Abstract
In 1976 Suffolk County initiated a farmland preservation program to manage residential growth through the public purchase of development rights on prime agricultural land. As currently envisioned, the program will acquire development rights on only about one-fourth of the agricultural land in the county. The most likely acreage for which development rights will be purchased is devoted now to land-extensive crops. On a per acre basis, these crops contribute little to gross farm receipts when compared to the more land-intensive enterprises. It also is possible that the program will increase, rather than decrease, the cost of agricultural production on the program acreage. Furthermore, it may encourage the development of small country estates on the land that is now in commercial agriculture. While the program may help to continue an open landscape in limited areas of eastern Suffolk County, it is unlikely that even without the program all of the agricultural land will be developed. With so little of the potentially developable land included in the program, it appears the purchase of development rights will have little effect on the county's population density. The program will result in cost savings in public services, but on a per acre basis the developmentmore » rights will cost more than the present value of the most optimistic estimates of public service cost savings. Moreover, any tax savings experienced will benefit those taxpayers who live in close proximity to the preserved acreage at the expense of those who live in western Suffolk County. While it seems the program cannot be justified on an economic basis, the unique island geography limiting accessibility of alternative open space, the continuing concern about overpopulation, and the relative affluence of the residents may help explain local support for the program. The Suffolk County situation might be useful to other areas worried about controlling urban fringe growth. 24 references.« less
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