Wietiltural !a-ads, forest llan&T-ethet <br />lands, natural reseume and spaee 1"t. eme ir, n n . rlt <br />ff lobs, <br />4r ProteGt no reYiewn le (sa f1 an gt"el) resaufe W I~ -6 -em prematur an A A- Ln <br />Findings and Policies <br />Agricultural Lands (Goal 3) <br />Findings <br />4-51. The statewide goal definition for agriculture is based upon: (a) U.S. Department of <br />Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (MRCS) agricultural soil <br />capability classification system for Class I through IV soils, (b) other agricultural uses on <br />Class V through VTQ soils, and (c) proximity of other lands to (a) and (b). The majority <br />of land in the metropolitan area is located on agricultural soils rated Classes I through IV, <br />and much of this area is developed with urban uses. The hillside soils are generally <br />Classes VI through VIH soils, and some are suited for grazing and other agricultural uses. <br />4-62. The most productive, agricultural lands in the metropolitan area are located on Class I <br />through IV soils on bottomlands along the McKenzie River and the Middle Fork of the <br />Willamette River. <br />2-93. Where urban and agricultural lands abut, farm use management problems are frequently <br />created. <br />Policies <br />&C.l Where agricultural land is being considered for inclusion in future amendments to the <br />UGB, least productive agricultural land shall be considered first. Factors other than <br />agricultural soil ratings shall be considered when determining the productivity of <br />agricultural land. Relevant factors include suitability for grazing, climatic conditions, <br />existing and future availability of water for farm irrigation, ownership patterns, land use <br />patterns, proximity to agricultural soils or current farm uses, other adjacent land uses, <br />agricultural history, technological and energy inputs required, accepted farming practices, <br />and farm market conditions. <br />8C.2 Designated agricultural lands shall be protected for agricultural uses through zoning for <br />exclusive farm use or equivalent acceptable zoning and through application'of other <br />protective measures. <br />9C.3 During the next Metro Plan update, a study should be initiated to examine ways of <br />buffering and protecting agricultural lands on the urban fringe from the effects of urban <br />Exhibit B; Proposed amendments to Chapter III-C, Environmental Resources Element, Page 4 of 25 <br />of the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Plan (Metro Plan). <br />Laurel Ridge Record (Z 15-5) Page 281 <br />