From Farmland To Freeways

Author : Robert Howard Schmidt
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 142 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (185 download)

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Download or read book The Impact of Limited-access Highways on Agricultural Land written by Robert Howard Schmidt and published by . This book was released on 1964 with total page 142 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study examines the impact of the recently constructed limited- access highway, Interstate 5, on agricultural land in Linn County, Oregon. More specifically it scrutinizes the quality and quantity of the land relinquished to the highway right -of -way; the effects on field boundaries, connectivity, mobility, drainage, land use, miscellaneous factors, and the attitudes of the farm operators in respect to the highway right -of -way taking. The analysis reveals that the right -of -way taking for Interstate 5 has made definite inroads on agricultural land, deleting an average of 39 acres of productive farm land per mile, and at the same time leaving 80 percent of the farms parcelled. The right -of -way taking for Interstate 5 had a greater impact on the operation of the average farm than indicated by the actual diminution of productive land. Drainage, connectivity, deformation in size and shape of fields, and unsatisfactory negotiations with the Highway Department were common complaints voiced by the farm operators. Changes in land use and land value were not advantageous, for the most part, to the farm operator. The large majority of the farm operators in Linn County stated that, ''they would gladly take back their original set -up (previous to the right -of -way taking) anytime ". On the basis of research findings the author concludes that the benefits for agriculture in the study area are minor in comparison with the detrimental influences brought about by Interstate 5. In view of the estimate that 80 percent of the mileage of the proposed 41, 000 mile National Interstate Highway system will traverse rural lands, and by the fact that the development of limited - access highways of today have had a multitude of effects on agricultural land and farming operations several recommendations are made. It is suggested that: 1) Consideration should be given to the soil quality and capability in planning the alignment of highways; 2) Personable and experienced personnel should be employed by the highway department for appraising and negotiation with farm operators; and 3) that farm operators should avail themselves of opportunities to ascertain knowledge of the ramifications brought about by the highway project.