Whether for agricultural, habitat or conservation, rural home sites, urban development, recreation or open space, the use of land has implications for the viability of rural communities, agricultural operations, and natural habitats, as well as the provision of public services and the creation and maintenance of physical infrastructure. Taken together, these various uses of land determine the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of rural areas and are an important part of achieving similar objectives for the entire region.

Working Group:

• The Land Use Working Group is developing a study paper summarizing current policies that affect rural land use in the Sacramento region and beginning to explore how these policies and development standards encourage or discourage agricultural uses, urbanization, rural home sites, or habitat conservation. Many counties are updating their general plans and new policies being drafted in those processes will be examined in the "innovations" phase of this study. This research study is the subject of a wiki tool available on this website for public comment.

Topics:

• Easements
  Conservation easements on agricultural lands can add a revenue stream that helps improve economic viability.
• Habitat Conservation Plans
  Comprehensive conservation plans show promise of reducing development permitting time and cost and improving resource protection compared to project-by-project review and mitigation.
• Small Communities
  Infrastructure needs and demand for municipal and commercial services can increase pressure for higher levels of growth, sometimes resulting in more housing that is not balanced with local jobs.