LITTLE VALLEY — A 30-day public review for Agricultural District No. 5 in Cattaraugus County runs through July 31.

Required by state law, the county legislature is required to review an agricultural district eight years after its creation and every eight years thereafter. County lawmakers have designated July 1–31.

During these 30 days, any municipality, landowner or state agency whose territory is within the agricultural district may propose a modification. Agricultural District No. 5 encompasses 239,537 acres and is located within every municipality in Cattaraugus County. Landowners may submit requests to add parcels of predominantly viable agricultural land or remove parcels.

The Cattaraugus County Department of Economic Development, Planning and Tourism will accept requests through July 31. Submit all requests to the Department of Economic Development, Planning and Tourism, 303 Court St., Little Valley, NY 14755, or email to csmaxwell@cattco.org on or before Aug. 1st.

The Agricultural District No. 5 review worksheet can be found at www.cattco.gov/ag-review. A map of Agricultural District No. 5 is on file and open to public inspection at the Cattaraugus County Clerk’s Office in Little Valley. Call (716) 938-2293 to schedule an appointment.

A public hearing will be scheduled at a later date to consider all requests and the related recommendations of the Cattaraugus County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board.

The Agricultural Districts Law was created in 1971 to encourage the continued use of farmland for agricultural production. The program is based on a combination of landowner incentives and protections, all of which are designed to forestall the conversion of farmland to non-agricultural uses. Benefits include protections against overly restrictive local laws, government-funded acquisition or construction projects and private nuisance suits involving agricultural practices.

Agricultural operations within the district are the priority land use and are afforded benefits and protections to promote the continuation of farms and the preservation of agricultural land. This should not be confused with the agricultural assessment program, which allows eligible farmland to be taxed at its agricultural assessment. Landowners should see their local assessor to find out more information on agricultural assessment for their parcels.