BLAINE COUNTY OFFICE OF REGIONAL PLANNING Levy Advisory Board

ENVIRONMENTAL AND RECREATIONAL VALUES IN AGRICULTURAL LANDS A significant amount of wildlife habitat is protected on the ranches and farms in the south county. The farmers and ranchers are aware of the unique environment they live in, and they often work consciously to preserve and enhance the streams and associated habitats found on their properties. Eight (8) major land owners along Silver Creek have worked cooperatively with The Nature Conservancy through conservation easements and management agreements to protect, in perpetuity, over twenty-two (22) miles of stream and five thousand (5,000) acres in this unique high desert spring creek system. Many spring creeks like Silver Creek in the western United States have been lost to development and massive diversion projects. This cooperative work between farmers, ranchers, and The Nature Conservancy is a model for how these groups can work together to protect watersheds. If incentives are in place to continue farming and ranching rather than incentives for development, the success of wildlife and land conservation on farms and ranches will continue. Excessive development on the ranches and farms could degrade a significant portion of the natural values currently preserved in this area.

Levy Advisory Board 7.Evaluate off-site density transfer and development rights transfer (See Land Use section, Voluntary and Regulatory Land Protection Techniques) as ways to preserve agricultural lands and discourage residential development in agricultural areas.

Levy Advisory Board 1. Establish a coordinated plan for the physical expansion and/or location of infrastructure facilities. See Government Agencies Affecting Blaine County section. 2. Encourage urban and urban-type development within incorporated cities or in established unincorporated communities. See Road System section. SECTION 9. LAND USE: INTRODUCTION 5. Protect the natural environment and scenic qualities in Blaine County. See Aesthetic Values and Natural Resource sections 7. Protect critical big game winter range areas and migration corridors, as adopted by the Idaho Fish and Game department. See Natural Resources section. 8. Ensure that the recreation, parks, and opens space needs of county residents and visitors are met. See Recreation section. 13. Protect the agricultural purpose of agricultural lands. See Agricultural section.

Levy Advisory Board VOLUNTARY LAND PROTECTION TECHNIQUES A variety of voluntary techniques are available for working with property owners. These agreements can be implemented by nonprofit organizations, such as a land trust or conservancy, or a local government. The voluntary techniques range from the legally binding to "handshake" agreements and include, but are not limited to, the following seven (7) types of initiatives. 5. Purchase of Development Rights A property owner typically holds a "fee simple" interest in the land. This interest is like a bundle of sticks, each of which represents a right associated with the property. These rights can be separated from the "dominant estate" and transferred to other parties as "less-than-fee interests". Less-than-fee interests are commonly attained by public and private organizations. For example, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will commonly purchase wildlife easements to protect a critical winter range. In these ways, land is protected, but the public bears no cost of maintenance, and the land remains on the tax rolls and in productive use. 6. Acquisition of Undivided Interests The acquisition of an undivided interest in a property, or a percentage of ownership, gives an organization a legal interest in it, as opposed to sole ownership. By acquiring an undivided interest, an organization may use its influence as a co-owner to insure that a property is managed properly, sold to a sympathetic buyer, or otherwise restricted to protect the resource. 7. Outright Acquisition of Property In some cases, property deserving protection should be acquired outright. Some communities need additional parkland for public recreation; in other instances, a property may be of such outstanding ecological or historical importance that it can be adequately protected only through public ownership "in fee simple". To guarantee the opportunity to purchase these important properties a right of first refusal or similar strategies are often used.

Levy Advisory Board SECTION 10. NATURAL RESOURCES: PURPOSE The topographic, geographic location, seasonal variation in climate, and distribution of water in Blaine County create a unique and varied natural environment which ranges from the scenic high alpine country in the northern portions of the county to the desolate lava plains and desert mountains in the southern portions of the county. As a recreational area, the county is known throughout the United States and the world for the quality and variety of the natural environment and recreational opportunities. Consider a few of the following examples of the county's unique offerings: Blaine County desires: 1. To protect and enhance existing natural resources in Blaine County. 2. To preserve and protect the scenic and aesthetic values of Blaine County. 3. To protect the public health and general welfare, and to minimize property loss and public expenditure from flooding, avalanche, pollution, and natural hazards. 4. To support projects that protect or enhance the natural resources of the county

Residentially Zoned Lands: approximately 14,500 acres Growth: Residentially Zoned Lands to 1970

Growth: 1980 to 1990 Residentially Zoned Lands: approximately 14,500 acres approximately 8,500 acres platted 60% platted

Trends show that Residentially zoned lands will be fully platted by 2040 Growth: Today & Proposed Areas of City Impact

Growth & Progress   Ketchum, 3,003 pop.3,833 pop.  Sun Valley, 1,427 pop.2,359 pop.  Hailey, 6,200 pop.15,931 pop.  Bellevue, 1,876 pop.5,832 pop.  Carey,513 pop.1,032 pop.  Uninc. Co.,5,972 pop.9,618 pop.  Blaine Co.,18,991 pop.38,604 pop. 10,000 by 2025

4 Scenarios built with cooperation of Clarion & Associates Over 40 Public Meetings Idaho Smart Growth Award for Community Outreach 2025 Scenario Building: Outreach & Visioning

Cut developable density by approximately half Targeted growth to existing infrastructure 14 ordinances passed Instituted the Office of Regional Planning Before & After

TDR Sending Area: Silver Creek TDR Receiving Area: Provisional TDR Program: Sending: 1/40 acres or 1/20 Receiving: at least 10 Acres, 1/2.5 TDR Program Established

TDR Sending protects Wetlands, Silver Creek and other Spring-fed Creeks Tourism industry Environment & Economics

Land, Water & Wildlife Focused Growth Revisions to all sensitive land areas of code Revisions to Cluster Development Ordinance Revisions to Planned Unit Development Ordinance No PUDs in Rural Residential zones Major Over-haul to Wildlife Chapter: Classified Lands Wildlife Survey & Habitat Assessment Conservation Plan Design Standards Codifying IDF&G Passage of Prop 1

Instituted Regional Planning Regional Economic analysis: Sustain Blaine Areas of City Impact Negotiations: Intergovernmental Cooperation Growth Workshops & CountyWide GIS Blaine 2025: not just a vision…a process