TWENTY-FOUR YEARS OF FARMLAND PRESERVATION IN MICHIGAN, PA 116

Michigan, similar to other states in the Great Lakes and Midwest area, entered the farmland preservation arena in the early 1970's in response to a growing concern over the conversion of farmland to non-agricultural uses. Reports indicated that farmland acreage in Michigan was being converted to non-agricultural uses at a rate of 300 acres per day and 30,000 lots per year were created between 1940-1970. A Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission in 1970 provided evidence that the loss of farmland in the state was an emerging state policy concern and made several recommendations which ultimately lead to "Farmland and Open Space Preservation Act," Public Act 116, 1974, hereafter referred to as the P.A. 116 Program. The purpose of the Program was to slow the conversion of farmland to non-farm uses while at the same time provide property tax relief to farmland owners because farmers claimed that high property taxes were forcing them to sell land for development. Payments from the State were made in exchange for development rights for an agreed upon period.Land Economics/Use,

THE LAND DIVISION AMENDMENTS TO THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL ACT

On January 21, 1997, Governor Engler signed into law 1996 P.A. 591, the Land Division Act. This Act replaced the Subdivision Control Act after 30 years and changed the rules on how land is divided in Michigan. 1997 P.A. 87, effective July 28, 1997, amended the recently created 1996 Land Division Act. While some hailed these as positive changes allowing improved land use, others strongly disagree. This paper is an attempt to alleviate the frustration by providing a history of land division legislation in Michigan because past laws creates an assumed set of rights which are not easily changes. The second focus of the paper is to lessen the confusion level by defining the main points of the law.Land Economics/Use,

TWENTY-FOUR YEARS OF FARMLAND PRESERVATION IN MICHIGAN, PA 116

Michigan, similar to other states in the Great Lakes and Midwest area, entered the farmland preservation arena in the early 1970's in response to a growing concern over the conversion of farmland to non-agricultural uses. Reports indicated that farmland acreage in Michigan was being converted to non-agricultural uses at a rate of 300 acres per day and 30,000 lots per year were created between 1940-1970. A Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission in 1970 provided evidence that the loss of farmland in the state was an emerging state policy concern and made several recommendations which ultimately lead to "Farmland and Open Space Preservation Act," Public Act 116, 1974, hereafter referred to as the P.A. 116 Program. The purpose of the Program was to slow the conversion of farmland to non-farm uses while at the same time provide property tax relief to farmland owners because farmers claimed that high property taxes were forcing them to sell land for development. Payments from the State were made in exchange for development rights for an agreed upon period

A STUDY OF THE LIVESTOCK MANURE ISSUE AS IT RELATES TO THE MICHIGAN SWINE INDUSTRY

As the number of animals per farm have increased, the amount of manure on the individual farms has risen accordingly. With this greater volume of manure, there is a greater potential for pollution and a greater need to manage the manure in an appropriate manner. This increased amount of manure with an increased rural population has resulted in an escalating number of conflicts between livestock producers and their neighbors. In attempts to resolve these conflicts, the need for generally accepted waste management practices has been revealed. The intent of this study is to describe, assess, and analyze livestock manure management issues with specific analytic attention addressed to the swine enterprise. Swine was selected because of its economic importance to the Michigan economy and recent litigation challenging the manure management practice of individual swine producers

A STUDY OF THE LIVESTOCK MANURE ISSUE AS IT RELATES TO THE MICHIGAN SWINE INDUSTRY

As the number of animals per farm have increased, the amount of manure on the individual farms has risen accordingly. With this greater volume of manure, there is a greater potential for pollution and a greater need to manage the manure in an appropriate manner. This increased amount of manure with an increased rural population has resulted in an escalating number of conflicts between livestock producers and their neighbors. In attempts to resolve these conflicts, the need for generally accepted waste management practices has been revealed. The intent of this study is to describe, assess, and analyze livestock manure management issues with specific analytic attention addressed to the swine enterprise. Swine was selected because of its economic importance to the Michigan economy and recent litigation challenging the manure management practice of individual swine producers.Livestock Production/Industries,

THE LAND DIVISION AMENDMENTS TO THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL ACT

On January 21, 1997, Governor Engler signed into law 1996 P.A. 591, the Land Division Act. This Act replaced the Subdivision Control Act after 30 years and changed the rules on how land is divided in Michigan. 1997 P.A. 87, effective July 28, 1997, amended the recently created 1996 Land Division Act. While some hailed these as positive changes allowing improved land use, others strongly disagree. This paper is an attempt to alleviate the frustration by providing a history of land division legislation in Michigan because past laws creates an assumed set of rights which are not easily changes. The second focus of the paper is to lessen the confusion level by defining the main points of the law