44-10-45. Administration of program.

In administering the program, the department shall, under the direction and advice of the council:

Give priority to project proposals that protect agricultural lands susceptible to development, subdivision, and fragmentation;#

Adopt a scoring process for evaluating project proposals and prioritizing projects based on the extent that the project will:#

1. (A)

   Protect farmland in active or planned cultivation;#

2. (B)

   Prevent development or fragmentation that would result in farmland loss;#

3. (C)

   Support transition of affordable farmland to next-generation farmers;#

4. (D)

   Leverage local, federal, or private funding, taking into account whether such funding includes a match requirement;#

5. (E)

   Support conservation priorities, including, but not limited to, protection of habitat, water quality, watershed conservation, climate resiliency, local conservation plans, and public viewshed;#

6. (F)

   Preserve or enhance soil quality; and#

7. (G)

   Create or further enhance compatibility with existing military installations; and#

Ensure that, per its terms, any agricultural conservation easement to be acquired through the project:#

1. (A)

   Is of perpetual duration;#

2. (B)

   May not be assigned to or enforced by a third party without the express written consent of the landowner; and#

3. (C)

   Aligns with existing federal and local programs to maximize potential for matching funds.#