(A) Application procedure.
(1) A landowner may apply to participate in the program by making application to the chairperson of the Advisory Board or a designated staff person. The application shall be on forms provided by the Advisory Board. The application to participate in a district may be filed with the certification for qualifying farmland.
(2) A conservation agreement to sustain, encourage and promote agriculture must be executed by the landowner and recorded with the Advisory Board. Permitted uses include agriculture, horticulture, forestry and outdoor recreation.
(3) A one-time fee per farm of $25 will be levied to cover administrative costs.
(B) Approval process.
(1) Upon submission of the application to the Advisory Board, the Advisory Board shall meet within 90 days to approve or disapprove the application. The Chairperson shall notify the applicant by first class mail of approval or disapproval of participation in the district.
(2) Upon receipt of an application, the Chairperson will forward copies immediately to the following offices which shall be asked to provide comments, if any, to the Advisory Board prior to the date set for the Advisory Board vote on the application:
(a) The Surry County Tax Assessor;
(b) The Surry Soil and Water Conservation District office; and
(c) The Natural Resources Conservation Service.
(C) Appeal. If an application is denied by the Advisory Board, the petitioner shall have 30 days to appeal the decision to the Board of Commissioners. Such appeal shall be presented in writing. The decision of the Board of Commissioners is final.
(Ord. passed 3-16-2015)