Implementing Agricultural
Performance Standards and Prohibitions

County Questionnaire Results
July 2003

Component 5: Prepare Report and Notify landowners of Compliance Status

Twenty-four counties (39%) said they would prepare and issue NR 151 status reports for landowners for whom they have completed evaluations, 7 (11%) said "No", and 30 (48%) were unsure. Most of the counties who answered "No" or "Unsure" raised procedural and workload issues as the major reasons for their answers. The second most frequently cited reason was the counties' unwillingness to assume an enforcement role, either partially or entirely.

Twenty-six counties (42%) said they would keep and maintain evaluation and compliance information as public record, 3 (5%) said "No", and 32 (52%) were unsure. When those who answered "Yes" were asked to propose how subsequent landowners be provided this information or made aware that such information exists and is available, most said they would either inform subsequent landowners directly or utilize an outreach method. A few said they would provide the information upon request.

Those same respondents were also asked their opinions on the effect of disclosure laws on their ability to provide this type of information. Most counties who responded did not think there would be a problem, a few said there would be problems and some still needed to check with their corporation counsels. (Note: The federal policy on protecting information collected from landowners, in order to determine compliance with federal farm programs, had not been widely discussed with counties at the time this survey was completed.)

When counties who responded "No" or "Unsure" were asked why, most of the responses indicated that many decisions still needed to be determined and details worked out. One respondent said it may be able to flag transfers, another said it would use periodic newspaper articles and county-wide newsletter articles, but is open to other suggestions.

The following links provide more detailed information on each component

• Component 1: Plan the Implementation Approach
• Component 2: Define Level of Agencies' Commitment to NR 151 Workload
• Component 3: Conduct Information and Education (I&E) Activities
• Component 4: Determine Current Compliance
• Component 5: Prepare Report and Notify landowners of Compliance Status
• Component 6: Secure Funding and Technical Assistance/Issue NR 151 Notice
• Component 7: Administer Funding and Technical Assistance / Re-evaluate Parcel
• Component 8: Enforcement
• Component 9: Ongoing Compliance Monitoring
• Component 10: Annual Reporting
• Additional Questionnaire Information
• County Survey Home