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Ms. Leanne Mueller January 29, 2002 Page 5 of 6 of compliance from the local authority responsible for administering the Williamson Act contract. Alternatives and Mitigation Measures Feasible alternatives to the project's location or configuration that would lessen or avoid farmland conversion impacts should be considered in the EIR. In addition, while the direct conversion of agricultural land is often deemed to be an unavoidable impact by CEQA analyses, mitigation measures must nevertheless be considered. An EIR shall describe feasible measures which could minimize significant adverse impacts . . . (CEQA Guideline §15126.4(a)(1)." The Department encourages the purchase of agricultural conservation easements on land of at least equal quality and size as partial compensation for the direct loss of agricultural land, as well as for the mitigation of growth inducing and cumulative impacts on agricultural land. We highlight this measure because of its growing acceptance and use by lead agencies as mitigation under CEQA. The loss of agricultural land represents a permanent reduction in the State's agricultural land resources. Agricultural conservation easements will protect a portion of those remaining resources and lessen project impacts in accordance with CEQA Guideline §15370. Mitigation using agricultural conservation easements can be implemented by at least two alternative approaches: the outright purchase of easements or the donation of mitigation fees to a local, regional or statewide organization or agency whose purpose includes the acquisition and stewardship of agricultural conservation easements. The conversion of agricultural land should be deemed an impact of at least regional significance, and the search for replacement lands conducted regionally, and not limited strictly to lands within the project's surrounding area. The Department recommends discussion and consideration of agricultural conservation easement mitigation in the EIR. Information about agricultural conservation easements, as well as the Williamson Act and provisions noted above, is available on the Department's website, or by contacting the Division at the address and phone number listed below. The Department's website address is: http://www.consrv.ca.gov/dIrp/CFcP/index.htm Other forms of mitigation may also be appropriate, including the following: • Protecting nearby farmland from premature conversion through the use of less than permanent long-term restrictions on use such as 20-year Farmland Security Zone