New York's Agricultural District Law was enacted and became effective on September 15, 1971. The purpose of the law was ... "to provide a means by which agricultural land may be protected and enhanced as a viable segment of the state's economy and as an economic and environmental resource of major importance, 11 to the state.l Districts created under the provisions of the law are established for a period of eight years. At the end of the eight-year period, districts are reviewed to determine their future status. This report is intended to provide the reader with a summary of: a) the number of districts and the acreage of districts by county created under the provisions of the Agricultural District Law

b) the number and acreage of districts reviewed under the eight-year review provisions of the law. As of May 1982, 448 separate districts in 49 counties comprising 6,698,270 acres were established by county governments or certified by state agencies. Table 1 shows the number and acres of districts originally formed or certified by counties from 1972 until May 1982. Districts range in size from 535 acres (Allegany County) to 243,340 acres (St. Lawrence County). The average size of districts before the review process was initiated was 14,957 acres. Figure 1 shows the annual growth in districts and districted land for the 1971-1982 period. Efforts ·to create districts have moderated since the mid-1970' s when more than 1,000,000 acres were added to the program each year. As the full eight-year term of certain districts has occurred, 39 of New York's participating counties have been notified by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets that some districts within their county are eligible for the eight-year review. Counties are required to review districts and to hold public hearings on each district prior to the eighth anniversary date.