of parcels (within and across ownership) to place the existing development
potential in areas that are the least valuable as farm land.
Resources: 0.3-0.6 FTE (Contractor option: $50,000)
Schedule: 2012 - 2013
Coordinate with other agencies to reduce overlapping jurisdiction: look for opportunities to
eliminate redundancies between local, state, and/or federal agencies with regulations that
impact farmers. Where possible, establish communication paths and agreements that guide
jurisdictional and regulatory roles as they relate to Whatcom County farmers.
Resources: 0.3 FTE
Schedule: 2013
Page 11
A
GMA Update, Agricultural Accessory Uses: Implement AAC recommendations for
Comprehensive Plan and development regulation review and update that are consistent with
RCW 36.70A.177 through work sessions and hearings with the Planning Commission and
County Council.
Resources: 0.4-1.0 FTE (Contractor option: $80,000)
Schedule: 2012-2014
Water system planning & agricultural planning coordination: When the Coordinated Water
System Plan is updated, it should address irrigation and other agricultural water needs.
7 "
Agriculture program staff need to coordinate with the AAC and water system planning staff to
ensure the water needs of the agricultural community are incorporated into the updated CWSP.
Resources: 0.1-0.3 FTE (Contractor option:. $25,000) . I.
Schedule: 2011-2014 Li a
Expedited permit review & other incentives for Commercial Agriculture: Review existing
incentive programs with the AAC and develop recommendations for changes and additions that
would work within state laws to ease regulatory and financial burdens through policy and
development regulation changes that substantially benefit commercial farmers.
Resources: 0.6 FTE
Schedule: 2013-2014
Mitigation for the loss of Agricultural land: The AAC has expressed the desire to explore
agricultural mitigation options and potential regulations. Currently there is the perception that
critical area concerns trump agricultural concerns. Agricultural lands are lost due to conversions
of the land to development, critical areas banking, and other types of conversions. The
agricultural mitigation task would entail the development of policy recommendations to govern
all conversions away from agricultural land.
Resources: 0.3-0.5 FTE ($40,000)
Schedule: 2014-2015
Natural Resource Marketplace (NRM) development: Work with the NRM group on water
issues, transfer of development rights program development, and other planning-related
incentive programs that have the potential to use the marketplace to compensate farmers for
the services they provide. The NRM group was initiated primarily due to farmers' comments
that they would be willing to trade off their ability to develop their land in exchange for
obtaining the legal right to water.
Resources: 0.15 FTE
Schedule: 2011-2015
Page 12
4.0 Public Input
The two agricultural committees are an invaluable resource for county staff and policy makers.
The agricultural community sees potential changes to county agricultural policies and
regulations continuing to go through the Agricultural Advisory Committee for
recommendations, and Purchase of Development Rights policy and transaction
recommendations continuing to go through the PDR Oversight Committee. State Growth
Management law requires early and continuous public involvement, and these committees are
an important way to engage the farming community (and others interested) on a regular basis
in planning-related agricultural issues.
A recent report highlighting research results from seven interviews of past Purchase of
Development Rights program participants contains recommendations for improved public
involvement. When it comes time to engage a broader audience in programs or regulatory
discussions, farmers appear to be recommending outreach and publication in their alternative
news outlets, and when possible, in-person discussions at meetings already attended by those
in the farming community. Outreach should provide opportunities for farmers to talk about
their experiences related to county programs with other farmers.
Maintaining these committees also provides the broader public outside the agricultural
community to engage in discussions related to agricultural programs, policies, and regulations.
They are welcomed and accommodated through open public meetings of both advisory
committees, as well as the formal public processes that occur as changes make their way
through the Planning Commission and County Council.
Tasks
Maintain regular meetings of Agricultural Advisory Committee:
Resources: 0.3 FTE
Schedule: Ongoing
Maintain regular meetings of PDR Oversight Committee (This task has already been considered
within the "PDR Program" task in the previous chapter):
Resources: 0.3 FTE
Schedule: Ongoing
Facilitate biannual outreach discussions:
Resources: 0.05 FTE
Schedule: Ongoing
Page 13
IJ
1.d
vA
a
aary�
5.0 Measurements toward Progress
1
By tracking basic information related to agriculture and reporting results on a regular basis,
Whatcom County can provide a valuable service to the agricultural community. There is no
known source of compiled multi-agency data on agricultural issues in Whatcom County, yet
data is a critical component to measuring progress. The county could compile data from other
sources and make it available in a user friendly way to the broader community. Periodically, the
county could add new data gleaned from staff GIS analysis. The information would relate back
to the Agriculture program objectives in order to know whether programs and policies are T-s
achieving the intended results.
Some of the indicators useful for providing an agricultural status report include:
• Mapping of land currently in agricultural use — Methods used would be consistent with
land characterization effort underway by Planning and Development Services
described in Appendix F; reported as new aerial photos become available.
• Permits - Agricultural building permits and new single family residential permits in Ag
zoned areas, available on an annual basis.
• New irrigation water rights issued, available through the Department of Ecology.
• Exempt wells installed for domestic and agricultural use
• Market value of agricultural products sold — US Agricultural Census. 11
• Number of Agricultural Advisory Committee meetings held, Purchase of Development
Rights Oversight Committee meetings held, and other opportunities for public
participation related to the agricultural program.
• Area of farms enrolled with WA Dept. of Agriculture or Whatcom Conservation District
in a farm planning program.
• Incentive program participation including Open Space Agriculture current use taxation,
Purchase of Development Rights program, and others. 7
3
Tasks
Mapping Agricultural lands based on Whatcom County aerial photos: conduct GIS analysis of
land cover using updated aerial photography, and other agency GIS data if available.
Resources: 0.2 FTE (Contractor option: $25,000)
Schedule: 2011-2012, continuing periodically
Page 14
t
•
Compiling data and publishing an agricultural status report: Compile information from the
USDA-NASS Agricultural Census, Whatcom Conservation District, Whatcom County permit
system, and other available data sources to establish a consistent set of information on which
to evaluate the changing face of agriculture in Whatcom County.
Resources: 0.05 FTE
Schedule: Biennial, ongoing
Page 15
ry
6.0 Appendices
_
A. Draft Gantt chart for agricultural program 2011-2015
B. Logic model
C. Council Resolution 2009-040
D. Possible agricultural protection matrix example y'
E. County agencies and organizations involved in agriculture
F. Map series ,-
G. WA counties agricultural zoning comparison
H. NASS 2007 Agricultural Census for Whatcom County
I . Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan, agricultural goals & action plan
J . Rural Land Study selection criteria 1
K. Washington Administrative Code, agricultural designation criteria
' 1
1
"3
3
1
Page 16
et g9
Appendix A — Draft Gantt chart for agricultural program 2011-2015
ID Task Name 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Otr 1 IOtr21003 I Otr 4 Otr 110021Otr 3 iota I Otrl IOU 2100310041Otr 1 1002 1043 1004 Otr110tr 210031004 .
0 Ag Strategic Plan Implementation __.._ 7
1 Strategic Plan completion 8 submittal ...... * _
2 PDR Ptogrom
3
•
PDR Program Administration
115 MOgi6ogontb Pro9mmguMelmes
•
116 Developmentol valuation/!sting tool
177 - _-- Review Of targeted areas •
118 Planing Commission work sessions/hewing
119 County COUncc wwk 5215IOns/twang -- - -
120 _AgricWWral Advisory Committee meeting support gevalmt■' ■ 4
121 Meetings, preparations,10110,1110 _-- _-- _ III I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I 1 1 1 1 1 1 I
162 Rural Study Areal Ag Zone/APO review •
163 . ._.. - CP 32oNrg maps _ . ....'.''-.
164 Comp Pion language -- " " -
165 Development Regulation language "
166 Plann'rg Commission work sessions/hearing — ---
167 ......_._- County Counce wont sessbm/hearing
168 Right to Falco improvements
169 Work w/AAC to clever® recommendation
Pbnnn9 GOnvnission wok sessions/hearing
171 County Council work sessions/hearing _ . . . .
1/2 Parcel Reconfiguration tool •
P
•
173 Work w/AAC to develop recommendation
174 Planning Commission work sessions/hewing
175 County Council work sessions hearing
176 Agency Coordination grimunisem■Ip
177 Identify canted*
178 Research relevant policies& laws •
179 Develop reconwnendatbns fw changes ........ •
180 GIAA periodic review&update
181 Chapter 8-Ag review& recommendations .
182 Accessory uses cm ag land review a recommendations ...
183 Development Regulation changes tor consistency w/GP-
g • .. . . _
184 Planning Commission work sessions/heann
185 . County Council work sessions/hearig -'-
186 CPISP UpOate coordination IPA.
iBT Attend meetings 8lioisan vNOp community to ensure draft addresses ap concerns III. I I I [ I I I I I I I I I I
204 Incentives for commercial eg • te
205 Had fntemal FOS discussions an options suggested by AAC
206 Develop recommendations w)AAC
•
Project Ag Strategic Porn lmptementa Tam Progress Smnrtnry tttmetilmiell External Tasks 4: r • 11 Madan) 0
Date:Fri 325111 SpM le-.....................P„II„011 Milestone • Protect Summary b +i External Milestone 0.
Appendices:Page 1 •
Appendices: Page 1
ID ask Name 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
001 1082IOtr3IOb4 081 1082 I OW 3IO04IO01IO02 IOU Ia041 O01 Iag2 10g 3 Iatr 4 O01 1 002 I CO3IO04
207 Planning Commission wodc sessions/hearing
at
208 County Coded work sessions/hearing
209 Ag mitigation policy recommendations
____._.._..._........ _
210 Develop recommendations w/AAC _
211 Planning Commissions wok sessions/hearing __--_________•—
212 County Council work sessions/hearing
213 NRM development 8coordlna0on - — - I� •
214 Attend meetings,research,develop recommendations I_ I I I I I_ I I I I I I I_ I_ I I_ I I I I
235 Additional biannual outreach meetings/discussions • 4
236 Plan and host open houses or informational sessions in conjundlon with other ag activitie, I I I I I I I I I
246 Mapping of ag land cover through aerial GIS analysis •
247 Initial land cover analysis LAMM
248 Ongoing land cover analysis updates 88 GI
251 Publish ag status report
252 Gather data from other agencies I I ? ]
256 ._._._.._ Compile WC data ] I
260 Create report -. — —— ___._
I I
Project Ag Strategic Plan lmplenenta Task Progress as Summary •• •• ■■ External Tasks v' Deadline 0
Date: Ri 3/25/11 SPIV 11111111111111111111111111111111111111 M6estone • Project Summary 4J - V External Milestone 0
Appendices: Page 2 •
•
Appendices: Page 2
J
�..,._,.., �.� x� �,_.._ _. ... ._■■ .U ,. u.,. ___""_r .......�,� ,b,x- .. .,. „ An .,.na.,.. w
�...� rte:w..� ,o� - ._.'
Appendix B — Logic Model
Assumptions: land and water use policies®ulations play a role in what land is mashie for farming in the county,saddle easewah which farmers can turn.
Whatcom county Comprehensive Plan policies and zoning regulations must be consistent with each other and with the state Growth Management Act
Fanner and Ag industry input and participation in development of an AG Strategic Plan will lead to abetter product
Significant work and public inputs documented in recent;tanning documents related to the protection of AG,recommendations from these documents toll hdpguldethe CountyStrategic Plan.
f p x � * � _' '"' Q � 's`$'"` .l Alt 3� i��d � 'F t F�w, , -t e ' S b#,y r� i Iii fi� Ar jr°
$v..^ ..,hw�., '.. _ 3.uleeo�, ..z�.,�F. .. e / `"t { ,.
�
Staff time ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS PARTICIPANTS SHORT TERM MEDIUM TERM LONG TERM
Committee & agency time
OFP grant money Develop GIS data and GB Maps and Report Assessment of current Ag County resources are User friendly, agricultural
Previous work products: analysis related to AG (quantify characteristics Agricultural Advisory lands and usefulness of assigned based on - land-and water-related
in acreage &%s) Committee APO Strategic Plan - policies and regulations
Mr�2G+ 'T i- dsT=z that reflect the uniqueness
-�_ - Identify changes to Final Strategic Plan lays Purchase of Development Staff clarity in the AG Options are assessed of Whatcom County, and
• -' r°'-_ih -, -p zoning and development outs County Mission Rights OC program mission. through a public process are in compliance with
n regulations favorable to - related to AG, with farmer participation. state laws.
AG Improvements to county Farm Friends & other Build on partnerships to Preferred alternative
WFF Priorities regulations, a plan for nonprofit groups develop consensus on changes are implemented. Meet contiguous 100K ag
Recommend options for meeting GMA obligations, steps the County will take - land goal
moving forward with how to coordinate with - Consultants to support AG.
changes to the water resource programs, Greater stability and
-m---- Comprehensive Plan for and an estimate of WC staff Implementation options certainty In the use of land
OFP 2009 work products GMA consistency resources needed to be are delineated clearly, Measures: for AG purposes in
successful Other Ag leaders (agency with an analysis of their Changes to policies and Whatcom County
__ `"'"- Meet with Committees reps) strengths and weaknesses, regulations are adopted by .
-»c=-- and other stakeholders that address Council Agricultural land uses are
Farmers recommendations for Ag the highest and best value
ray? .:`=7- Farmer surveys and Farmer inteMews & Comp Plan and zoning Funding fora PDR program of the land.
z - interviews on POR report Appraiser chapter improvements equal or greater than
(Including APO, AACtools, current funding Measures:
' ""- Refine PDR selection PDR program County Council Rural Lands Study, and Ag economy is greater than
criteria recommended changes PDR program) Land purchases are or equal to today
Planning Commission - completed more efficiently
•
. Meetings with Council User-friendly Measures:
..'^-._-" , Natural Resource presentations created Council resolution - Number of County
Ag Advisorytools Subcommittee approving the Strategic employees working an AG
recommendations Discussions held Plan and changes to PDR program
w/policy-makers by July2011
Appendices: Page 3
. 7
1
Appendix C — Whatcom County Council Resolution 2009-040 (excerpt) 71
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that we -- . _3
confirm that 100,000 acres of land available for agricultural use is the minimum
goal for ensuring a land base necessary to support a viable agriculture industry in
Whatcom County; and ' 1
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the recommendations of the 2007 Rural Land Study
by the Agricultural Advisory committee indicating specific rural areas of the County
where agricultural land protection efforts should be strengthened are accepted; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Agricultural Advisory Committee and staff are `
requested to recommend options for code and comprehensive plan amendments to
strengthen farm land preservation policies in the areas designated by the Rural - 3
Land Study; and 4
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the identified tools and strategies presented by the
Agricultural Land Program Technical Review Committee and the Agricultural
Advisory Committee are endorsed for further development and consideration and `3
that we request that the County Executive authorize County Planning and ; a
Development Services staff to work with Council staff and the Agricultural Advisory
Committee to develop and recommend appropriate code changes and
comprehensive plan amendments enabling implementation of policies to strengthen !' 3
the protection of agricultural land for agricultural use to include further defining the •
•
relationship between protecting agricultural land and critical areas; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that potential effects on agricultural land and its use for
agriculture must be considered in the other planning processes currently underway
including the size and establishment of urban growth areas and review of the .
county's rural areas; and
i
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council acknowledges that the Agricultural l
Advisory Committee and community-based agricultural interest groups, e.g.,
Whatcom Farm Friends, support the development of an integrated county land use
policy that Incorporates and considers the implications for use and availability of
water for agriculture, the implications for availability of water for non-consumptive y
and in stream purposes, and implications on other natural resources in land use
decisions.
APPROVED this 7th day of July , 2009 i
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
�Y�'Y �'�`— al. _ers ' ' t
Dan4Brovyi 'is, CQtiliAcil Perk :01rh Flee • rood, Chairman
'% •.18Hlte,•
, , . ��.
ttttt flea``, i
APPROVED as to Corm :
/ / 3
Civil : - • uty Prosecutor
- 2
Appendices: Page 4
5 abed 3a3!puaddy
Rating of degree of conflict(incompatible development,CAO,etc.)
Rating of Importance
•
Appendix E — Governments, County Agencies and Organizations involved in Agriculture
• Commissions (county, state, and regional)
o Beef, Cattlemen
o Blueberry, Raspberry, Strawberry
o Dairy
o Seed Potato
• Ditching, Diking, and Flood Districts
• Futurewise Whatcom
• Public Utility District No. 1 of Whatcom County
• WA State Conservation Commission, Office of Farmland Preservation
• WA State Dairy Federation & Whatcom County Dairy Federation
• WA State Dairy Women & Whatcom County Dairy Women
• WA State Department of Agriculture
• WA State Farm Bureau & Whatcom County Farm Bureau
• WA State Recreation & Conservation Office (Farmland Preservation Program)
• Whatcom Conservation District
• Whatcom County Agricultural Advisory Committee 1
• Whatcom County Purchase of Development Rights Oversight Committee
• Whatcom Farm Friends
• USDA-NRCS
• Youth organizations: Future Farmers of America & 4H
• Environment:
o Nooksack Tribe
o Lummi Nation
o Whatcom Land Trust
o Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association -
o Shellfish Districts
o Puget Sound Partnership
o WA State Department of Ecology, Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Health organizations:
o Health Dept (overlap w/ACHIEVE goals — Access to Healthy Foods and Community Food
Systems planning)
o SeaMar
o Whatcom Coalition for Healthy Communities
• La bor/Farmworker support organizations:
o WA State Office of Rural & Farmworker Housing
o Community to Community Development
o Opportunity Council
• Market-grower:
o Farmers Markets =
-
o Growing Washington
o Sustainable Connections
• Research, Training, Marketing, Access to capital & land
o Farm Credit & ESA
o Kulshan CLT
o Northwest Ag Business Center
o WSU Extension
o WSU — Mt Vernon NW Research & Extension Center
Appendices: Page 6
3r. 3P
s i d f• If f c T L � b r .d . I i viir
' t d ti ' r l_( / I, foie a °�� 1
� r
f ` • ithil
halm, 3I3F 11 1 ' � LIf r t � l K PI 111
I1 7, E a. Win` i i
. i lI , " y I I dli . a I
4
x11 - , , ‘‘ ; Y�`rs •If pi`s h . I I
Ann
1 -Watt � pa$ / I /i j I\ Il '0 11h11,,,,_, , ,
-}•i•r „^ b r • .i a �e 0. , I -r iL 8
POta
24:11.
.. Att./ °�i`� ‘''t, i, j`x' i t i \', 54,741:1t"( 11 Cite IIii a` spy.'. ,� `)40Fx Q ' _ �� k 2 u� 4a r pl ... . l! t� W ?`. rrd .- 7 g c■
f iti'z +mom � 5 �'; � 2 Tin 1 S J .'� y F� 6
( ," 4u yit,- ,.. S. L k ��4 �r � ` "� tip 9 H a E
+ r
el's. ` Y<� rx -145x(ryxt'2^'i '•t Vok
'4- M
/ to -'x`�*%ix'+ �
.t; �.b �.. . .-pie! ? .-t fi e- o
l L
-'S ` 'V'.: Ir i- _ Y a4 i ' e1 L fityi e�trh = i It
I .4
�Y ' / rC ! ,{ r �' tr".. -'T4f"'✓ g " R �'' i.x�., # 0 �y �/
1 v/ t ty} s. + r ' fit Fill
? , tts k ,. ,.. j" CS) F U. S
.,n,,,_/ F '� `. Ifs :,rte <ia ' r yr `,' C
i
CL Srrox � " ; 5 ek°£ N
LL
X_
•C
N
<
-1
..a. m
v n INASFAINGTON
15 2
T ' IN ''-9•
r� )l4; m � s.e.rne ' w I testl ' + 1 �h'�
_
r f � "
(� �+
i9
i t �' t6
� 3
I -ry
/
m r . a � �� 'Y{' � pnp. t' J
P
• i
R a �? b� �_ I I:11 -3-• �� { i-' n
MIMI T' �re' L"E e If S ya v wv S . .a
J ' ��
t RIP
<y ; I
''44 is,g t 44. 41/4.4 .e 410.
caa..me..a y
r1
< s ' $J i1 . Y e : < < t 1y.�
Vitt i
IT
‘,"•rt IY j ° 1
,
A ,
eam.wtl dR _ l '
d
°\,^ x 0 j .71111:1- f eft'no
' ti A ., Ar ;$ v . y
e, AEt1ff M1'3nP0-. Z sin � 1F n
L , - .
c„, r.„.„„ �
s _Ill BP .}a. '" ,. qa rl t ic"-'=+ e 1 ' 13
o.
\ M. s.., m I I va cT
`L uxmiova RI sl _ .Y.
�p
RP Y a s ,
,. Wit N
.,
1 ! , Y ,
t.. t E4 ��LnmeMRd
J i.I e R(5) .
C
a x xa
__ma�
� / : 4 2 R n '•: i R(5) S� tea.X
•• u,_ Mm
J
■
sRe4 �t J
I °r
' ). _It
: .
_.._. Appendices: Page B .___
A
-
wry
-
ON w o
•
T m _ _.
a t. - • • p ., • •'r .
- s-e“ a‘ 4.414 z_L.4
1.•_ es . .
.. . . W 01-
wi:. - I • i � aiJ{ - ,' r=` ;• , • �'g +ice I
F • ;yes 1104 r y �( fl1'.1:1 :. R�!9� + ] ,;� _ f`
i v 1 y, ' ', 1 .. r.
ow
f C �� i
Q` fir ; . f w l7 . ' v • �,
,i W j
i • Q '( V ,r .%ce � • �-, � r 11 '
„ 7 ' •
co anti'
° ..� .I__ I. ` _
4 P ;,r:
. I ft y a°
It f
: •
f y _it ' � >. ..
4."3• ` 1r ' i , -I 61dr`TE"Vd ;A.. _gal_.__ I .. AG-
a;
l i
.a. ±'
'•,'.$v r'\_ ii,f.• S• • l
• a.. n...ill. •ir x. �"f��,� l�y R @a� �1 '--
Y/ r mod ' • � asll�eaa - A1' 1 ---If
tSL& HJ31 , 1 ay;...) • _ '3' S . . . + L ..
tusk, X11 5 , Y . � ,
t ... ' ero,n fl. '. d J A 1 ,
3� ' '� I t . ` 'lv5 R )\ . __. , ate- F r,- _
8 . R ..w a raj rc -- 1 I,-.0 �� ; ) _+',"�' r� �iYy, 1!�.'1,r Li,: ' ! I i •. .. � �n4��}� :a �r F � 1 • '
I `� {, `_ 1 ICR��'2Pn qc ... Ate .;
cqo . 'a ‘1 EI i 3 u � a, rw!-R(7O�y� a „(,'(t0)
rw° c i . ---- •,-� -I i ?`L Yew :_�,•
_r s, 1 - IEERNDAL\E •) \ ` s I _. '1 a ��►
F1Y •� 1 I c. Aft ^ ,
1. Ott�a uY w'n_si �� Y ._
a TAR VIE' r - r ( eI � i 91iI3 :I ?! r - A
h ; E .,� yg AG••
r aa. .4 .' 1 > / .--
• Appendices: Page 9 - - - - --
.n
K.
s
CANADA R2E � R3E xn �_
� — • '
` ' • !I
• _ tis J: NU a
IM Ii._�' I (ire MO
�t CT— t Ra 1f
I , '4 < :
�a-,i- ' �►A €ye I Ate" i SL Y Z
4 L E M “K-T. Qf T r k1E esa j
• n`5`" I p • ■ r-10-4; --I .• -1 eR
•
.e '
s Ir > , f
„} he �Ik Rd J7 '1
{ tia Ra 3k s'
11
} d 7S 4�� � . �, 10R L : 3/am!}� "_ , I i y I `� ^ 4 .i�g� of r -x IRS
s. f. : ,M , 6i „ 176" 4 as p1 ,.
oA 4. ,01J _.,- ., ,s _S _, •by
a�f i .,ti ki . _.
ire 7
��,k� � ti -$rt T • 7C
_ r 4 7 i 11 ( I v ill 1
II �
2,3
.-- Appendices: Page 10
Y
:
R3E R4E x 'si-gagelastalicgte, _.
V 5 � ♦ aft
AG ` r
IMt Ra J i ,ti
I
A
- - ♦1 .xx. iY Ra 61w t f .} aas .. 4.-'16`
m 2:
is s I ?_ ' if—.t ' ' ;&}.ay
.I
1 1 p l A: P`' E t . ,•Rt('5) k
• 7 4). y- dt_.jt a - . r 1 4 il •
--Wti _ � 6amy r .: SACKI ar,'ak \ '-,r .
! I F a . R— AG 0, u
I
1 j ... ---Z----Ili, % i f it,,N__ v lam" ��`. lsone W - ,�' Y 1 e_y.. ibli -°`
:'ITT , I ♦ K R iL . ' ?.k8
i . . It - E LER. i. i i♦ T.. ® , . rr r, ��
!Is `� }:
" kS * e ;:
iit
ji
• .jj �,§w0; r . ..
�
. i na iI ,y '/ R' - : � . ♦ °@�1(`*S• r i� s' lj ' 1
rr t
Y
4 7"tr . -V,
_ ''.4.-4/- 'p
: I t •may-yrs — .'`saw` iy.. „�. Y
fe F A 7 .
r
it �� q �. a' P � � _ .
Appendices: Pagel]. - --------
,24.) E M '4, ','," r 3 - r arm sp , ' x r A 3 a a i � s•
, i 194 t
_ n
r" _
\ ® Oh - "om
` ,`
a .1
t. }` `—=
a f NI
jai
...`�� f It 1 N 919{ z r [ i m
s s s vim, �' CAI : � ,r \ z �"--„-._� n
� f fl Yn '-'`....m. v
��
AA ; ` y 1t
3b u} av b' 6 _ J 1 G ���ti...T.'
AzILA
� .x S
� � n " ;_
y '' ,' Y 1' S t-A 4 "0, o 1 i ' a i+, FZ .a. at.w ∎r `r.
i {j�t Z 7 ,S>r� ry A Lair, Y-^�
it
..r
M rE; )( _
T Ir- y r < °. " ti} ` 8 q � - -° 2 Y � T ' a � y ;° rh � c Ate"'?§.r+ il6� � f d y S d 0 . 1P qv{ -.,N ' w 5
rwis
it
t ,7ti N 1 ..,,,, it l
• ,' , ..�
taTi-
- ,: tip°_ \ I �j� ...,._' }
.441.4 as mryv f ° * r, q I
,s ,� !`�'in`2�Fc ,,,, t� x ' ,-- " r • e I \ f �'_. p5 .ma)
rN • 3
� i v
K .oau If °°
t { Y _ NkYMILO >,
a�3 "fit y • ^ +' Ilkt g. > `� is-/
I ° \'')�rF9 V. t cc.,❑1. A s > . �%
a� S r �� ' n
• Vl � , t �` aw�•> +' "+gal _ +9 d
i°1 rrt
L #
r 11 il /�s 4. WOnry 4 i\ a Dar 8 li}� 5 , ' Z � s\
mI
el
'l as pent
p _, tom;} M a/
8 I
Tt c Qa, 5 1 s
•
FT CL
2,
1:- .770,
sp
�� �i ( �-� M.74 0( a OA a'� .aa �{' '4 '.a )9t� +, .rY. � J �' .. _.
4 -X b .)`-7-9/.2--''''''v-fl- c ... 3 a'"uv 748 r a l v '_K
� � �j� ry
P v
v N r .�. .cs } 'sr"""arc .ts��
xi
1 - �'. .. St r ,4X i
a
� v ;• w \
:.I , 1° ° t 4' 3 R5) " r 9 �, go t3 x4
� R4 r 1
` 4 .�x, l `gyp l
SJ 1 p a� Xe ,�„�
Yi V� icWrf, CK ';'..",-44
^s
t
nn
A I { keAa98 R4 f, /• (( ,��,-v 1, ry � ,�av .. . I
' � w Bekervkw Qa ^a Belo- ( till • "b. 'E ibC G >� ,. .;
LtFsd M\
r / 11•
to P 1 3 A BYVer t) '
BaRCh ,°4. 4;1 =�y�N t. iimeamsst
8 . , {NGH Afyf r'- .I
takewei o'. i t '�.
i :TA � n
s: I 1 4+, (� R� ''A11 el ilk wst
Reg� - 3N
ct fort')
/ i I
6AIFdhIAVEN i'
r.
I 4 winssY. ;J Y � .-
eeae � °' a 1 WOK,. a1991WiMMiR I 4 ., :
1 m B : t"1
c. m ^s a2 (4 `',
1n 6� �/ \\\ %\,.. i
A J
- - - - - — Appendices: Page 14 — -- ------
������ M F Mi,,�. f zit.
ESmNRr q'
c 4a
r
4 .�I .. 4, °
)(array � � e4 : •?
t �s
ir.
r4"r. / I / / A �
rine
1 , rt, e R �� _ J .%u
`t
Re
4i
-- ,4t4 I
TN.
} rl
�. < .
na L R(5) i , �< + ' r � ,•
Y V v "r it ?
N., ,
' r . �ls i- �� . �`a R(to(,� -,y a
-.. \ 1 �1 R(5( f ' r h t
Wit .
IR
1
�. \ --1----... %Rf
C. n- Sudden : w \`'• �)}�? 1 ^r g��9 I
�, mil .SkC,�W5) ` �%'= .� , ,c d;,�®fig
�1 oJ , 1 �N -\ �. - aL
t/ , Mir"%� `'\1(Para*x i. - \�.� 1 rt� .-,. �,
p(5)
-- - - Appendices: Page 15 -
177:7 -1 .r., n
■
-
•
drys 5 r x
f
niatt.tr
1 / � °�
®
i i '''‘.."uA
� � _ ■ ------i
,a,
no
Q.
\' t ®
wry . e t {(q� ,
c'e v w
ct
9 rc p x + y t 2
Yr
CC
� l a, 4 .$ _ r °t . .., i
■
MN ems. i i
C
•
, . ..„
. . . L
Legend
ED Rural Study Areas
Land Use
Single. Family Residential
Farmstead SFR
Multi Family SFR/Mobile Home Park
Farmstead. Infrastructure
Commercial/Public/Education
Farmland, Active
Farmland, Fallow
Woodland/Forest
Quarry
Vacant
Water/Stream/Wetland/Lake
Zoning Designation
Agriculture
x` Rural (10)
:I Rural (5)
Appendices: Page 17
Appendix G -WA Counties Agricultural Zoning Comparison
I Avg mkt Ag zone min lot size(acres)1°
Land in No. Mkt value all ag value per
Population") farms ' Farms") RI farm") - 5 I . 10 I - 20 I ° 40 I other
WeS.trside.C.ountie z . , ).:...))/...., ).).': ,-. ..... .. ..9 , .4,_ .. , ,x ._ , ,f.. .r. ,w. ._, ., , _ m 4 _ );!-1.).... .)::))) , ,L, . , - , __ .. _
Clafam 70,100 22,800 512 $10,767,000 $21,030 Ag Retention 16
(33.07.010)
Clark 435,600 78,400 2,101 $52,691,000 $25,079 Ag 20 (40.210.010) Ag/Wildlife- 160 ac (40.210.010)
Cowlitz 100,000 30,700 481 $26,458,000 $55,007 Ag 5 (18.10) Ag 36; Ag-138
(18.10)
Gray's Harbor 71,600 119,300 628 $32,821,000 $52,263 Ag 10 (17.12) L-T Ag 40 (17.16)
Island 81,100 17,700 458 $14,344,000 $31,319 17.0
( Ag 10 Commercial Ag 20
(17.0 Ag
(17.03.100)
Jefferson 29,300 12,700 211 $8,689,000 $41,179 Resource 20
(18.15.020)
King 1,933,400 49,300 1,790 $327,269,000 $71,100 Ag Resource 10 Comm/Ind Ag 35
(21,432.040) (21,4.12.040)
Kitsap 248,300 15,300 664 $6,985,000 $10,520 No ag zone(s) found
Lewis 75,600 131,600 1,717 $109,996,000 $64,063 Ag Resource 20
(17.30)
Mason 57,100 25,200 471 $36,963,000 $78,478 Long-term Ag 10
(17.21)
Pacific 22,100 61,700 390 $34,996,000 $89,734 No ag zone(s) found
Pierce 814,600 47,700 1,448 $83,402,000 $57,598
All 0
(18,417.03.030)
San Juan 16,500 21,500 291 $3,6174000 $12,431 Ag 10 Ag 15;Ag 20 Ag 40 (18.30 and CP maps)
Skagit 119,300 108,500 1,215 $256,248,000 $210,904 Ag-NR140 34.16.860 allows substandard lots
(14.16.400) with Conservation Easements
Snohomish 711,100 76,800 1,670. $125,619,000 $75,221 Ag 10 (30.23.030)
Thurston 252,400 80,600 1,288 $117,885,000 $91,525 L-TAg 20 (20.08A) Nisqually Ag 40 allows for S acdivisionsw/no
(20.08C) residence(s) allowed
Wahidakum 4,150 12,000 119 53,067,000 $25,773 No ag zone(s) found
Whatcom 195,500 102.600 1,483 $326,450,000 $220,128 I I Ag 40 (20.40)
Appendices: Page 18
i i �- ; L,....:2; , ,. .,., 16. n
Avg mkt Ag zone min lot size(acres)In
I I tandln No. Mkt value allag value per
Population:1i farms In Farmslrl l4 farm1A ° 5 " 10 I " ZO - 40 I other
Central WACountiesi , „ s ; ., ,, . .. . , F _w ,_.
Benton 172,900 632,600 1,630 $525,918,000 $322,649 Ag 20 (56)
Ch Alan 73,300 91,900 979 $7011,200,01111 $713,778 Commercial Ag 10
(11.30)
Douglas 38,500 883,100 955 $193,367,000 $202,479 Commercial Ag 5 Commercial Ag 10 Oryland Ag 20
(18.34) (18.36) (18.40)
Grant 87,700 1,088,000 1,858 $1,130,191,000 5640,576 Ag 911 (431(4.66q
23.12)
Kittitas 40,500 191,100 1,038 $60,949,000 $58,717 Ag 3; AS 5 (1728; Ag 20; Commerdal 17.314
17.28a) Ag (17.29; 17.31)
Klickitat 20,500 601,200 893 $57,298,000 $64,163 Extensive Ag 20 Extensive Ag 40 (all 2.6)
Okanogan 40,900 1,205,200 1,662 5208,758,000 5125,606 A6 Residential Ag 20117.07)
(17.08)
Skamania 10,900 5,500 123 $2,661,000 $21,635 Forestry-Ag 10 Forestry-Ag 20 (all 21.56)
Yaldma 239,100 1,649,300 3,540 $1,203,806,000 $340,058 Ag 40 (15.21)
Appendices: Page 19
Avg mkt Ag zone min lot size (acres)13)
Land In No. Mkt value all ag valueper
PopuiatIonlsi farms ' Farms pi farml)i " 5 I " 10 I " 20 .I " 40 I other
6astaide enmities. _ i e.: , ., is . „ , , ., a ,>.. — . t, , . . .l. ..,� , , ,._ _ . O, . . -.
Adams 12,300 1,098,500 782 $344,130,000 $440,064 I I � Gen(17eral 16)Ag 20 Prime Ag 60 (17.12)
Asotin 21,700 273,900 192 $13,376,000 $69,668 No ag zone(s found
Columbia 4,150 313,300 283 $39,819,000 $140,702 Ag5 - Donal Ag 30 -Transttonal Ag 40 (Section8)
(Section 9) (Section 10)
Ferry 7,850 759,500 232 $2,913200 $12555 Ag 20 (Section 9)
Franklin 75,500 609,000 891 $467,014,000 $524,145 Ag Production 20 Ag Production 40
(17.10) (17.12)
Garfield 2,300 308,200 239 $26,440,000 $Uo.629 Ag 5 (1.03) Ag-Transitional (no specified
minimum lot size found)
Lincoln 10,500 1,090,200 798 $126,216,000 $158,165 Ag 20 (17.02)
Pend Oreille 13,100 55,100 316 $2,818,000 $8,917 Natural Resource 20 Natural Resource 40
(Title XX) (Title )0 ).
Spokane 470,300 626,300 2502 $117,065,000 $46,789 Sm Tract Ag 10 Lg Tract Ag 40 01114.606)
Stevens 44,300 531,100 1258 $24,530,000 $12499 Ag 20 (Title 3)
Walla Walla 59,600 682,400 929 $344,489,000 $370,818 Residential Ag 10 General Ag 20 Primary Ag 40 Exdusive Ag 120 (a1117.18.020)
Whitman 43,600 1,271,100 1247 $254,031,000 $203,714 Ag 20 - no only existing' residences allowed
residences (19.10) under specifications
-
(II WA state, Office of Financial Management, 2010 Population Estimates.
in 2007 National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA Census of Agriculture
m County code research done between July 2010 and April 2011 (code citations in parentheses)
Appendices: Page 20
. ' ::a i ...; _..I ... ,/ -1 ..,j a rn
;,r
Appendix H — NASS 2007 Agricultural Census for Whatcom County
2007 CENSUS 0F'
AGRICULT.iRE :
County Profile ti
Whatcom, Washington k fi r
2007 2002 %'change
Number of Farms; 1;483. 1,485 0;
Land in.Farms- 102,584 acres 126.027 acres - 19':
Average Size of Farm 69 acres 100 acres - 31
Market Value of Production $326,450.000 $287,860,000 + 13
Crop Sales $99,897,000 (31 percent)
Livestock Sales $226,553,000 (69 percent)
Average Per Farm $220,128 $193,845 + 14,
Government Payments . .$1•,050;000 $4;029,000; 74-
Average Per Farm $3,594. $18;314 - 80-
Forms by Size Land in Farms
?CO nyryp• of Ladd
eco
umland
eoo 71.8.
•@ ca
• 069
2% 7 agsn
100
osme
a
1-9 16-19 59-179 1e0-499 S00-999 1.0004 Wngbnd
9.318. :
USDA j `Pi> United States Department of Agriculture
www.a census.usda. ov
National Agricultural Statistics Service 9 g
Appendices: Page 21
.
3
a
207 cEsus of 1
RICULTURE
Count Profile , ;� � : � t
Yom : Y , �, 1
Whatcom, Washington
Ranked items among the 39 state counties and 3,079 U.S. counties, 2007 `
Item Quantity State Rank Universe 1 U.S- Rank Universe 1 .,.,}
MARKET VALUE OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS SOLD ($1,000)
Total va ie ofagdaMnal podus add 326450 7 39 137 2676 =:
Value of crops iMUdmg nursery and greenhouse 99.897 13 39 373 3.072
Value of livestock.paltry. aMOe'vpTMUCt 22&553 3 39 101 3.09
VALUE Of SALES BY COMMODITY GROUP($4,000)
Grans oilseeds. dry beans. and dry peas 2.682 17 38 1.70 2933 -..J
Tobacco (-) (-) (-) (-) 437
Conn and cottonseed (-) (-1 (-) (-) 628
Vegetables. n tons, pdabes.and sweet potatoes 10.815 8 37 176 279e
Fruits.tree nuts.and beetles 65.788 9 39 51 2859 .' 1
Nursery. greenhouse. floeia ise.and sod 16730 7 38 193 2703
Cut Christmas trees and short rotation woody Daps 878 5 33 52 1.710 _..)
Other crops and hay 2,030 18 30 867 3,054
Poultry and eggs 11.481 7 39 532 3,020
Cattle and calves 24.135 7 39 555 3,054
RAP and over dairyproduc5 from cows 186.491 2 30 29 2493 1
Hogs and pigs 57 20 37 1,547 2922 I
Sheep, goals. and their product 169 15 39 726 2908
Horses.ponces mules.bums.and donkeys 885 11 39 246 2024
Aquacultre 1,509 18 34 152 1,498
Other animals and other animal products 1,847 4 39 99 2875
TOP LIVESTOCK INVENTORY ITEMS (lumber) i 1
Broilers and teller meat-type chickens 4D) 4 38 (D) 2.476
Cattle and calves 95,500 3 39 159 200
Colonies of bees 413) 2 38 (D) 2800
Mink and their pelts 10) 2 5 (CO 123 a
layers 3,855 14 30 852 3.024
TOP CROP RENS(acres)
-
Forage-land used for all hay and haylage. grass silage. and greenchop 32.878 8 39 815 200
Com for sgage 16478 2 25 62 2.333 '1 7
Land in Beetles 11.379 1 38 3 2,237
Vegetables harvested all 2,765 11 37 2B8 2794
Potatoes 1.884 7 37 98 2124 aJ
Other County Highlights r
Economic Characteristics Quantity Operator Characteristics Quantity ,a
Fame by value al sates Pdndpa operators by primary occupaemr
Less than 51.080 489 Farming 071
S1.00to 52.499 183 Other 812
52500 to 54.999 138
35900 to 39,999 138 PnMpa operators by sex:
510.00 to 519.999 110 Male 1.215 _ :j,
S20.00 to 524.999 28 Female 2013
$25.00 to 539.990 89
$40.000 03 549.999 25 Average age of principal operator(years) 55.5
$ 0.000InS08.999 59
51150.00 to 3249.890 50 M operators l by race:
5250.000 to 6499.899 55 American Indian or Alaska Native 14 _ .,
500.006 or more 140 Asian B7
Black a vg Hawaiian Amedmn 3
Total tam on:duction emenses(31.090) 287.682 Nave Hawaiian or Other Pacifc Islander 2
Average per farm(3) 180,889 White 2.190
More than one race V
Net cash farm income of
operation(51.00)
Average per faun(S) 45071 An operators a of Spanish. Erogenic. or Latino Origin 73 _.
(D;Cannot be disclosed. (Z)Less than hard the unit sham. See "Census of Agriculture. oV
Volume1. GeographicArea Selector completefomtes
Urvverse is number W counties in state or U.S.nth item
'Data were°affected fora maakwm of three operators per farm "
Appendices: Page 22
Appendix I - Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan, agricultural goals & action plan
GOALS:
GOAL BA: Conserve and enhance Whatcom County's agricultural land base for the
continued production of food and fiber.
GOAL 8B: Maintain and enhance Whatcom County's agricultural products industry
as a long-term and sustainable industry.
GOAL 8C: Preserve and enhance the cultural heritage that is related to agriculture.
GOAL BD: Reduce land use conflicts between Whatcom County's agriculture and
non-agricultural landowners.
GOAL 8E: Encourage agricultural land uses to voluntarily protect and restore
habitat of threatened and endangered species through education and
incentive programs.
ACTION PLAN :
1. Direct the Advisory Committee to review the existing Comprehensive Plan and zoning
designations for Agriculture during subarea review to determine whether any
adjustments in these boundaries are warranted. The review should include parcels
within the Agriculture designation to determine if they should no longer be designated
Agriculture, and should include parcels in the Rural designation (and possibly other
designations) to determine if they should be designated Agriculture. The review should
also include areas outside the immediate Agriculture boundary as available research and
data indicate. Designation as "Agriculture Protection Overlay" may be one tool to
implement this recommendation.
2. Direct the Advisory Committee to develop a process that conserves and enhances the
Agricultural resource land base.
3. To assist staff and public in evaluating lands for possible inclusion in the Agriculture
zone, develop a system such as the LESA (Land Evaluation and Site Assessment) system
or a similar mechanism. This system will consider County-wide Planning Policies and
Growth Management Act goals for the conservation of the agricultural resource. Other
uses for such a system could include:
• Evaluating requests for agricultural land divisions pursuant to the exceptions to the
40 acre minimum parcel size in the Agriculture zone district of Title 20.
• Evaluating applications for Conditional Use Permits for non-agricultural production
uses in the Agriculture zone district of Title 20.
Appendices: Page 23
4. Establish buffers or setback requirements on non-agricultural lands when they are
adjacent to agricultural lands. As a part of this task, establish the quality and type of _. _.j
buffers or setbacks.
5. Implement strategies that reduce negative impacts by agricultural uses on natural
systems.
6. Coordinate with the members of the agricultural community when addressing issues
that affect agriculture in Whatcom County. Representative entities such as the
Whatcom Conservation District, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the
Whatcom County Agricultural Preservation Committee, the Whatcom County Farm
Bureau, the Whatcom County Dairy Federation, the Whatcom County Cooperative
Extension Service and other agriculture related organizations should be included.
7. Support educational short courses which address methods of structuring agricultural
estates to minimize inheritance taxes; give special emphasis to utilization of Land Trust r
as a mechanism by which to protect their farmlands in perpetuity for agricultural uses
a .d
by their heirs or other farmers.
8. Work with the drainage districts and the Washington State Department of Fish and j
Wildlife to resolve conflicting interests associated with fish and wildlife habitat.
9. Encourage equity in present tax assessment systems relating to agricultural land use.
.1
>:3
Appendices: Page 24
U
Appendix 1 — Rural Land Study Selection Criteria
Excerpt from the "Whatcom County Rural Land Study: A Collaborative Report Identifying Rural --
Areas of Agricultural Significance" (page 6) published in 2007 by the Agricultural Advisory
Committee and county staff.
1. Proximity to active agricultural areas:
a. Adjacent to Agriculture District
b. In or adjacent to a PDR Target Area
c. Inclusion of area provides buffer between Ag zone and more intensive uses
2. Current land use characterized by agriculture — visual analysis
3. High percentage of APO soils
4. Parcelization of the area:
a. Acreage totals by parcel size
i. Total acreage by parcel size is used to determine the percent of area
still in large (20+ acre) parcels
b. Number of parcels by given size
i. Breakdown by parcel size indicates character of land use in the area
5. Land use as identified on Assessors records (Agricultural Open Space)
6. Evaluation of forested areas for potential agricultural use.
a. Land cover (forested) intersects with critical areas to determine likelihood
that area could be developed for agricultural use.
Appendices: Page 25
Appendix K — Washington Administrative Code, Agricultural designation criteria
(For context and reference, see also RCW 36.70A.050 and 36.70A.060)
WAC 365490-050 — Agricultural resource lands.
(1) In classifying and designating agricultural resource lands, counties must approach the effort
as a county-wide or area-wide process. Counties and cities should not review resource lands
designations solely on a parcel-by-parcel process. Counties and cities must have a program for
the transfer or purchase of development rights prior to designating agricultural resource lands 33
in urban growth areas. Cities are encouraged to coordinate their agricultural resource lands
designations with their county and any adjacent jurisdictions.
z
(2) Once lands are designated, counties and cities planning under the act must adopt
development regulations that assure the conservation of agricultural resource lands.
Recommendations for those regulations are found in WAC 365-196-815.
j
(3) Lands should be considered for designation as agricultural resource lands based on three
factors: -
i
(a) The land is not already characterized by urban growth. To evaluate this factor, counties
and cities should use the criteria contained in WAC 365-196-310.
1i
(b) The land is used or capable of being used for agricultural production. This factor
evaluates whether lands are well suited to agricultural use based primarily on their physical
and geographic characteristics. Some agricultural operations are less dependent on soil
quality than others, including some livestock production operations.
(i) Lands that are currently used for agricultural production and lands that are capable of
such use must be evaluated for designation. The intent of a landowner to use land for
agriculture or to cease such use is not the controlling factor in determining if land is used
or capable of being used for agricultural production. Land enrolled in federal conservation
reserve programs is recommended for designation based on previous agricultural use,
management requirements, and potential for reuse as agricultural land.
(ii) In determining whether lands are used or capable of being used for agricultural
production, counties and cities shall use the land-capability classification system of the
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service as
defined in relevant Field Office Technical Guides. These eight classes are incorporated by
the United States Department of Agriculture into map units described in published soil
surveys, and are based on the growing capacity, productivity and soil composition of the
land.
(c) The land has long-term commercial significance for agriculture. In determining this
factor, counties and cities should consider the following nonexclusive criteria, as
applicable:
Appendices: Page 26
•
(i) The classification of prime and unique farmland soils as mapped by the Natural
Resources Conservation Service;
(ii) The availability of public facilities, including roads used in transporting agricultural
products;
(iii) Tax status, including whether lands are enrolled under the current use tax assessment
under chapter 84.34 RCW and whether the optional public benefit rating system is used
locally, and whether there is the ability to purchase or transfer land development rights;
(iv) The availability of public services;
(v) Relationship or proximity to urban growth areas and to markets and suppliers;
(vi) Predominant parcel size;
(vii) Land use settlement patterns and their compatibility with agricultural practices;
(viii) Intensity of nearby land uses;
(ix) History of land development permits issued nearby; and
(x) Land values under alternative uses.
(4) When designating agricultural resource lands, counties and cities may consider food
security issues, which may include providing local food supplies for food banks, schools and
institutions, vocational training opportunities in agricultural operations, and preserving heritage
or artisanal foods.
(5) When applying the criteria in subsection (3)(c) of this section, the process should result in
designating at least the minimum amount of agricultural resource lands needed to maintain
economic viability for the agricultural industry and to retain supporting agricultural businesses,
such as processors, farm suppliers, and equipment maintenance and repair facilities. Economic
viability in this context is that amount of designated agricultural resource land needed to
maintain the economic viability of the agricultural sector in the county over the long term.
(6) Counties and cities may further classify additional agricultural lands of local importance.
Classifying additional agricultural lands of local importance should include, in addition to
general public involvement, consultation with the board of the local conservation district and
the local committee of the farm service agency. It may also be useful to consult with any
existing local organizations marketing or using local produce, including the boards of local
farmers markets, school districts, other large institutions, such as hospitals, correctional
facilities, or existing food cooperatives.
These additional lands may include designated critical areas, such as bogs used to grow
cranberries or farmed wetlands. Where these lands are also designated critical areas, counties
and cities planning under the act must weigh the compatibility of adjacent land uses and
development with the continuing need to protect the functions and values of critical areas and
ecosystems.
Appendices: Page 27
•
WHATCOM COUNTY AGRICULTURAL
3
LAND COVER ANALYSIS
Z�SHrv��
Planning & Development Services
June 16, 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Project Approach
2.0 Project Results
2. 1 Tables and Graphs
2.2 Map Series
DISTRIBUTED TO
JUL 15 2011
ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL.
p . ,
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011.
1 . 0 Project Approach
;PURPOSE _. ._-.,._ .� . __ _., _. . M . ,_ . ,Y
_ . .
Whatcom County has a goal of retaining at least 100,000 acres of agricultural land. As
county staff members work with the agricultural community and decision makers on strategies
to ensure this agricultural land remains available for agricultural use, the need for accurate and
reliable data becomes paramount.
And yet, dependable geographic data to quantify what land is in agriculture has been
difficult to find. The National Agricultural Statistics Service releases county-level data through
USDA every five years; the most recent release of 2007 data was published in late 2009. This
USDA-NASS data includes the number of acres of farmland, and other statistical information,
but is not geographically based.
Planning and Development Services staff have developed a repeatable methodology for
measuring the quantity and type of agricultural land in and around areas of the county with a
potential for long-term commercial agriculture use.
r '" a g O .9 x/""" ..,,,. n '4�t-t t *.r_ 2, PG�e in 4474771777P, a }.. 'U r 9P3 +eft' 4 a "zZ,
DATA AND IVIETHODO OGY
_ a.r.�,e... ��-s ..h..c.:-wr;,u :.��,.c.�.�.�.r;:5.e.,..,. ss...,.*.n „.,"';..E. u . ,.... a:sP �.-....... . .:..qi3. �w _S.a:=... ,...-,.,...,rc41; ,,-...
The data used for this land cover analysis came from a variety of sources, accessed over
time from July 2010 through June 2011. The bulk of the aerial inventory work was done during
the first month of the project, and used May 2008 Pictometry aerial photos (oblique and 8-inch
resolution ortho-corrected images). Later in the project, the Spring 2010 Pictometry aerial
photos became available (same resolution) and were substituted for the earlier 2008 data.
The inventory was checked for consistency with August 2010 National Agriculture Imagery
Program aerial photogaphs, which offer a lower 1-meter resolution.
The extent of the analysis was restricted to areas zoned Rural and Agricultural. Areas that
may be in agriculture outside of these zones are not included in the mapping and analysis.
Additional data layers were overlayed on the aerial images to determine land cover
characteristics, conveyed in the following categories (defined in the next section):
▪ Farmland, active
• Farmland, fallow
® Farmland infrastructure
• Farmstead single family residence
Ei Woodland/forest
® Water/stream/lake/wetland
▪ Commercial/public/educational
Page 2
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
• Multi-family/mobile home parks
o Single family residence -- _
o Quarry
o Vacant
Public roads are not included. Private roads are generally included as part of the residences
or farm infrastructure. Pervious farm field roads are included in the surrounding farmland .
category.
Land use data comes from the county Assessor's taxation records associated with a
parcel's "land use code" and "building value" information. This land use information helped
verify aerial categorization such as farmland infrastructure, residential uses, and commercial or
public uses. In addition, county critical areas data and zoning categories are used. The analysis
was updated in June 2011 to reflect rezoning as a result of Council Ordinance 2011-013 which
affected about 16,000 acres of land across the county; roughly 5,000 acres of which were in
rural and agricultural designations.
Land analyzed includes all lands eligible for inclusion in the county Agricultural Purchase of
Development Rights (PDR) Program. Eligibility for the PDR program is determined by Whatcom
County Code 3.25A, and lists zoning categories: Agriculture, Rural 5 acre and Rural 10 acre
designated areas.
Under Washington State's Open Space Taxation Act, Whatcom County offers an "Open-
Space Farm and Agriculture" voluntary program that offers modest tax relief for property
owners with agricultural land that meets certain criteria. This information is geographically-
based, and information is available back to 1988. However, not all lands in agriculture are ' 1
enrolled in the program, and the accounting might not accurately reflect productive agricultural - '
land or keep up with the loss of that land from agricultural production in Whatcom County.
DEFI,N, ,ia.: .aaf ,"x.vbavw :....aa;srv..,a sst�:ati.+...k..ualcf.':.ra wlis Axw,FYxxe. .-aa ' .s' mue . r_a. xcustl= ..x...lgaN.�. . _..
The inventory of land cover does not necessarily equate to use. Even with the high =' J
resolution aerial data and the Assessor's use code data, it is impossible to have certainty that
the land cover reflects a certain use. For example, what is inventoried as farm infrastructure
might also include a building that is used as a single family home, or even one that is used for
non-farm related commerce. What is included here represents an analysis of land cover, with
categories assigned based on available data and reasonable assumptions.
The categories used throughout the analysis are defined as follows:
Farmland, active — consists of land covered in berries, crops, hay, pasture, nursery stock, and
the like. Any land that appears to be actively maintained through mowing, plowing, tillage, or
other means of maintenance is included.
Farmland, fallow — consists of land covered with low overgrowth and appearing to be
unmaintained, usually in close proximity to active farmland . These areas do not appear to be
currently used for farming, but do appear to be easily convertible to active farmland.
Page 3
{
:_B
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
Farmland infrastructure - consists of any structure, manure pond, staging or storage area
appearing to be associated with farming activity, and usually in close proximity to active
farmland. Farmland infrastructure may also include commercial activity directly associated with
the farmland.
Farmstead single family residence - consists of any residence associated with farmland or
farmland infrastructure. In some cases the residence is clearly separated from the farm's
infrastructure and easy to delineate; in other cases the exact location of the residence is less
clear and the location is estimated.
Woodland/forest - consists of any treed area (USDA-NRCS Conservation Reserve Enhancement
Program enrolled areas are included in this category).
Water/stream/lake/wetland - consists of any visible water bodies, including major ditches.
Immediately adjacent vegetated areas are also included.
Commercial/public/educational - consists of any public, utility, educational, or non-farm
commercial use. This category includes schools, businesses, sub-stations, water storage,
cemeteries, and the like; but does not include farm-related commercial activity. The raw GIS
data codes commercial separate from public and utility uses, but these subcategories are
combined in this report.
Multi-family/mobile home parks - consists of parcels coded as duplex, tri-plex or greater, and
established mobile home parks.
Single family residence - consists of any residence not tied to an agricultural use, based on
either a non-agricultural land use code or different ownership than adjacent agricultural land. If
a residence is in the trees and boundaries are not easily seen, an area of approximately one
acre is delineated for the homesite.
Quarry - consists of sand and gravel quarries and associated infrastructure.
Vacant - consists of any land that is cleared but unused, has derelict buildings, storage of cars
or the like, or has no clear land use or cover.
The reader is cautioned against using blanket statements that convey specific use
assumptions as facts. The analysis contained here is a gross analysis of a broad area, and is
intended to provide a reasonable baseline. Over time, it is hoped that additional data can be
overlayed to provide information on priority farmland protection strategies, and that changes
in land cover can be analyzed as well.
Page 4
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
:.
:
2. 0 Project Results
2.1 Tables and Graphs
The following subsections use the categories defined in the previous chapter to
characterize the land cover by area. The 'Quarry' and 'Vacant' categories are combined for ease
of depicting the data. The broader category of 'Farms' is included here to incorporate the sum
of the 'Farmland, active', 'Farmland, fallow', 'Farmland Infrastructure', and 'Farmstead Single
Family Residence' categories; which are then detailed in subsequent charts or adjacent graphs.
■
The areas analyzed are the zoning designations where the PDR program applies, including
the specific Rural Study Areas within the R5A and R10A zones that were designated as part of
the Rural Land Study published in 2007 by the Agricultural Advisory Committee. Within this .
broad area, an overlay zone — the Agricultural Protection Overlay - was analyzed separately for
how the land cover was affected by APO land division actions. Here are the areas analyzed :
Agriculture zone — consists of the land designated as Agriculture in accordance with
Whatcom County Code 20.40, and the corresponding zoning map.
Rural Study Areas (RSAs) — consist of nine separate contiguous blocks of land within the
R10A or RSA zoning designations with significant agricultural value.
Rural 10 Acre (R10A) — consists of land designated as Rural with a 10 acre minimum lot size
in accordance with Whatcom County Code 20.36, and the corresponding zoning map.
Rural 5 Acre (R5A) — consists of land designated as Rural with a 5 acre minimum lot size in
accordance with Whatcom County Code 20.36, and the corresponding zoning map.
Agriculture Protection Overlay (APO) reserve tracts — consists of land developed through
the APO ordinance in accordance with Whatcom County Code 20.38, and specifically the 5
reserve tract portion of the development set aside for agricultural use. .
!i
. .. ... .. a ...F. m .w . .... i4 ) . ..n ......... . ....... . .� .. u... . w. „ .u,wn ..v . .. NV. 0 L..v.. .. . .. e. .. v ... ... _n _.j
• j
r-9
Page 5
fil
•
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
A'' '' CULTURE ZONE LAND COVER ANALYSIS '; `' s7
....,..u._......... __�4.._ � .„ .„ ., ,:,: r, ,,.v. .,.,..,.._ .� ._. .,._...A „w.„,,,,,,,..., .,.�w.�
TOTAL AG-
WATER COMMERCIAL MULTI- SINGLE FAM QUARRY
FOREST COURSE /PUBLIC FAMILY RESIDENCES /VACANT FARMS zone GIS
Land Cover
Totals 10,450 2,524 330 23 '' 899 661` 69,178 ' 84,065
(acres)
Tablet. Agriculture Zone: All Land Cover Acreage
ACTIVE FALLOW FARMLAND FARMSTEAD
FARMS - Detail FARMLAND FARMLAND INFRASTRUCTURE RESIDENCE
Land Cover Totals 62,871 2,089 2,889 1;329
(acres)
Table 2. Agriculture Zone: Farm Land Cover Acreage
Single Fam
:-
. N> T -
.Residence
1% f'v" � s" i ,,c � am/acant/ qd %`i V, '%� s7 .,s ▪ 4 ▪ r yMulti- • uarry cati z4s z t 4< �.4u c .• s a 3 "
•
▪ e Tamil y 1% 3 ,
� c e ,, i e( , y
&�
r 0% 4t-
•
r., , ? - ett`'.9 z' s t ▪ x y._ az�-` P ; .,Commercial �� y s ,
3 i( ` ` 'v y q .lPublic ' ° S v t �; % ; �0 "� S" 'wurx � Farrn• S',0%
83%
Water
3%
+n32 '� S Si? fait
5^ . .tti
�' r N
•
'
Figure 1. Agriculture Zone: Characterization by Percentage Land Cover
Page 6
•
wi
pra
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
•
RiuRAL STUD` AREAS LAND COVER ANALYSIS ' ` , y `
The Rural Study Areas (RSAs) delineated by the Agricultural Advisory Committee in the
2007 Rural Lands Study consist of nine areas with significant agricultural value within the R10A ?;
or RSA zoning designations, totaling 21,950 acres. The location of the areas within the county is
shown on the map below.
b --,
lor VII
,r � i palm-1;c ltr . :.'
, y _ Ji" `Fi fir! -LIrli t-V .. `i ?i �.,
�!K &�s';sn -C I w ` in. �� V . )- '' r' ` �
calla-C k :' its .� Ft _ , x t i, 1\
22211222S144.01,r‘kkjt* 6.t4ic 1)' 77'+1' ...� u ' = AF�t 4 \ \ 9 1`1� � .1
h R/ t �1 Wi/nwrten�/ + 1
moor-Ortad 7. -1 $ 1 A.`vitc.sysrettzrers Ask'
S L 1 iii 5
� .� _ r . , -X7--1-1'1.4 1, a , {4 -
V
q% Rural Study Areas
_
d -Study Area Locations _
0 1 4 s 8 .J
Rural Study Areas by percentage of total acreage
xka ;
Cas.°:ow 29?•a- _ ..
Minaker, 1% t:,
1
4
•
Lawrence, 2% y
Figure 2.
Page 7
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
Rural Study Areas by size and zoning
(acres) _.
TEN MILE I 3.133 I
SOUTH FORK 1 323 439
MINAKER 28 . `
LOOMIS TRAIL . 3,607 .
❑ R10A
LAWRENCE 503 ■ RSA
HARKSELL 3,323
amw .. _
GUIDEALDRICH • ... .._ _.. 1,992
EAST BADGER _ _ . 2.9'9, ..
CUSTER _ / 2.707
Figure 3.
The tables and graphs in this section depict the overall characterization for all of the Rural Study
Areas together, followed by depictions separately for each individual study area listed by name:
Custer, East Badger, Guide Aldrich, Harksell, Lawrence, Loomis Trail, Minaker, South Fork, and
Ten Mile. Overall, about 12,086 acres (55%) carry R10A zoning, and 9,864 acres (45%) carry RSA
zoning.
ALL RSAs WATER COMMERCIAL MULTI- SINGLE FAM QUARRY TOTAL GIS
FOREST COURSE /PUBLIC FAMILY RESIDENCES /VACANT FARMS Acres
Land Cover
Totals 6,067 601 181 32 . : :1,434 470 13,165 21,950
(acres)
Table 3. All RSAs: All Land Cover Acreage
ACTIVE FALLOW FARMLAND FARMSTEAD
FARMS - Detail FARMLAND FARMLAND INFRASTRUCTURE RESIDENCE
Land Cover Totals 11,408 448 619 : 690
(acres)
Table 4. All RSAs: Farm Land Cover Acreage
Page 8
•
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
Single Fam Residence =^3
i
__
co, Vacant/ Quarry
Multi-family 2% .-
0% ,, „� � + :' �� ;�
S '' M '' pt.. c$ 9
Commercial/ st' m , *
Public �'g' t,rre � 4^ , ,_.�
3 x.S 37 a o'Y'`+�, Y �'g3K ' a �y„s= ,
Water \ '
3"�
SC`tts. �'xtx �Ir 5 cr' i, >'"'x�*
iij"�?n -4ra3 =.o%�s 'Lt " 9 bfl j
a '. � 4 ? E
to-
Figure 4. All Rural Study Areas: Characterization by Percentage Land Cover
i,3
■
1
o.
■
— >
Page9
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
CUSTER RURAL STUDY AREA - -
The Custer RSA is comprised entirely of Rural 10 Acre zoning, and consists of about 12% of __
the total acreage of all nine Rural Study Areas.
WATER COMMERCIAL MULTI- SINGLE FAM QUARRY TOTAL GIS
FOREST COURSE /PUBLIC FAMILY RESIDENCES /VACANT FARMS Acres
Land Cover
Totals 769 87 4 0 55 =.10 1,782 2,707
(acres)
Table 5. Custer RSA: All Land Cover Acreage
ACTIVE FALLOW FARMLAND FARMSTEAD
FARMS -. Detail FARMLAND FARMLAND INFRASTRUCTURE RESIDENCE
Land Cover Totals 1,579 89 56 58
(acres)
Table 6. Custer RSA: Farm Land Cover Acreage
Single Fam Residence Vacant/ Quarry
2% 1%
Commercial/ Public
-t /bc ` `c
,y„• , tf v 'Ts
?'tiG• ` ab> yr,4
Water \ > <,/, � `) t . ,0'1.
l� ut q°' 5
3/0 • 1 7f� rt1ibx v,4x.
�� . 4 1=./iii a
VA?-{, �i y y a 5 „�.0 f4?
1 ms'sh?. r6 efm
'Art
SIJ.5e,--, e,-.., ,,,L. ..,! *
-
l
}
X - ‘ vr
y i / )� '> " ,
h v � P
J s /P ,,
,• . v "' .-
Figure 5. Custer Rural Study Area: Characterization by Percentage Land Cover
Page 10
•
;.
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
EAST BADGER RURAL STUDY AREA
The East Badger RSA is comprised entirely of Rural 10 Acre zoning, and consists of about
10% of the total acreage of all nine Rural Study Areas.
WATER COMMERCIAL MULTI- SINGLE FAM QUARRY TOTAL GIS
FOREST COURSE /PUBLIC FAMILY RESIDENCES /VACANT FARMS Acres -
Land Cover
Totals 547 f 63 6 0 `.. 36 215 1,224 2,090
(acres)
,
Table 7. East Badger RSA: All Land Cover Acreage
ACTIVE FALLOW FARMLAND FARMSTEAD �_.�
FARMS - Detail FARMLAND FARMLAND INFRASTRUCTURE RESIDENCE "
Land Cover Totals '` " I � �
(acres) ,061 71 46 46
Table 8. East Badger RSA: Farm Land Cover Acreage
1
i
r1
I
i
Single Fam Residence - !
a
2/o , T
Commercial/ ,, or rXA ,
Public ' " -;-- ts. v,�. -�-r `')` .3- wA
5Y t Hb Y v . 1
Water �' s�' ',��` a
z ;n-4"' S «'
N%-.. fs 301 > ro t..
4 k X14
w 'A` i i`T .ac. i'U gym ' ; t Cox zi,� ' "in t-P;415 ssC# ..,.C4 w .er` I
µms✓
Figure 6. East Badger Rural Study Area: Characterization by Percentage Land Cover
ar
Page 11
,i1;S
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
GUIDE ALDRICH RURAL STUDY AREA
The Guide Aldrich RSA is comprised of 56% (2,547 acres) Rural 10 Acre zoning, and 44% __
(1,992 acres) Rural 5 Acre zoning. It holds about 21% of the total acreage as the largest of the
nine Rural Study Areas.
WATER COMMERCIAL MULTI- SINGLE FAM QUARRY TOTAL GIS
FOREST COURSE /PUBLIC FAMILY RESIDENCES /VACANT FARMS Acres
Land Cover
Totals 711 84 56 13 347 67 3,261 4,539
(acres)
Table 9. Guide Aldrich RSA: All Land Cover Acreage
ACTIVE FALLOW FARMLAND FARMSTEAD
FARMS - Detail FARMLAND FARMLAND INFRASTRUCTURE RESIDENCE
Land Cover Totals j
2,827 66 155 213
(acres)
Table 10. Guide Aldrich RSA: Farm Land Cover Acreage
Single Fam
Residence
8% Vacant/
.
Quarry oi%,:" . �:
2% `mss , s� .,,
Multi-family ° 4 ,` ^ =w
N h 0.
,, z
'S aY tLt 'Y.
s Comm/ Pu . - "- u
r146
Water 4..-r* ;t `
a
t } . ��
?el ^i^ a rrA
c
' y ? .H rej y/i
v.y
Figure 7. Guide Aldrich Rural Study Area: Characterization by Percentage Land Cover
Page 12
-NI
. ,
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
HARKSELL RURAL STUDY AREA - , .a.
The Harksell RSA is comprised entirely of Rural 5 Acre zoning. It holds about 15% of the -- i,
total acreage of all nine Rural Study Areas.
WATER COMMERCIAL MULTI- SINGLE FAM QUARRY TOTAL GIS
FOREST COURSE JPUBLIC FAMILY RESIDENCES /VACANT FARMS Acres ,,,,l
Land Cover
Totals 840 48 21 11 395 40 1,967 3,323 " )
(acres)
Table 11. Harksell RSA: AR Land Cover Acreage
-..0
ACTIVE FALLOW FARMLAND FARMSTEAD
FARMS - Detail FARMLAND FARMLAND INFRASTRUCTURE RESIDENCE ")
i
Land Cover Totals 1,645 78 125 119 : i
(acres)
- I
Table 12. Harksell RSA: Farm Land Cover Acreage 'I
' i
Multi- Vacant/ Quarry
family 1%
0% rAk„
Sy e , xis.'.r,
,
-
Commercial/ 9,0 l r, n a ,"� . ; ;
� a , ` aR
Public �7 i l ` y y oA,4" -�
Water v ' s▪ - n%P
r
f, t C}} vyer
" ka ,' 60%.
JI
•
} ,f,&� t . . ^s
M9 ¥ >
r.
P� IY ! kr? 6.
"V( i aw w i.,A
r t " q
V,'45�,IF �' ar.�c nii 2.� r� • .
Figure 8. Harksell Rural Study Area: Characterization by Percentage Land Cover
za'
Page 13
1
•
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
LAWRENCE RURAL STUDY AREA
The Lawrence RSA is comprised entirely of Rural 5 Acre zoning. It holds only 2% of the total
acreage of all nine Rural Study Areas, at just 503 acres.
WATER COMMERCIAL MULTI- SINGLE FAM QUARRY TOTAL GIS
FOREST COURSE /PUBLIC FAMILY RESIDENCES /VACANT FARMS Acres
Land Cover
Totals 110 10 16 0 23 : 3 342 503
(acres)
Table 13. Lawrence RSA: All Land Cover Acreage
ACTIVE FALLOW FARMLAND FARMSTEAD
FARMS - Detail FARMLAND FARMLAND INFRASTRUCTURE RESIDENCE
Land Cover Totals 307 4 13 17 '
(acres)
Table 14. Lawrence RSA: Farm Land Cover Acreage
Vacant/ Quarry
Single Fam Residence 1%
4% `
Commercial/ ",„"
Public a "` �
te _ &3% 11 �*- tY z �
64,6 444412a 56. �';
ra th
Js" ti' �r
" �/ e i T War " h . � >: • Y
2I ' P xz
t.
` � i z r .
:7‹ r� - a a? j' �Pa q1<
'3< Y 33y
-" ^e r atife43"
g
Figure 9. Lawrence Rural Study Area: Characterization by Percentage Land Cover
Page 14
yl
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
a
LOOMIS TRAIL RURAL STUDY AREA
r- 'I
The Loomis Trail RSA is comprised entirely of Rural 5 Acre zoning. It is the second largest e
RSA, holding about 16% of the total acreage of all nine Rural Study Areas.
WATER COMMERCIAL MULTI- SINGLE FAM QUARRY TOTAL GI5 -
FOREST COURSE /PUBLIC FAMILY RESIDENCES /VACANT FARMS Acres
Land Cover
Totals 1,437 94 10 5 299. 16 1,746 <: 3,607 -
(acres)
Table 15. Loomis Trail RSA: All Land Cover Acreage ':, ,
.
ACTIVE FALLOW FARMLAND FARMSTEAD
FARMS - Detail FARMLAND FARMLAND INFRASTRUCTURE RESIDENCE - '11,
Land Cover Totals 1,495 68 ' 79 104
(acres) I l
Table 16. Loomis Trail RSA: Farm Land Cover Acreage
J
i
Commercial/ Single Fam Residence . .j
Public 8%
0% Multi-family Vacant/ Quarry
0% 1%
Water 5
„ ,f
3%
i
t �z k ?Pe 3`� ,age.*,'
)agX1 5 'n yJ J Q.A 7 1
24, �Y' } �3 J attget
\ t '•- f, .
a-
- .
at 'h
k7r
M— M% t"
A.a r
§
zs
f nv '2r1� ' '$
,%5 -.; g ,tiT v, " 5j5 .
0h�i'. y 3Y
F % .,
Figure 10. Loomis Trail Rural Study Area: Characterization by Percentage Land Cover
Page 15
_a'
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
MINAKER RURAL STUDY AREA -The Minaker RSA is comprised entirely of Rural 10 Acre zoning. It is the smallest RSA, __
holding about 1% of the total acreage of all nine Rural Study Areas.
WATER COMMERCIAL MULTI- SINGLE FAM QUARRY TOTAL GIS
FOREST COURSE /PUBLIC FAMILY RESIDENCES /VACANT FARMS Acres
Land Cover
Totals 23 14 2 0 - 4. "0 244 286
(acres)
Table 17. Minaker RSA: All Land Cover Acreage
ACTIVE FALLOW FARMLAND FARMSTEAD
FARMS - Detail FARMLAND FARMLAND INFRASTRUCTURE RESIDENCE
Land Cover Totals 214 0 14 16 . I
(acres)
Table 18. Minaker RSA: Farm Land Cover Acreage
Single Fam Residence
1%
Vacant/ y 'ry , S12 ,
0
isahragyfftlirb:8 4%1'.24 itt4f0S4\
ComPmubelirc c
1 sa
*+z tZ 4
1% > T\ { Yi Jtk� JR
7�ng39 '� " Y" r
�`"' g3 Far;U!S ''.
t sn ,,,J 1 e ' � e m∎b
.p t,"16° ry ,� orb
WIPP-
Welf £ .A .' a `T1a' -
d
iflifinven.1 I'M, k� yA S`� ✓`i 1 ( Ye l A"
Figure 11. Minaker Rural Study Area: Characterization by Percentage Land Cover
Page 16
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011 3
I
SOUTH FORK RURAL STUDY AREA "5
The South Fork RSA is comprised of 1,323 acres in Rural 10 Acre zoning, and 439 acres in --
RSA zoning. It holds about 8% of the total acreage of all nine Rural Study Areas.
5
_3
WATER COMMERCIAL MULTI- SINGLE FAM QUARRY TOTAL GIS
FOREST COURSE /PUBLIC FAMILY RESIDENCES /VACANT FARMS Acres
,1
Land Cover
Totals 950 71 11 0 - 118 54 558 1,762 __A
(acres)
Table 19. South Fork RSA: All Land Cover Acreage
ACTIVE FALLOW FARMLAND FARMSTEAD
FARMS - Detail FARMLAND FARMLAND INFRASTRUCTURE RESIDENCE "
Land Cover Totals 1 ^''
(acres) 453 18 42 :45
Table 20. South Fork RSA: Farm Land Cover Acreage
3 .
o
i
Commercial/ Public Single Fam
10/0 Residence -
Water
4% 7%
Vacant/ Quarry
rS
3%
. .. .
'"J."I, ),
'I e.em 0x� � 9 n I
1
Figure 12. South Fork Rural Study Area: Characterization by Percentage Land Cover
-
Page 17
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
TEN MILE RURAL STUDY AREA
The Ten Mile RSA is comprised entirely of Rural 10 Acre zoning. It holds about 14% of the
total acreage of all nine Rural Study.Areas.
WATER COMMERCIAL MULTI- SINGLE FAM QUARRY TOTAL GIS
FOREST COURSE /PUBLIC FAMILY RESIDENCES /VACANT FARMS Acres
Land Cover
Totals ( 680 131 55 2 " 157 65 2,044 . 3,133
(acres)
Table 21. Ten Mile RSA: All Land Cover Acreage
ACTIVE FALLOW FARMLAND FARMSTEAD
FARMS - Detail FARMLAND FARMLAND INFRASTRUCTURE RESIDENCE
Land Cover Totals 1;829 54 89 72
(acres)
Table 22. Ten Mile RSA: Farm Land Cover Acreage
Single Fam
Residence
5%
Multi-family Vacant/ Quarry
0%... 2%
a ,
Commercial/ ,; �°
4 �M'' ;u
Public 4 i s xn f'^
2% ` ,
Water a€. rge o , ..
4/0
61% ',
1 fx
i7E x � t
ti r. 3y $i �
4p .c ii r
a
a4 .bt y�Sm`5`m . Q
E.'Y i J `
Figure 13. Ten Mile Rural Study Area: Characterization by Percentage Land Cover
Page 18
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
_ii
RURAL 1UACRE LANDCOUERANALYS(S '11;1?/'°C'°C\T ; -' i ' rtR
N.
__J
The Rural 10 Acre zoned areas of the county that do not lie inside a Rural Study Area are
characterized here. This analysis is based on 79% completion of the characterization in all R10A
B
areas. --
WATER COMMERCIAL MULTI- SINGLE FAM QUARRY TOTAL GIS ''. e
FOREST COURSE /PUBLIC FAMILY RESIDENCES /VACANT FARMS Acres
Land Cover
Totals 6,053 ' 155 450 4 615 340 2,718 10,335
(acres) .. _
Table 23. R10A Zone: All Land Cover Acreage
ACTIVE FALLOW FARMLAND FARMSTEAD ?- -
FARMS - Detail FARMLAND FARMLAND INFRASTRUCTURE RESIDENCE
Land Cover Totals ` 1
(acres) 2,273 201 r 109 135 i
Table 24. R10A Zone: Farm Land Cover Acreage
Commercial/ Public Single Fam Residence
4% 6%
Water Multi-family
2% 0% Vacant/ Quarry
I 3%
AA
S4A
45,4s.ea: U 2A-AA
� s�
I ,
xi
�M1
k tom` `a"R "'� %' _
:
\ft 'y ;r
G2/
E A • 1 I
: I
Figure 14. Rural 10 Acre areas outside RSAs: Characterization by Percentage Land Cover -1
-'d
-.J
Page 19
j
•
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
RURAL 5 ACRE LAND COVER ANALYSIS
The Rural 5 Acre zoned areas of the county that do not lie inside a Rural Study Area are
characterized here. This analysis is based on 59% completion of the characterization in all R5A
areas.
WATER COMMERCIAL MULTI- SINGLE MM QUARRY TOTAL GIS
FOREST COURSE /PUBLIC FAMILY RESIDENCES /VACANT FARMS Acres
Land Cover
Totals 19,275 873 550 11 2,667 1,190 13,201 15,249
(acres)
Table 25. RSA Zone: All Land Cover Acreage
ACTIVE FALLOW FARMLAND FARMSTEAD
FARMS - Detail FARMLAND FARMLAND INFRASTRUCTURE RESIDENCE
Land Cover Totals 13;201 684 > 572 , 793
(acres) ( I
Table 26. RSA Zone: Farm Land Cover Acreage
Commercial/ Public Multi- Single Fam
170 family Residence
Water 0% 7% Vacant/ Quarry
2% 3%
h
}
1,
...
f h{
(2?,:iSI`1&‘;),- xl .^ 4 k-
y f t `arms) `� 39Y0 ot� :/ ; , E ,
F infr s dadr°e 2%aL
Figure 15. Rural 5 Acre areas outside RSAs: Characterization by Percentage Land Cover
Page 20
FsA
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
2.2 Map Series
The following maps depict the land cover characterization by the categories defined in the
first chapter, as shown in the legend. This legend is repeated later on its own page for ease of
use. While the tables and figures in the previous chapter grouped some of the land use
categories, the maps retain them as separate
categories.
It is important to note that these maps depict
the land cover characterization at a point in time. Legend
Some analysis is not complete due to the : Rural Study Areas
differentiation of the land cover in those areas, or Land Use = '
the relative lower priority of those areas for Ingle Family Residential
commercial agriculture protection. Where zoning Farmstead sFR
designations are depicted, the land cover analysis Mule Family SFR/Mobile Home.Park
.
has not been done. The urban and more intensely Farmstead Infrastructure
CommerciaVPublicEdup60n
developed small town areas of the county are not
Farmland,Active
intended to be analyzed, as they are not high Farmland;Fallow
priority areas for the protection of long term - WoodlandiForest
commercial agricultural operations. , Qum, ..
The first map shows the entire county.' In -'vacant
order to better see the characterization, the next - water/StreamMledand&Lake
maps depict larger scale subareas of the county, by Zoning Designation
number, as labeled on the key. _agriculture
OM The Rural Study Areas are outlined in orange aural f1Q)
on the maps. Refer to the map on page 7 to see the on (5)
location of the RSAs by name in relation to one
another.
A full size map is available on the County's Planning and Development Services web site
here: http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/pds/planning/gis/index.jsp.
r : . tt,S3<" { . .. .., . ... ,•%_, PZ Y _`. ,31$ ZVee i? a.R 7 ., ,.
I
1 For purposes of this report, the 'entire county' consists only of the western portion of the county governed
locally, not the eastern mountainous portion that is federally owned and managed.
Page 21
ti
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
COUNTY MAR OVERALL LAND CHARACTERIZATION
� } a . V A c 17 ' T+' i .'43.- fitF-- r 4•Jz
4 w i. � ta .t\K� a r ‘,_,-(44r4.,,. 4.?„ k ,.,,1 1._ n�"v n r'11'1.4'9 W3617".'' 's uS ` . ` R' : I3 - I
r,'' r- .4 6I t. arm iq a.*T¢ +' c„` , i ° wi t. fit 1 war '-i '� 1,dp
-rc.. . ,�e"gcaaa •t z :4 ••- s mm ts.-r'.
I „:a, n , ,, `WJ .d,, r M `1k ape `
a
.
SS e s a zi �` Ciz-r C „,,,,,,_,10,,, ,,
t
X2 �C� Nd a ./^W R 6
I fi,'S ? • �^ ,v, Y i24":441( a C r Lh s I^ a
a - �,,�,
s J I i s S yy a G� -G.- . S *z” p . e S"i 'i i a�d.� �1
°xx E. - t �, . e4 k'
i `_`4s:•'-t .- .: .r , sit kt _ 4:1,,,L.0+
3 f H � n���v{ 1 i1i12�i l� 1 ,Y„
':� • v .r � `29 Fg ,ya7 x�r p Rro�"f (, -'C"`q,--- r .:-.722,----...�§'
5'i { s.' ..! \ 1 7 y i s Jr. 'i ✓ r�
} i '
_ I` � � s K3 =- 7 x r r T a
''y 2' rpii 4 "t,z y - � } ,cova E k ite , � 1. 't; - • :• t r .-i p Y. r
:AtalicaleereliStA,41.; -; lir: I a we. S . $ • i t c .. ' &f + . xyss j v '
•.? L i# f I l II i 1a -. 4 a ,. I .
4.4012040We‘aw'ire ii, I 4 C 1 --
rye { 5 as , f--";.. /II I .•. '"-- 11.W,5 f }L% i s tA� t f - 1•r` rtirz @ 1, '4 Y` [{gq cso / r$
�kM1'sJjze b�+ S s""^ c �x as t; ?..„..a.,-; W §- d yl
� G•
,R .. , ,. rz4,'y..„.., �MIF 1 e" t { ; '{..n.-.....t.........., # I : .. d.-r:t
�' Vj s Y
�4J nr rlYo ., x 32 .,.a'I ...n m. s-, ..n- _. r- , -, m ,-. --E� Z..,.a- - c4SYK�3n -,,ca-.4.3inu
WM
a WHATC�lOnM.CaOUNTY • � Family Residence Farmland, Fallow ” ��' _
ell .� . June 13 2011 .� Farmstead Single Family Residence - Woodland. Forest. �� ^M ~Y gag MWNFamily,Trailer Park Quern/ �erwu.
14 =. : Land Cover Classiflcaltons °°
%wird Farmland infrastructure m4 Water/Stream/Lake/Welland =Y' .....=�'^'^�
In..Agricultural and � Cmmmercla4PUelierEduoedenal want =w ?'
Rural Areas Fannl.ndrna4e. . RUralzonklg .
•
Page 22
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
tC QUMYMAR KEYJOSUBEECOENTAREAMAPS ETaxs d' 31p `)
.a.� s . .. , ., d a W „,2. .. �. . „„>,.:. , . , a xpu
..„ e_,.
@e' kt `7' r a .. via ¢ Y£ r e ?% t c& ,die, a i ' 1.1 „Y
�t � !' �n S' �G xg�� i'4.5. k %.": :'-: >3' y L 4 � „y“ � J (pe4 °' yr*' P eti t%%44- '. �_ A
� tiet r��v. ham' Y' 1 a ..e a aa w i 5 '
4441 �4j x x � 4 .°3°...� fY� �� � i. 5. _- _� I�,i E 7 Pi..N .. y, , ..
T ' ` Y� f ?.y� F °° may . , W' X,, r= 3 '
_ S.'"Fhv m' 2". f Y1 �. °.3" RBf ie `f`iles:e ® 4.3'41•01.1411X a � J7a. ,h�
'c. t o 4*,11 � x'97' �'re s� " er 'i r4. 9 1 t 24 -i 1 r Uhl 1,
Kribl I t (^vim b .�.1 m 'J 16, . f + ' 1 „ e j i 1 _�
d 44A E 4-1 - - tit JA; :"- 2 ��
arata 10,0,ar4401( Y4.6 4,1441"a;":14$% -,,� ?i,
tick s` Ep. a •,- � 1 4.i� .. _
P �M . . 42n14;t !1I11h v. . a6 1...0„, ��n � . L_
!!!1I t -: i .. j talkikriSE',5:5'; 4 Ft e . 1: „ s�r 14 a tr, � R , ti t � t y I �.,�.�
n-75 _ _ t .
= y, i'�jy,� , a _ it I i .fit' .y 1, 4 r ,
1 s'{ � k + ?,,-..A ins ar7 v,1..a F' ! t t d
. - ' �, `� i *.T .. `rCv i i i kvr � t i } i - t r-j-- r
.: �
.yrp�s , I° 1 ' 7 1 4�"-v.a , [ .. & ti •i • A - • ✓ f '�1 ' j T i\ ggll
,, C k ` a.. &� • Th��ot ee .• -- i1 l V 1 I . 're
t
yse,J�° ,-�4�.,. WHATCOM COUNTY - _ - --
iPT010 °} a Single FamOY Residence � FemJpM, Fallow �. f Rurd aWayNaas �, �.-.-.......�6,
-DRAFT—June 13 2010 - Fennalead 6lnBle FemuyReaiilenco Woodland, Forest ✓�
V Land Cover CIassificaitonS Malt-Family,'nailer Park OM/ --°'r____ +'
!".„.;,,.. - Farmland Inlrastrudwe watei anearaakoM'aaand. "C
in . gricukura. and gm Rommerdal/PNNWEduceuanal Vacant �t��rS .
Rural Areas FarmlenE.Aclrve RurakZonige .. .. ..
Page 23
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
AREA MAP 1 4
`v,nµ. WA&HINGT5N ------ _._.
J � � Ili .. T HStrrot RE 3m + .C.�iII .
•
j/,`"• � a INE
.aA n 4 . z 'i� y°i .
'� aay :
s axdna 1, 1 4. ; :''':• ; w9d
' ) r9 sJ
0
`� , .' ' : , �- , n
�f kS: "I
a
J
I
Medea RU. .. \ ; r a P� u '---� Lt ill
.-- .' ., e '_: A � . 4. ��
r 1
'. a ,: �y .191
ix
R6A` .4- .j...11.1
- _ e eror�e.__ f 4'4YU, 4 11 li Ir . ,, 4
sad J a V•k a L4` • �I %:;a
>n a-
_„...,...• . ; fir: �q� l a � ;
i r "s"` "+r r i 'c
R5A �a „ 1t s. r
\ , — -- 13L- :
E
N s �L; . .'RS d
aarvro•eRd. ,
m r . aq 1 it.v a.t.
N.-. __ .41...._....1—.L�.1 L_omeN Rd I i '1
, ej-- RSA `.'
k e al
Henry N v. a a
o_n�..,J))vj � R5A I _ LQ 7, r m .;
�
�`� �y t
l T. � .11 : h�IIS O �
A
__ §1+R" . "'Ain:: 'h '
c V k
649° M iAl�' i f ',it.... o - ^h.'s Ferri
P maw \\,._ L tee.
is L/."'- " �: ( . ,. peg. $ -1•,4 r
_.__ _ _. _ ._ Page 24
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis I 2011
^
AREA MAP 2
�. r : • ^%fie' , , /
o.. " tr ,TT, t , �.. -m �
,.�
+ `
tip
J,� }zl, uP l� $c.--.4 a/ I t t f ,• 9y
1
u{, i ,� e
$t4 l .
A I :
- a3 i I• rTe t . .1� t. L-.3t._ � r 4 � 1p F� cal.
1
d ave:ea sd 1 ( e` . ;n
7 I
`f'
r a°`,$;+� \ r we:. rin 1 •.:a I `` r,--- .. ,r�
-li y , \eF ,.. si �4,4'9" I .• h- 4 >° Sa ' ', " �r.,_a..1. , .,
n : v +.`++++
rS 2 � ; < 1 2z
{� T—F•r-r rY' '' � 4-; .. nea. . R � � �r • �lY.� >V J' g F 4c. 4 .0
2 333 t pJ )33-3
f-__Lr - jhr enw.,a. 1 , „_ 7 + `ry sW PI7 R
A� 3 _ 1 \ , tz vY4t' ¢ AC 111&own.. h d . � If II .
55 :.T 1
zI ill I F IY 9I 1 f-�-:Q� V : 'S- . a (- .5 _ � �.� { 7
g31 (
iI .s� ' t .I V7'
'
ICA ,f j I I � d p W `` \ p ,. .� ' a ' t0 9 ' K ' .- ,fE.w{iJ i FEfNDA ,E .<2_, ' a wb, St 6 rT� X I \ 1lUWS !t1 i Y S1rr , o
Page 25
7
u
•
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
AREA MAP 3
�• ' CANADA .� R2E I Rr3-E'� .z _.
e �/ f i :,-T• r T ana Rd u U. r
v qt _ rim l as
kii
I .1i 4 f t ...ill c5. 1, i 1 �`- r R r:
AEG.
Pa y 4 N . : zc l d
ir
inL. . t 4
-12-44 ical
- a -
•2I 1 '' fericfaCet.:2r5i
s q
• m
f } E main 6L - x
J I E LY-NDEN- ` -
>• a f - ,"n eo
�• �� ti ./a 7 *: i i /+ y Pen d1—' -7 z— , ur �
Q -
• si
m tea'
R" T 7�• _ va j G
e ', 1C'V'. ' ' ' A� '� [.;• ` .2 fx •ei
S^r I-I.,.: ° k 4 t 14, -4 -
P, • _ p� �• 1+$. Zt_ i � Afraka 3 r
R10 CttoA L L � �q b
" � s �� , + �?d!�' a •c as �� re +Xy � X1� �s r !�:
•
, k:. r41t r•
�. a � .LL r. w �1
1 g{
a rl a_ I : ® I` Tom. . ` a, w• ! L 'J•
Y
liar limo wsn ,1- (RSA Es r w 4 •
-_. Page 26
r' mat 'm a_m _T
l<, rct 1.7 ":a r d L.
t ti <I
74777 '3 a ifi ;+% w k-46'110 m 1 'p' xx X : n, �' ^'/ a 4. z ww� yy 1� I 1 3 t ? ^ SS -t � et •O � t lot
. , i'[ � a k f 6 '� vF X ve s . r , 1.0 �a1 I a . 't.
To
Q
o
L
t ) 1 4 ..v a� +/moo 'duo el • _ �,,. L
v 1
To
w I 1 "ta,fJ I t eoce �A r`
•
(t I
4,5� F��' 1 �Y lfJ iS _ i fI rk' 6.1 ' ni
gyp• t v
co r Q !. � t4, si 1 • rA,. VVl
44 >w
hI.
Y
■
Nu • I : �-k..�. A - ���y. L �F' V. '>
Oa Wrl �� d h alel4l . � d > el seri . . a 4 7117 it
Q --1 --zia- r . " Ig .a . J �' � �tfl � t
a
e
a
4
1 SP4 Yt 4` L�.X}3SE.v� f' iB a4, M
ri
r
M1"'` G
4-4
ul
w
co ul
> new" �Q \ a ¢ .yr, .
N 1."..
`—sue ' � A - isi km `\ rl ...Q .� ., {
o f o e .� ,� �� a i : k s
C '�1 \
-o o .,/f ] - .tlsa
J
A
� �Y '% 'S‘? f o s 2 r (4 J t
I.
r - N y 1 4ti
I S.M. 'V R ( l _
1� ,l.v 'at - • / , \ Ll
U I % 0. 4� � \ . .- _ '\ ..._� '�.., \ N•�� �y y Ql 1�y ° . � S + �`� , m g.o z x �,�1R ; •, ice
;%<A ;mod ` p i
Ca 0,,4446 4,
4,1R I dy� a 1 S 1
\ 1111 I� .. . A Ilk
■Ohl 1 • \e 11
s
y
l3 f'' f ' N fRUyf ;-�s K,y k K-..Y 1t�S Pa 4eo -,) . 1 i t``�....�,
Xi,‘. ;s cnm \V\
a
Q !. ` Ny �, i a r ,_ I -
rr
s LL . el J�' • .� k. ! -a � � - '-:I ve . �is ��}' t`.
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis '', 2011
AREA MAP 6 ;
:.� f
Ho Rd. w /N 1,.. / gy sI I
.,_...RSA I �m lit �— e .�•ti` yyKy ‘�7 ;rm yk a ; .� rin se tr k
\ le r Ma 71d N �t 'd t 1 le.% ti / M �' °'\ :� I
¢ v Y . a
lq . SFl .'] �1 r' v i '' 'I
F� �' • P11:- °0 3`
IMkk Rd. 4 ,L t , : 1. .. .:�
Tw" �' '�� TA ,a....„,',..,:4
,J 'r r K 1 IRSA V it'
Y i.. . )e ,°V dwThR Ate` �� / - . cc.; s s=�
f r 5 .
�I I. f —' ( RSA,4 i L. J
sm�p ' 1 vm r l„ '
Seclude Beach If a I s a rdw f:FIX
4
g
> t s
\ r
, . '° emu' ' RI' U ABv S > r / r;. A 7 b
� . A - ye^'! : m r.I ` I ' ii v . .
� ... RSA ` v 1 sRSrt
r
wale.. g Sc . y Wit� r
u ;j.t7 .
RgsAa ., v''k■ -t4i
R RRSA - _ r l / i '�0��. w�„�
v'I i ' 4;
�� RR5A ' I
LRRSA II
i ` to P �+
AA
RRS/A" ° > Viz"
..4.-
. RSA ,! E ;; �i.Ji
k-
t` row / 4UMMFREESF,RVATI�� c
Smokehouse Ra. `.. r
O .{'�g I/��/ ,No-
'I/:'1� I O t*. fF.LLRYpWNBAV
g l 1/ R5A yF� T
h
w uT
a RR5A I e7
,p \ RSA 11111
�—} x
tvRe.f �. _ _ i
mar.
a � ' 1
% ...�
Eunice Ram 1 $ f J
C_d
- -___ _-_ __ _. Page 29
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 1 2011
AREA MAP 7
' ,•] 'S.t0A :e�. ' ` 9: o a rh "5@ffi r
• r ..., . tl.
} .vg's`, `° n � , � `d�ewtap `
vl, ° '[gam mi9a k- • � ,c.. au . Id�p§. x,
P— g,. 4 s �,1 tr�l. �i f ?r R
/ � r1d� WLS s5 f ■� 6 II! #,�r,•
C � > e it r P �{ a a4X
0 ,- , w/`w.Mga" „.,,:„, .„;.4 s6' to am �+ t t.. 4S ,s "� '5. y, i d� s
y� ra '2. Y Nt� i tut•wn 3 4a4,x y�{ # ' ) - f
,ij ',t �( `
w 5,.�„e ' R5A -,,,,c-,N,/ , { as •. 4 .. "
MRrt .�,. . w 5 a• ,tr,__ RR ! �.
.. . .to i t r 'e '
I r. f lit i9; °n ,, M1 i x t Y
E.
I
RSA ' l , t r E r 1 "Li' . aj - •' a w
eilli\ nl x : e L\�A°o � uT,'c `‘,'
Yi w R }�, s- u
ggal
✓^ {�v� � 40°90 44 ` ... ry - r
• RRSA• �.�,� w eazee lewna 1 ) _:mxeln'ov/ a, a 1 S• ry
I .;',. 'ci ua° /� . �° rRSA= � RR5A un
_i„�/' 9°ww°tl y,J �--- _ C'— 4`i ii RSA v z z;�
�` .d•
1 : ,,c"-F �Ra. �, :•
�/ m s 3
�, sue' " a nae.ma sc ��, - .oti;. S
rr � a.
a/ "� a a2 1. ��4 �, 3•
Iowa phi 1. . Y1 f - d4
tl1 `< � 8 INGHFM �� RF a
�( 1akewaY fix. 1■ 1 r�
I i e k S �
/1411":�q RSA s ^.
( avian L '
• Um<"mAy" A , 1, I
•
< ..
5 J f g
gaga imrr
EAIRHAVEN p x .
1 - is�' Rossi li E-�
w091 / • / •1°•� wewroaroMm �
.. / 1 Ilk
}_ Page 30
7
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
AREA MAP H ,
—x . - w Aft ` �. R70A. - r✓ J1r- '
n. �
E Smih t1 � 4
g,r . 2 A .M' II' t . . F w2 tH ■ t 3. Ym r r °ro Y k t i
mistitti
snrony ., t :f 1.-1."
..S I , �
/-- ! -. 1
A
i
,r x ,
w / u5 '" awRt
�-:� ti , a °. Jr— .\ i ffI, :' , ,.ua. . & 1
�! c
M
.' r A-41044.).,-1-'1.4.- nag :. 7 nif
T�
-a' ,t 4 x x 3 i
MTN • j �__ ^..-"'I^. \ t1 $e i t E F'
A r a11 �� k, \ ,^� � , � " r p _ .7.
■
R5A/ �,' ,..: ' 6{
R0. \i3 .' ° t� IJT } 5 ,„.3
k S . + I "_c,_., aS Y. 4 I' '
1,- , 1 �i�/ #• l 1.._r.., it ;>x Y. i f1i< a�
r = M.. Ipa1 ;;:
RRSA ,r �� �; wa i *J' x` el
d.. R5A: ` 0AL,S„, •_ J
•
,V. �� Y g ' tt .
"°'roA• v�?” ,�- �
rs4E
Sudden t lr ' i t ro {
d
' Valley S"' 1 As r tF : .. f i4'
L. f R5A'. . (41,....--, -�.�. I i 4 NRSA drallg
4
ilk.,
1 R5A r
� '! may: Ni /7,- i "
1i
Page 31
R
rl
P
•
NI
7
T
ro
C unyry /
l
1
C
�
)C
o
ro
:. l }t 4� Z
Y
J
c
110 i
U r: �
44.—> )
oD
Jm
, la b(t y t u ° x
ug^
; "
o �
"?�. ♦ Q "� �� I_ 1 n
r Lk f
- f ly
E \
L
L
1 �I zr1 1
1 al
NI if
a
Whatcom County Agricultural Land Cover Analysis 2011
11IIW E ti61 LANDear,:�A itakiWi),a Aailli NG` °F ^ '"" rat gi 3:7 , 97177- '"
Legend
Rural Study Areas
Land Use
Single Family Residential
Farmstead SFR
Multi Family SFR/Mobile Home Park
Farmstead Infrastructure
Commercial/Public/Education
Farmland, Active
Farmland, Fallow
- Woodland/Forest
Quarry
Vacant
Water/Stream/Wetland/Lake
Zoning Designation
Agriculture
Rural (10)
U. Rural (5)
t �+
I
Page 33