Agricultural Resources
RECON provides environmental analysis and permitting support for projects with potential impacts to agricultural resources. Our experience includes preparing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) Model and local agricultural resource assessments, including the County of San Diego’s LESA Model. We understand agricultural practices, operations, and land use compatibility issues and help clients identify practical measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate potential impacts to agricultural resources.
RECON also supports environmental analysis for projects that propose new or expanded agricultural operations. Our team works closely with local jurisdictions, agricultural stakeholders, and project proponents to evaluate agricultural land use considerations and develop approaches that support regulatory compliance and project objectives.
Our agricultural resource experience includes preparing the Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the County of San Diego’s Tiered Winery Ordinance Amendment, which received the San Diego Chapter of the Association of Environmental Professionals’ Outstanding Environmental Analysis Document of the Year award. RECON also prepared an EIR for the County of Santa Barbara’s Land Use and Development Code amendments addressing permitting requirements for hoop structures and shade structures on agriculturally zoned lands.
Services
Agricultural Technical Studies
Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) Model
County Local Agricultural Resource Assessment (LARA) Model
Agricultural Policy Analysis
Featured Projects
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RECON prepared an agriculture technical analysis for the construction of a wine tasting facility complete with a full commercial kitchen and an event center, along with associated parking lots, outdoor areas, fire water storage and storm water infiltration facilities. The project, located in the San Pasqual Valley, would impact some active agricultural lands and important soil types, although the project would overall be supportive of the on-site agricultural uses. RECON completed the County’s Local Agricultural Resources Assessment (LARA) Model to determine the significance of agricultural resources on-site. The site was additionally constrained by a Williamson Act Contract and Agricultural Preserve which required additional coordination with County staff to ensure consistency of the proposed use. The project is located north of San Pasqual Valley Road in the North County Metro Subregional Plan area, within unincorporated San Diego County.
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RECON prepared an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to amend Santa Barbara County's Land Use Development Code to revise and clarify the permitting requirements for hoop structures and shade structures on agriculturally zoned lands in the inland unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County. The primary objective of the project was to simplify and streamline the permitting process for hoop structures and shade structures to allow farmers more flexibility and efficient agricultural operations in support of the County's agricultural economy. The analysis included consideration of potential growth of hoop and shade structures, including growth resulting from the expansion of cannabis production associated with the County's Cannabis Land Use Ordinance Amendments and Licensing Program, as cannabis is commonly grown in hoop structures in Santa Barbara County. Key issues addressed in the EIR include evaluation of potential aesthetic impacts of hoop and shade structure expansion, land use compatibility with surrounding non-agricultural land uses, and potential biological resource impacts associated with California.
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