Farmland Preservation Snapshot
RenewLV Farmland Preservation Snapshot 2016
Is development outpacing the rate of farmland preservation in the Lehigh Valley region? The Lehigh Valley’s Comprehensive Plan, developed by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and adopted by Lehigh and Northampton Counties in 2005 states the goal of preserving approximately 25 percent of the land for agricultural purposes. How far are we to meeting the agreed upon goal? Can we still get there?
Lehigh Northampton
Total Acres 222,973 241,438
LVPC 25% Goal 55,743 60,360
Total Preserved To Date 21,659 14,291
Preserved as % of Total Acres 9.71% 5.92%
Preserved as % of Goal 38.85% 23.68%
Acres to Meet Goal 34,084 46,069
Remaining Unprotected Farmland 54,672 46,379
Approximate # of Acres Preserved/Year 375 800
# Acres Developed/Year (estimate) 1,500 1,500
Cost/Acre of County Easements $4,000 $5,000
Sources:
2012 Pennsylvania Census of Agriculture
Northampton County Farmland Preservation Office
Lehigh County Bureau of Agricultural Land Preservation
