Land Evaluation Site Assessment System - USDAAgricultural Land Evaluation Site Assessment Page 2 . Connecticut Agricultural Land Evaluation Site Assessment System . INTRODUCTION

U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

Helping People Help The Land

AGRICULTURAL LAND EVALUATION SITE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM

MAY 2013 Connecticut LESA System for the Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA)

A land use planning tool designed to determine the quality of land for

agricultural uses and to assess sites or land areas for their agricultural

economic viability.

USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Agricultural Land Evaluation Site Assessment

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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................... 2 USING THE LAND EVALUATION SITE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM ................................................. 2 LAND EVALUATION ............................................................................................................... 3 Table 1: Land Evaluation Group Values ....................................................................................4 Table 2: Example of Land Evaluation .....................................................................................12 SITE ASSESSMENT .................................................................................................................13 Site Assessment Factors CONNECTICUT NRCS CONTACT INFORMATION..................................................................15 FARMLAND CONVERSION IMPACT RATING FORM.............................................................15 MATERIALS TO SUBMIT TO NRCS.........................................................................................15 GLOSSARY............................................................................................................................ 16 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................... 19 APPENDIX A ......................................................................................................................... 20 Connecticut LESA Score Sheet


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Connecticut Agricultural Land Evaluation Site Assessment System

INTRODUCTION

The Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) system is a land use planning tool developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It is designed to determine the quality of land for agricultural uses and to assess sites or land areas for their agricultural economic viability. It provides a technical framework to numerically rank land parcels based upon local resource evaluation and site considerations.

LESA is a two-part evaluation system that focuses on soil productivity and social/economic/environmental factors:

1. Land Evaluation (LE) – In agricultural land evaluation, soils of a given area are rated and placed into

groups ranging from the best to the worst suited for a stated agricultural use, cropland or forest land. A relative value is determined for each group; the best group is assigned a value of 100 and all other groups are assigned lower values. The land evaluation is based on data from the National Cooperative Soil Survey and Soil Survey of the State of Connecticut.

2. Site Assessment (SA) – The site assessment identifies important factors other than soils that contribute to quality of a site for agricultural use. Each factor selected is stratified into a range of possible values in accordance with local needs and objectives. This process provides a rational, consistent, sound basis for making land use decisions.

Application of LESA combines a value for land evaluation with a value for site assessment to determine the total value of a given site for agriculture. The higher the total value of a site, the higher the agricultural economic viability.

USING THE LESA SYSTEM

To assess sites where farmland is being proposed for conversion to non-agricultural uses, the steps below should be followed:

Step 1 – Determine the average relative value of the land by using the Land Evaluation section of the LESA system. The Land Evaluation value is based upon a 100 point scale and accounts for 1/3 of the total score.

Step 2 – Based on local plans, land use information and site inspections, assess the site for each factor shown in the Site Assessment section of LESA. The Site Assessment value is based up on a 200 point scale and accounts for 2/3 of the total score.

Step 3 – Add the agricultural Land Evaluation subtotal to the Site Assessment subtotal to get the total points for the site. A maximum total of 300 points is possible for any site.


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Selecting the project site with the lowest total points will generally protect the best farmland located in the most viable areas and maintain and promote the agricultural industry in Connecticut.

LESA SCORE LEVEL OF PROTECTION

0-200 Low 201-225 Medium 226-250 High 251-300 Very High

See Appendix B for the Land Evaluation and Site Assessment score sheet.

LAND EVALUATION

The Land Evaluation is designed to provide an average site value based upon a maximum number of 100 points. All of the soils in the state of Connecticut are grouped into one of eight (8) soil groups by using prime farmland classification, land capability classification, and productivity index designations. Table 1 below denotes the Land Evaluation Values for all soils within the state of Connecticut


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Table 1: Land Evaluation Group V alues

Group

Map Unit

Symbol

Map Unit Name

Prime Farmland

Classification

Land Capability

Classification

Productivity Index

LE Group 1 – Relative Ag Value 100 (Acres 28,410 Percent of State Land 0.9%) 1 105 Hadley silt loam Prime 1 100 1 90B Stockbridge loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 100 1 48B Georgia and Amenia silt loams, 2-8% slopes Prime 2e 100 1 28A Elmridge fine sandy loam, 0-3% slopes Prime 2w 100 1 106 Winooski silt loam Prime 2w 100 1 27A Belgrade silt loam, 0-5% slopes Prime 2w 100 1 26A Berlin silt loam, 0-3% slopes Prime 2w 100 1 28B Elmridge fine sandy loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2w 97 1 450B Pyrities loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 94 1 31A Copake fine sandy loam, 0-3% slopes Prime 1 91 1 448B Hogansburg loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 91 LE Group 2 – Relative Ag Value 84 (Acres 198,314 Percent of State Land 6.2%) 2 30A Branford silt loam, 0-3% slopes Prime 1 89 2 63B Cheshire fine sandy loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 89 2 31B Copake fine sandy loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 89 2 92B Nellis fine sandy loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 89 2 53B Wapping very fine sandy loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 89 2 20A Ellington silt loam, 0-5% slopes Prime 2w 89 2 55B Watchaug fine sandy loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2w 89 2 53A Wapping very fine sandy loam, 0-3% slopes Prime 2w 89

2 55A Watchaug fine sandy loam, 0-3% slopes Prime 2w 89 2 32A Haven and Enfield soils, 0-3% slopes Prime 1 88 2 21A Ninigret and Tisbury soils, 0-5% slopes Prime 2w 88 2 29A Agawam fine sandy loam, 0-3% slopes Prime 1 86 2 101 Occum fine sandy loam Prime 1 86 2 30B Branford silt loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 86 2 32B Haven and Enfield soils, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 85 2 29B Agawam fine sandy loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 83 2 22A Hero gravelly loam, 0-3% slopes Prime 2w 83 2 22B Hero gravelly loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2w 83 2 421A Ninigret fine sandy loam, cold, 0-3% slopes Prime 2w 83 2 429A Agawam fine sandy loam, cold, 0-3% slopes Prime 1 80 2 66B Narragansett silt loam, 2-8% slopes Prime 2e 80

2 69B Yalesville fine sandy loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 80 2 102 Pootatuck fine sandy loam Prime 2w 80 2 60B Canton and Charlton soils, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 80 LE Group 3 – Relative Ag Value 75 (Acres 242,031 Percent of State Land 7.5%) 3 43B Rainbow silt loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 77

3 429B Agawam fine sandy loam, cold, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 77 3 45B Woodbridge fine sandy loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2w 77 3 45A Woodbridge fine sandy loam, 0-3% slopes Prime 2w 77 3 40A Ludlow silt loam, 0-3% slopes Prime 2w 77


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Group

Map Unit

Symbol

Map Unit Name

Prime Farmland

Classification

Land Capability

Classification

Productivity Index

3 43A Rainbow silt loam, 0-3% slopes Prime 2w 77 3 33A Hartford sandy loam, 0-3% slopes Prime 1 77 3 34A Merrimac sandy loam, 0-3% slopes Prime 1 74 3 87B Wethersfield loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 74 3 34B Merrimac sandy loam, 3-8% slopes

Prime 2e 74

3 40B Ludlow silt loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 74 3 82B Broadbrook silt loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 74 3 33B Hartford sandy loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 74 3 23A Sudbury sandy loam, 0-5% slopes Prime 2w 74 3 84B Paxton and Montauk fine sandy loams, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 71 3 57B Gloucester gravelly sandy loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2s 71

3 434B Merrimac sandy loam, cold, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e 69 3 423A Sudbury sandy loam, cold, 0-3% slopes Prime 2w 69 3 434A Merrimac sandy loam, cold, 0-3% slopes Prime 1 69 3 501 Ondawa fine sandy loam Prime 1 69 3 412B Bice fine sandy loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e - 3 80B Bernardston silt loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2e - 3 50A Sutton fine sandy loam, 0-3% slopes Prime 2w - 3 50B Sutton fine sandy loam, 3-8% slopes Prime 2w - 3 420A Schroon fine sandy loam, 0-3% slopes Prime 2w - 3 420B Schroon fine sandy loam, 3 to 8% slopes Prime 2w - LE Group 4 – Relative Ag Value 72 (Acres 292,770 Percent of County Land 9.1%) 4 25A Brancroft silt loam, 0-3% slopes Important 2w 100 4 25B Brancroft silt loam, 3-8% slopes Important 2e 100 4

26B Berlin silt loam, 3-8% slopes Important 2e 100 4 7 Mudgepond silt loam Important 4w 97 4 90C Stockbridge loam, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 94 4 25C Brancroft silt loam, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 94 4 10 Raynham silt loam Important 4w 91 4 450C Pyrities loam, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 91 4 14 Fredon silt loam Important 4w 91 4 457 Mudgepond silt loam, cold Important 4w 91 4 104 Bash silt loam Important 4w 89 4 92C Nellis fine sandy loam, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 86 4 414 Fredon silt loam, cold Important 4w 85 4 48C Georgia and Amenia silt loams, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 85 4 63C Cheshire fine sandy loam, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 83 4 30C Branford silt loam, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 83 4 31C Copake gravelly loam, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 83 4 32C Haven and Enfield soils, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 83 4 29C Agawam fine sandy loam, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 80 4 9 Scitico, Shaker, and Maybid soils Important 4w 79 4 12 Raypol silt loam Important 4w 77 4 69C Yalesville fine sandy loam, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 77 4 66C Narragansett silt loam, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 77 4 60C Canton and Charlton soils, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 77


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Group

Map Unit

Symbol

Map Unit Name

Prime Farmland

Classification

Land Capability

Classification

Productivity Index

4 24A Deerfield loamy fine sand, 0-3% slopes Important 2w 74 4 45C Woodbridge fine sandy loam, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 74 4 82C Broadbrook silt loam, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 74 4 429C Agawam fine sandy loam, cold, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 74 4 13 Walpole sandy loam Important 4w 71 4 100 Suncook loamy fine sand Important 2s 71 4 35A Penwood loamy sand, 0-3% slopes Important 2s 71

4 35B Penwood loamy sand, 3-8% slopes Important 2s 71 4 39A Groton gravelly sandy loam, 0-3% slopes Important 2s 71 4 87C Wethersfield loam, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 71

4 34C Merrimac sandy loam, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 71 4 38A Hinckley gravelly sandy loam, 0-3% slopes Important 3s 69 4 37A Manchester gravelly sandy loam, 0-3% slopes Important 3s 69 4 38C Hinckley gravelly sandy loam, 3-15% slopes Important 4e 69 4 37C Manchester gravelly sandy loam, 3-15% slopes Important 4e 69 4 36B Windsor loamy sand, 3-8% slopes Important 2s 69 4 36A Windsor loamy sand, 0-3% slopes Important 2s 69 4 84C Paxton and Montauk fine sandy loams, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 69 4 57C Gloucester gravelly sandy loam, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 69 4 39C Groton gravelly sandy loam, 3-15% slopes Important 3e 69 4 36C Windsor loamy sand, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 66 4 434C Merrimac sandy loam, cold, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 66 4 440A Boscawen gravelly sandy loam, 0-3% slopes Important 3s 63 4 440C Boscawen gravelly sandy loam, 3-15% slopes Important 4e 60 4 107 Limerick and Lim soils Important 4w 31 LE Group 5 – Relative Ag Value 0 (Acres 38,857 Percent of County Land 1.2%)

5 80C Bernardston silt loam, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 0 5 412C Bice fine sandy loam, 8-15% slopes Important 3e 0 5 103 Rippowam fine sandy loam Important 4w 0 5 2 Ridgebury fine sandy loam Important 4w 0 5 5 Wilbraham silt loam Important 4w 0 5 4 Leicester fine sandy loam Important 4w 0 5 503 Rumney fine sandy loam Important 4w 0 5 433 Moosilauke sandy loam Important 4w 0 LE Group 6 - Relative Ag Value 0 (Acres 29,194 Percent of County Land 0.9%) 6 450D Pyrities loam, 15-15% slopes Not prime 4e 77 6 63D Cheshire fine sandy loam, 15-25% slopes Not prime 4e 74 6 92D Nellis fine sandy loam, 15-25% slopes Not prime 4e 74 6 60D Canton and Charlton soils, 15-25% slopes Not prime 4e 70 6 84D Paxton and Montauk fine sandy loams, 15-25% slopes Not prime 4e 66 6 87D Wethersfield loam, 15-25% slopes Not prime 4e 66 6 428A Ashfield fine sandy loam, 0-3% slopes Not prime 1 0 6 229B Agawam-Urban land complex, 0-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0 6 260B Charlton-Urban land complex, 3-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0 6 287B Wethersfield-Urban land complex, 3-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0


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Group

Map Unit

Symbol

Map Unit Name

Prime Farmland

Classification

Land Capability

Classification

Productivity Index

6 284B Paxton-Urban land complex, 3-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0 6 263B Cheshire-Urban land complex, 3-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0 6 232B Haven-Urban land complex, 0-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0 6 234B Merrimac-Urban land complex, 0-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0 6 230B Branford-Urban land complex, 0-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0 6 240B Ludlow-Urban land complex,0-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0 6 225B Brancroft-Urban land complex, 0-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0 6 282B Broadbrook-Urban land complex, 3-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0 6 269B Yalesville-Urban land complex, 3-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0 6 428B Ashfield fine sandy loam, 3-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0 6 226B Berlin-Urban land complex, 0-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0 6 243B Rainbow-Urban land complex, 0-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0 6 290B Stockbridge-Urban land complex, 3-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0 6 253B Wapping-Urban land complex, 0-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0 6 266B Narragansett-Urban land complex, 3-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0 6 248B Georgia-Urban land complex, 2-8% slopes Not prime 2e 0 6 235B Penwood-Urban land complex, 0-8% slopes Not prime 2s 0 6 236B Windsor-Urban land complex, 0-8% slopes Not prime 2s 0 6 237A Manchester-Urban land complex, 0-3% slopes Not prime 2s 0 6 424B Shelburne fine sandy loam, 3-8% slopes Not prime 2s 0 6 245B Woodbridge-Urban land complex, 0-8% slopes Not prime 2w 0 6 250B Sutton-Urban land complex, 0-8% slopes Not prime 2w 0 6 221A Ninigret-Urban land complex, 0-5% slopes Not prime 2w 0 6 228B Elmridge-Urban land complex, 0-8% slopes Not prime 2w 0 6 224A Deerfield-Urban land complex, 0-3% slopes Not prime 2w 0 6 255B Watchaug-Urban land complex, 0-8% slopes Not prime 2w 0 6 306 Udorthents-Urban land complex Not prime 3e 0 6 273C Urban land-Charlton-Chatfield complex, rocky, 3-15%

slopes Not prime 3e 0

6 237C Manchester-Urban land complex, 3-15% slopes Not prime 3e 0 6 260C Charlton-Urban land complex, 8-15% slopes Not prime 3e 0 6 284C Paxton-Urban land complex, 8-15% slopes Not prime 3e 0 6 263C Cheshire-Urban land complex, 8-15% slopes Not prime 3e 0 6 287C Wethersfield-Urban land complex, 8-15% slopes Not prime 3e 0 6 269C Yalesville-Urban land complex, 8-15% slopes Not prime 3e 0 6 245C Woodbridge-Urban land complex, 8-15% slopes Not prime 3e 0 6 424C Shelburne fine sandy loam, 8-15% slopes Not prime 3e 0 6 230C Branford-Urban land complex, 8-15% slopes Not prime 3e 0 6 229C Agawam-Urban land complex, 8-15% slopes Not prime 3e 0 6 428C Ashfield fine sandy loam, 8-15% slopes Not prime 3e 0 6 290C Stockbridge-Urban land complex, 8-15% slopes Not prime 3e 0 6 238A Hinckley-Urban land complex, 0-3% slopes Not prime 3s 0 6 308 Udorthents, smoothed Not prime 4e 0 6 305 Udorthents-Pits complex, gravelly Not prime 4e 0 6 238C Hinckley-Urban land complex, 3-15% slopes Not prime 4e 0 6 90D Stockbridge loam, 15-25% slopes Not prime 4e 0


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Group

Map Unit

Symbol

Map Unit Name

Prime Farmland

Classification

Land Capability

Classification

Productivity Index

6 260D Charlton-Urban land complex, 15-25% slopes Not prime 4e 0 6 284D Paxton-Urban land complex, 15-25% slopes Not prime 4e 0 6 309 Udorthents, flood control Not prime 4e 0 6 82D Broadbrook silt loam, 15-25% slopes Not prime 4e 0 6 57D Gloucester gravelly sandy loam, 15-25% slopes Not prime 4e 0 6 287D Wethersfield-Urban land complex,15-25% slopes Not prime 4e 0 6 412D Bice fine sandy loam, 15-25% slopes Not prime 4e 0 6 310 Udorthents, periodically flooded Not prime 4e 0 6 424D Shelburne fine sandy loam, 15-25% slopes Not prime 4e 0 6 290D Stockbridge-Urban land complex, 15-25% slopes Not prime 4e 0 6 442 Brayton loam Not prime 4w 0 6 18 Catden and Freetown soils Not prime 5w 0 6 17 Timakwa and Natchaug soils Not prime 5w 0 6 15 Scarboro muck Not prime 5w 0 6 438 Bucksport muck Not prime 5w 0 6 16 Halsey silt loam Not prime 5w 0 6 437 Wonsqueak mucky peat Not prime 5w 0 6 436 Halsey silt loam, cold Not prime 5w 0 6 435 Scarboro muck, cold Not prime 5w 0 LE Group 7 – Relative Ag Value 0 (Acres 1,588,611 Percent of County Land 49.4%) 7 38E Hinckley gravelly sandy loam, 15-45% slope Not prime 6e 0

7 273E Urban land-Charlton-Chatfield complex, rocky, 15-45% slopes

Not prime 6e 0

7 39E Groton gravelly sandy loam, 15-45% slopes Not prime 6e 0 7 440E Boscawen gravelly sandy loam, 15-45% slopes Not prime 6e 0 7 73C Charlton-Chatfield complex, 3-15% slopes, very rocky Not prime 6s 0 7 75C Hollis-Chatfield-Rock outcrop complex, 3-15 slopes Not prime 6s 0 7 61B Canton and Charlton soils, 3-8% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 61C Canton and Charlton soils, 8-15% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 46B Woodbridge fine sandy loam, 2-8% slopes, very

stony Not prime 6s 0

7 85B Paxton and Montauk fine sandy loams, 3-8% slopes, very stony

Not prime 6s 0

7 85C Paxton and Montauk fine sandy loams, 8-15% slopes, very stony

Not prime 6s 0

7 51B Sutton fine sandy loam, 2-8% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 77C Cheshire-Holyoke complex, 3-15% slopes, very rocky Not prime 6s 0 7 78C Holyoke-Rock outcrop complex, 3-15% slopes Not prime 6s 0 7 413C Bice-Millsite complex, 3-15% slopes, very rocky Not prime 6s 0 7 46C Woodbridge fine sandy loam, 8-15% slopes, very


7 71C Brookfield-Brimfield-Rock outcrop complex, 3-15% slopes

Not prime 6s 0

7 94C Farmington-Nellis complex, 3-15% slopes, very rocky Not prime 6s 0 7 417C Bice fine sandy loam, 8-15% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 417D

Bice fine sandy loam, 15-25% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0


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Group

Map Unit

Symbol

Map Unit Name

Prime Farmland

Classification

Land Capability

Classification

Productivity Index

7 64B Cheshire fine sandy loam, 3-8% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 427C Ashfield fine sandy loam, 8-15% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 88B Wethersfield loam, 3-8% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0

7 425C Shelburne fine sandy loam, 8-15% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 58C Gloucester gravelly sandy loam, 8-15% slopes, very


7 74C Narragansett-Hollis complex, 3-15% slopes, very rocky

Not prime 6s 0

7 67B Narragansett silt loam, 3-8% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 58B Gloucester gravelly sandy loam, 3-8% slopes, very


7 88C Wethersfield loam, 8-15% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 418C Schroon fine sandy loam, 2-15% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 41B Ludlow silt loam, 2-8% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 401C Macomber-Taconic complex, 3-15% slopes, very rocky Not prime 6s 0 7 64C Cheshire fine sandy loam, 8-15% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 427B Ashfield fine sandy loam, 2-8% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 417B Bice fine sandy loam, 3-8% slopes, very rocky Not prime 6s 0 7 91C Stockbridge loam, 8-15% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 83B Broadbrook silt loam, 8-15% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 44B Rainbow silt loam, 2-8% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 425B Shelburne fine sandy loam, 3-8% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 49C Georgia and Amenia silt loams, 8-15% slopes, very


7 408C Fullam silt loam, 3-15% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 49B Georgia and Amenia silt loams, 3-8% slopes, very


7 95C Farmington-Rock outcrop complex, 3-15% slopes Not prime 6s 0 7 54B Wapping fine sandy loam, 2-8% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 83C Broadbrook silt loam, 8-15% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 67C Narragansett silt loam, 8-15% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 70C Branford-Holyoke complex, 3-15% slopes, very rocky Not prime 6s 0 7 93C Nellis fine sandy loam, 3-15% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 56B Watchaug fine sandy loam,2-8% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 409B Brayton mucky silt loam, 0-8% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 405C Dummerston gravelly loam, 3-15% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 407C Lanesboro loam, 3-15% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 449C Hogansburg loam, 8-15% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 91B Stockbridge loam, 3-8% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 451C Pyrities loam, 8-15% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 449B Hogansburg loam, 3-8% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 451B Pyrities loam, 3-8% slopes, very stony Not prime 6s 0 7 108 Saco silt loam Not prime 6w 0 7 109 Fluvaquents-Udifluvents complex, frequently flooded Not prime 6w 0 7 508 Medomak silt loam Not prime 6w 0


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Group

Map Unit

Symbol

Map Unit Name

Prime Farmland

Classification

Land Capability

Classification

Productivity Index

7 37E Manchester gravelly sandy loam, 15-45% slopes Not prime 7e 0

7 304 Udorthents, loamy, very steep Not prime 7e 0

7 3 Ridgebury, Leicester, and Whitman soils, extremely stony

Not prime 7s 0

7 73E Charlton-Chatfield complex, 15-45% slopes, very rocky

Not prime 7s 0

7 75E Hollis-Chatfield-Rock outcrop complex, 15-45% slopes Not prime 7s 0 7 62C Canton and Charlton soils, 3-15% slopes, extremely


7 62D Canton and Charlton soils, 15-35% slopes, extremely stony

Not prime 7s 0

7 47C Woodbridge fine sandy loam, 2-15% slopes, extremely stony

Not prime 7s 0

7 52C Sutton fine sandy loam, 2-15% slopes, extremely stony Not prime 7s 0 7 86C Paxton and Montauk fine sandy loams, 3-15% slopes,

extremely stony Not prime 7s 0

7 86D Paxton and Montauk fine sandy loams, 15-35% slopes, extremely stony

Not prime 7s 0

7 78E Holyoke-Rock outcrop complex, 15-45% slopes Not prime 7s 0 7 6 Wilbraham and Menlo soils, extremely stony Not prime 7s 0 7 77D Cheshire-Holyoke complex, 15-35% slopes, very rocky Not prime 7s 0 7 413E Bice-Millsite complex, 15-45% slopes, very rocky Not prime 7s 0 7 415E Westminster-Millsite-Rock outcrop complex, 15-45%

slopes Not prime 7s 0

7 59C Gloucester gravelly sandy loam, 3-15% slopes, extremely stony

Not prime 7s 0

7 42C Ludlow silt loam, 2-15% slopes, extremely stony Not prime 7s 0 7 89C Wethersfield loam, 3-15% slopes, extremely stony Not prime 7s 0 7 89D Wethersfield loam, 15-35% slopes, extremely stony Not prime 7s 0 7 443 Brayton-Loonmeadow complex, extremely stony Not prime 7s 0 7 415C Westminster-Millsite-Rock outcrop complex, 3-15%


7 59D Gloucester gravelly sandy loam, 15-35% slopes, extremely stony

Not prime 7s 0

7 71E Brookfield-Brimfield-Rock outcrop complex, 15-45% slopes

Not prime 7s 0

7 65C Cheshire fine sandy loam, 3-15% slopes, extremely stony

Not prime 7s 0

7 94E Farmington-Rock outcrop complex, 15-35% slopes, very rocky

Not prime 7s 0

7 68D Narragansett silt loam, 15-25% slopes, extremely stony

Not prime 7s 0

7 68C Narragansett silt loam, 3-15% slopes, extremely stony Not prime 7s 0


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Group

Map Unit

Symbol

Map Unit Name

Prime Farmland

Classification

Land Capability

Classification

Productivity Index

7 8 Mudgepond and Alden soils, extremely stony Not prime 7s 0 7 91D Stockbridge loam, 15-35% slopes, very stony Not prime 7s 0 7 426D Shelburne fine sandy loam, 15-35% slopes, extremely


7 403F Taconic-Rock outcrop complex, 45-70% slopes Not prime 7s 0 7 95E Farmington-Rock outcrop complex,15-45% slopes Not prime 7s 0 7 403E Taconic-Rock outcrop complex,15-45% slopes Not prime 7s 0 7 81D Bernardston silt loam, 15-25% slopes, extremely stony Not prime 7s 0 7 65D Cheshire fine sandy loam, 15-35% slopes, extremely


7 81C Bernardston silt loam, 3-15% slopes, extremely stony Not prime 7s 0 7 402D Taconic-Macomber-Rock outcrop complex, 15-25%


7 405E Dummerston gravelly loam, 15-45% slopes, very stony Not prime 7s 0 7 407E Lanesboro loam, 15-45% slopes, very stony Not prime 7s 0 7 403C Taconic-Rock outcrop complex, 3-15% slopes Not prime 7s 0 7 458 Mudgepond and Alden soils, extremely stony, cold Not prime 7s 0 7 451D Pyrities loam, 15-25% slopes, very stony Not prime 7s 0 7 76E Rock outcrop-Hollis complex, 3-45% slopes Not prime 8 0 7 76F Rock outcrop-Hollis complex, 45-60% slopes Not prime 8 0 7 98 Westbrook mucky peat Not prime 8 0 7 79E Rock outcrop-Holyoke complex, 3-45% slopes Not prime 8 0 7 99 Westbrook mucky peat, low salt Not prime 8 0 7 301 Beaches-Udipsamments complex, coastal Not prime 8 0 7 275C Urban land-Chatfield complex, rocky, 3-15% slopes Not prime 8 0 7 416E Rock outcrop-Westminster complex, 8-45% slopes Not prime 8 0 7 97 Pawcatuck mucky peat Not prime 8 0 7 275E Urban land-Chatfield-Rock outcrop complex, 15-45%

slopes Not prime 8 0

7 96 Ipswich mucky peat Not prime 8 0 7 416F Rock outcrop-Westminster complex, 45-70% slopes Not prime 8 0 Miscellaneous and Subaqueous Soils 302 Dumps Not prime 8 0 303 Pits, quarries Not prime 8 0

307 Urban land Not prime 8 0 W Water Not prime N/A 0 800 Wequetequock mucky silt loam, 0-2 meter water

Not prime 8w 0

811 Napatree sand, 0-1 meter water depth, extremely bouldery

Not prime 8w 0

810 Napatree sand, 0-1 meter water depth, bouldery Not prime 8w 0 820 Fort Neck mucky silt loam, 0-1 meter water depth Not prime 8w 0 830 Anguilla mucky sand, 0-1 meter water depth Not prime 8w 0 840 Rhodesfolly fine sand, 0-1 meter water depth Not prime 8w 0 841 Rhodesfolly fine sand, 1-2 meter water depth Not prime 8w 0


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Group

Map Unit

Symbol

Map Unit Name

Prime Farmland

Classification

Land Capability

Classification

Productivity Index

Miscellaneous and Subaqueous Soils 850 Marshneck loam, 1-2 meter water depth Not prime 8w 0 860 Billington silt loam, 0-1 meter water depth Not prime 8w 0 910 Fort Neck mucky silt loam, 1-2 meter water depth Not prime 8w 0

LAND EVALUATION continued The Land Evaluation value is provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Connecticut. The land evaluation value can be calculated by working through the following steps:

1. Utilize GIS to outline the area of interest being proposed for development on an aerial map and topographic map. Overlay the soils data on the map. Soil information is provided by USDA-NRCS and can be found online using Web Soil Survey (http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/).

2. Calculate the acreage of each individual soil map unit within the area of interest utilizing GIS. Record the map unit symbol and amount of acres in the correct columns.

3. From Table 1, select the appropriate value group for each soil series and record the number in the value group column.

4. From Table 1, select the relative agricultural value for each corresponding soil value group. Record the number in the value group column.

5. Multiply the relative value by the number of acres. This is the product. 6. Total the product of each soil series. Divide this number by the total number of acres. 7. The figure represents the LAND EVALUATION number and is the first part of the Land Evaluation

and Site Assessment (LESA) System. 8. The maximum number of points for any given parcel is 100. A score of 80 or greater denotes

that the site is well suited for agricultural uses. Table 2. Example of Land Evaluation

A 28.2 acre tract of land is being proposed for development and contains four soil map units: 31B Copake fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, 90B Stockbridge loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, 48B Georgia and Amenia silt loams, 2 to 8 percent slopes, 290B Stockbridge – Urban land complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes.

LAND EVALUATION WORKSHEET

Map Unit Symbol Value Group

Relative Value

Acres Product of Relative Value (Relative Value x Acres)

31B 2 89 12.0 1068 90B 1 100 10.1 1010 48B 1 100 1.0 100 290B 6 0 5.1 0

Total: 28.2 2178

LE Calculation:

(Product of Relative Value / Total Acres) 2178 / 28.2 = 77.2

LE Score: LE = 77

http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/


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SITE ASSESSMENT

The Site Assessment process provides a system for identifying important factors, other than soil productivity, that affect the economic viability of a site for agricultural uses. Based upon current land use data, land use regulations, site inspection and other pertinent information, a point value is determined by analyzing each site assessment factor and selecting a number value that best reflects the quality of the property in question.

Site Assessment Factors

To establish the Site Assessment point value of the given parcel, work through the following steps utilizing GIS data to assign a point value for each factor. Add all factor values to arrive at a Site Assessment subtotal. The maximum number of possible points for any given parcel is 200. The site assessment criteria are:

1. How much land is in nonurban use within a radius of 1.0 mile from where the project is intended? More than 90 percent 15 points 90 to 20 percent 14 to 1 point(s) Less than 20 percent 0 points

2. How much of the perimeter of the site borders on land in nonurban use?

More than 90 percent 10 points 90 to 20 percent 9 to 1 point(s) Less than 20 percent 0 points

3. How much of the site has been farmed (managed for a scheduled harvest or timber activity) more than 5 of the last 10 years? More than 90 percent 20 points 90 to 20 percent 19 to 1 points(s) Less than 20 percent 0 points

4. Is the site subject to State or unit of local government policies or programs to protect farmland or covered by private programs to protect farmland? Site is protected 20 points Site is not protected 0 points

5. How close is the site to an urban built-up area?

The site is 2 miles or more from an urban built-up area 15 points The site is more than 1 mile but less than 2 miles from an urban built-up area 10 points The site is less than 1 mile from, but is not adjacent to an urban built-up area 5 points The site is adjacent to an urban built-up area 0 points


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6. How close is the site to water lines, sewer lines and/or other local facilities and services whose capacities and design would promote nonagricultural use? None of the services exist nearer than 3 miles from the site 15 points Some of the services exist more than 1 but less than 3 miles from the site 10 points All of the services exist within 1/2 mile of the site 0 points

7. Is the farm unit(s) containing the site (before the project) as large as the average-size farming unit in the county (Average farm sizes in each county are available from the NRCS field offices in each State. Data are from the latest available Census of Agriculture, Acreage of Farm Units in Operation with $1,000 or more in sales.)? As large or larger 10 points Below average deduct 1 point for each 5 percent below the average, down to 0 points if 50 percent or more below average 9 to 0 points

8. If this site is chosen for the project, how much of the remaining land on the farm will become non-farmable

because of interference with land patterns? Acreage equal to more than 25 percent of acres directly converted by the project?10 points Acreage equal to between 25 and 5 percent of the acres directly converted by the project?9 to 1 point(s) Acreage equal to less than 5 percent of the acres directly converted by the project?0 points

9. Does the site have available adequate supply of farm support services and markets, i.e., farm suppliers,

equipment dealers, processing and storage facilities and farmer's markets? All required services are available 5 points Some required services are available 4 to 1 point(s) No required services are available 0 points

10. Does the site have substantial and well-maintained on-farm investments such as barns, other storage

buildings, fruit trees and vines, field terraces, drainage, irrigation, waterways, or other soil and water conservation measures? High amount of on-farm investment 20 points Moderate amount of on-farm investment 19 to 1 point(s) No on-farm investment 0 points

11. Would the project at this site, by converting farmland to nonagricultural use, reduce the demand for farm

support services so as to jeopardize the continued existence of these support services and thus, the viability of the farms remaining in the area? Substantial reduction in demand for support services if the site is converted 10 points Some reduction in demand for support services if the site is converted 9 to 1 point(s) No significant reduction in demand for support services if the site is converted 0 points

12. Is the kind and intensity of the proposed use of the site sufficiently incompatible with agriculture that it is

likely to contribute to the eventual conversion of surrounding farmland to nonagricultural use? Proposed project is incompatible with existing agricultural use of surrounding farmland 10 points Proposed project is tolerable to existing agricultural use of surrounding farmland 9 to 1 point(s) Proposed project is fully compatible with existing agricultural use of surrounding farmland 0 points


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CONNECTICUT NRCS CONTACT INFORMATION If you represent a Federal agency in a project that has the potential to convert important farmland to non-farm use, please contact Debbie Surabian, State Soil Scientist at 860-871-4042 or [email protected] of the Connecticut Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). CT NRCS uses this land evaluation and site assessment (LESA) system to establish a farmland conversion impact rating score on proposed sites of Federally funded and assisted projects. This score is used as an indicator for the project sponsor to consider alternative sites if the potential adverse impacts on the farmland exceed the recommended allowable level. FARMLAND CONVERSION IMPACT RATING FORM The assessment is completed on form AD-1006, Farmland Conversion Impact Rating. Federal agencies (or the sponsoring agency of Federally funded projects) involved in proposed projects that may convert farmland, as defined in the Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA) to nonagricultural uses, will initially complete Parts I and III of the form. For Corridor type projects, the Federal agency shall use form NRCS-CPA-106 in place of form AD-1006.

MATERIALS TO SUBMIT TO NRCS 1. AD-1006 form with Parts I and III filled out (CPA-106 for corridor type projects.) 2. Maps showing the project area.

a. Use points and lines on USGS 7.5 minute quadrangle topographic maps with the project area that will be converted accurately delineated.

b. Provide dimensions of the area to be converted or if the project extends along a corridor, the width and length of each segment of the project.

3. Alternative to #2; provide digital data of the project. a. Export data to ArcGIS shape file format.

4. Cover letter with as many specifics of the project. a. Include dimensions of the project. b. Include other directions. c. List the county or counties where the project is located.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1045394.pdf




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GLOSSARY AGRICULTURE: Land, buildings, structures, the principal use or uses of which is growing of farm or truck garden crops, dairying, pasturage, agricultural, horticulture, floriculture, hydroponics, viticulture, or animals or poultry husbandry, and accessory uses customarily incidental to agricultural activities including but not limited to the farm dwelling, dwellings for tenants and hired farm workers.

FARMLAND: Means prime or unique farmlands as defined in section 1540(c)(1) of the Act or farmland that is determined by the appropriate state or unit of local government agency or agencies with concurrence of the Secretary to be farmland of statewide of local importance. “Farmland” does not include land already in or committed to urban development or water storage. Farmland “already in” urban development or water storage includes all such land with a density of 30 structures per 40-acre area. Farmland already in urban development also includes lands identified as “urbanized area” (UA) on the Census Bureau Map, or as urban area mapped with a “tint overprint” on the USGS topographical maps, or as “urban-built-up” on the USDA Important Farmland Maps. Areas shown as white on the USDA Important Farmland Maps are not “farmland” and, therefore, are not subject to the Act. Farmland “committed to urban development or water storage” includes all such land that receives a combined score of 160 points or less from the land evaluation and site assessment criteria.

IMPORTANT FARMLAND: This land is of statewide importance for the production of food, feed, fiber, forage and oilseed crops. Generally, additional farmlands of statewide importance include those that are nearly prime farmland and that economically produce high yields of crops when treated and managed according to acceptable farming methods. Some may produce as high a yield as prime farmlands if conditions are favorable.

INFRASTRUCTURE: The basic installations and facilities of which the continuance and growth of community depends; includes roads, schools, utilities, transportation and communication systems, etc.

LAND CAPABIL I TY CLASSIFICATION: A system of grouping soils primarily on the basis of their capability to produce common cultivated crops and pasture plants without deteriorating over a long period of time.

The nation capability classification show soils groupings in eight classes:

CLASS I (1) soils have slight limitations that restrict their use.

CLASS II (2) soils have moderate limitations that restrict the choice of plants or require moderate conservation practices.

CLASS III (3) soils have severe limitations that restrict the choice of plants or require special conservation practices, or both.

CLASS IV (4) soils have very severe limitations that restrict the choice of plants or that require very careful management, or both.

CLASS V (5) soils are subject to little or no erosion but have other limitations, impractical to remove, that restrict their use mainly to pasture, rangeland, forestland or wildlife habitat. CLASS VI (6) soils have severe limitations that make them generally unsuited for cultivation and that restrict their use mainly to pasture, rangeland, forestland or wildlife habitat.


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CLASS VII (7) soils have very severe limitations that make them unsuitable for cultivation and that restrict their use largely to grazing, forestland, or wildlife habitat. CLASS VIII (8) soils and miscellaneous areas have limitations that preclude commercial plant production and that restrict their use to recreational purposes, wildlife habitat, and watershed or to aesthetic purposes.

LAND CAPABILITY SUBCLASS: The second category in the land capability classification system which represents the dominate limitation that determines the capability class. Within a capability class, where the kinds of limitations are essentially equal, the subclasses have the following priority: e, w, s, and c. Subclasses are not assigned to soils in capability class I (1) and subclass “e” is not used in class V (5).

SUBCLASS (E) EROSION – Applies to soils where the susceptibility to erosion is the dominant problem or hazard in their use. Erosion susceptibility and past erosion damage are the major soil factors for placing soils in the subclass.

SUBCLASS (S) LIMITING LAYER – Identifies limitations within the rooting zone such as low available water capacity and/or limiting amount of stones.

SUBCLASS (W) EXCESS WATER – Applies to soils where excess water is the dominant hazard or limitation in their use. Poor soil drainage, wetness, high water table, and overflow are the criteria for determining which soils belong in the subclass. SUBCLASS (C) CLIMATE – Applies to soils for which the climate (the temperature or lack of moisture) is the major hazard or limitation affecting their use.

PRIME FARMLAND: Prime farmland is land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops and that is available for these uses. It has the combination of soil properties, growing season, and moisture supply needed to produce sustained high yields of crops in an economic manner if it is treated and managed according to acceptable farming methods. In general, prime farmland has an adequate and dependable water supply from precipitation or irrigation, a favorable temperature and growing season, an acceptable level of acidity or alkalinity, an acceptable content of salt or sodium, and few or no rocks. Its soils are permeable to water and air. Prime farmland is not excessively eroded or saturated with water for long periods of time, and it either does not flood frequently during the growing season or is protected from flooding.

PRODUCTIVITY INDEX: Expresses the estimated yields of the major grain crops as a percentage of the average yields obtained under high level management. Soil productivity is strongly influenced by the capacity of the soil to supply the nutrient and soil-stored water needs of a growing crop in a given climate.

SOIL MA P U N IT: A collection of areas defined and named the same in terms of their soil components or miscellaneous areas or both. Each map unit differs in some respect from all others in the survey area and is uniquely identified on a soil map.

SOIL PRODUCTIVITY: The capacity of a soil in its normal environment for producing a specified plant under a specified system of management.


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SOIL SURVEY: Describes the characteristics of the soils in a given area, classifies the soils according to a standard system of classification, plots the boundaries of the soils on a map, and makes predictions about the behavior of soils. The different uses of the soils and how the response of management affects them are considered. The information collected in a soil survey helps in the development of land-use plans and evaluates and predicts the effects of land use on the environment.


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REFERENCES

Code of Federal Regulations – Title 7: Agriculture. Part 658: Farmland Protection Policy Act. http://cfr.vlex.com/vid/658-5-criteria-19905821 [Accessed January 2013]

Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. “Web Soil Survey”.

http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm [Accessed January 2013].

Pease, James R., and Robert E. Coughlin. Land Evaluation and Site Assessment: A Guidebook for Rating

Agricultural Lands, Second Edition. Ankeny, Iowa: Soil and Water Conservation Society.

United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. “National Soil Survey

Handbook, title 430–VI”. http://soils.usda.gov/technical/

United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. “Land Capability Classification”. U.S.

Department of Agriculture Handbook 210. 1961.

United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Survey Division Staff. Soil Survey Manual. U.S.

Department of Agriculture Handbook No. 18. 1993.

http://cfr.vlex.com/vid/658-5-criteria-19905821

http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm

http://soils.usda.gov/technical/


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LESA SCORE LEVEL OF PROTECTION 0-200 Low

201-225 Medium 226-250 High 251-300 Very High

APPENDIX A

Connecticut LESA Score Sheet

Project Name: Petitioner:

Project Location:

LAND EVALUATION:

Soil Series Value Group

Relative Value

Acres Product of Relative Value (Relative Value x Acres)

Total:

LE Calculation: (Product of Relative Value / Total Acres)

LE Score: LE =

SITE ASSESSMENT:

For NRCS Points 1. Area in Nonurban Use 2. Perimeter in Nonurban Use 3. Percent of Site Being Farmed 4. Protection Provided by State and Local Government 5. Distance From Urban Built-up Area 6. Distance to Urban Support Services

7. Size of Present Farm Unit Compared to Average 8. Creation of Nonfarmable Farmland 9. Availability of Farm Support Services 10. On-Farm Investments 11. Effects of Conversion on Farm Support Services 12. Compatibility with Existing Agricultural Uses Site Assessment Score:

Land Evaluation Value + Site Assessment Value = LESA Score

LESA Score Representatives:

Name:

Entity:

Name:

Entity:

Documents

Land Evaluation Site Assessment System - USDAAgricultural Land Evaluation Site Assessment Page 2 . Connecticut Agricultural Land Evaluation Site Assessment System . INTRODUCTION