AUTHORITY

AUTHORITY

The Columbia County Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board (AFPB) was established in 1992 by authority of NYS Agriculture & Markets Law Article 25AA. The AFPB has the following powers and duties:

• • • • Advise the county legislative body (Columbia County Board of Supervisors) on matters related to the proposed establishment, modification, continuation, or termination of any state-certified Article 25AA agricultural district.

      • Review notice of intent filings (pursuant to Article 25AA) and make findings and recommendations on the potential impacts of governmental actions involving lands in state-certified Article 25AA agricultural districts.

      • May develop (update/amend) a county agricultural and farmland protection plan (pursuant to Article 25AA).

      • Request the commissioner of the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets to review any state agency rules and regulations which the board identifies as affecting agricultural activities within a state-certified Article 25AA agricultural district.

      • Notify the commissioner of the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets and the Commissioner of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation of any attempts to propose the siting of solid waste management facilities upon farmland within a stat- certified Article 24AA agricultural district.

      • At the request of one or more owners of land used in agricultural production, review land classification established by NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets for such land and recommend revisions the specific classification to the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets.

The AFPB consists of eleven members including up to six members representing active farmers and agribusiness and the following positions: chairman of the County Soil and Water Conservation District board of directors (or designee), a member of the County Board of Supervisors, a county Cornell Cooperative Extension agent, the county planning director and the county director of real property tax services.