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Annie W. Peninger Carl D. Pless Sr. George L. Pless Wade H. Ritchie Jr. Edith Walker, Sarah E. Walker Water quality in streams in agricultural areas is much higher than the runoff in streams from residential and industrial areas. Pollutants that find their way into streams in residential and industrial areas include waste from pets and copper (which replaced asbestos) from automotive brake linings. Farms in the countryside contribute to the county's tourist attractions. Farmers and landowners who actively participate at the Cabarrus County Fair add considerably to the educational value of the fair. Each $1.00 collected by the county in property taxes from land enrolled in the deferred tax program costs the county $0.31 in services provided by the county to those living on those properties. Each $1.00 collected by the county in property taxes from residential development costs the county $1.15 in services provided by the county For these reasons, it is in the county's interest to promote the local agricultural industry and protect farmland. Enabling farmers who want to continue to farm to do so is a cost effective way of maintaining the quality of life of everyone in Cabarrus County. As demonstrated by data supplied below, North Carolina is losing farmland. Farming faces a unique set of stresses, some of which Cabarrus County with thoughtful action can help to mitigate. To better understand these stresses, and the steps the county can take to reduce them, it is helpful to first understand the history, geography (including the soil resource), economic trends, and regulations governing farming. It is also important to understand the values and concerns of the farmers themselves. ARTICLE II: AUTHORITY FOR COUNTY ACTION In 1986, the North Carolina General Assembly passed the North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Enabling Act . The stated purpose of this Act is "to authorize counties to undertake a series of programs to encourage the preservation of farmland as defined herein. " In addition to enabling counties to create Voluntary Agricultural District ordinances, which Cabarrus County adopted in November 17, 2005, the Act also created the North Carolina Farmland Preservation Fund and enabled counties to develop purchase of agricultural conservation easements (PACE) programs. By later amendment, the General Assembly created a matching mechanism for distribution of Farmland Preservation Trust Fund monies, with preference to counties adopting a countywide farmland protection plan. The Act declares that a countywide farmland protection plan shall: 1. Contain a list and description of existing agricultural activity in the county. 4 Attachment number 1 G -1 Page 199