Discussion and direction regarding potential updates to Yolo LAFCo Agricultural Conservation Policies addressing Strategic Work Plan Items 6.2 "Study agricultural land conversion for climate change needs" and 6.4 "Consider updates to LAFCo’s agricultural conservation policies, including adjusting the agricultural mitigation ratio" (no action will be taken)

Receive the Yolo LAFCo Agricultural Conservation Policies Background Report, discuss, and provide direction regarding the following staff recommendations:

1. Retain the existing 1:1 agricultural mitigation ratio, which creates a baseline for any development projects that require LAFCo action.
2. Retain the existing language in Policy 4.9 that states conservation easements must be within Yolo County.
3. Consider language to encourage easements within 2 miles of cities or rural towns and easements adjacent to existing easements to create larger clusters of protected farmland.
4. Direct staff to research and develop a framework to potentially create a mitigation alternative that could fund irrigation projects that revive fallowed agricultural land or increase productivity/growing season.

The two-year Yolo LAFCo Strategic Work Plan, adopted in April 2024, included four actions regarding the relationship between LAFCo's Agricultural Land Preservation Policy and other mandates such as housing requirements and climate actions. This study specifically addresses the following action steps:

• 6.2 Study ag land conversion for climate change needs (e.g., comprehensive evaluation of converting ag to solar arrays)
• 6.4 Consider updates to LAFCo’s ag conservation policies, including adjusting the ag mitigation ratio

 

Please see the attached Yolo LAFCo Agricultural Conservation Policies Background Report.