Land protection program suffers big funding cut

Nothing breeds success like success, except when it comes to a Fauquier program that pays farmers not to develop their land.
In 2008, the county’s purchase of development rights (PDR) program had its best year, permanently protecting 1,396 acres of rural land.
That total surpassed the previous high of 1,326 acres in 2006.
In establishing the new record, Fauquier last year acquired 77 potential home lots from landowners, who received $30,000 per lot.
Despite the strong landowner interest in the program, the county board of supervisors decided in November to cut the program’s funding in half for fiscal 2010, which begins in July.

For the complete story, read the Jan. 7 Fauquier Times-Democrat