JAMESTOWN — Effective Sept. 17, 2003, Agriculture and Markets Law  303-b was enacted to provide for the designation of an annual 30-day period during which landowners may submit requests for inclusion of predominantly viable agricultural land within an existing certified agricultural district.

The Chautauqua County Legislature has designated their 30-day annual review period beginning Jan. 2 through Jan. 31. During this period, landowners may submit written requests for inclusion into the Agricultural District.

Parcels requesting inclusion must meet the definition of “viable agricultural land” as defined in Agriculture and Markets Law 301, subdivision 7. Lands already included in the district need not submit a request.

Parcel owners must complete the Agricultural District Inclusion Worksheet, which must include a written description of the land, the tax map identification number, and be accompanied by a copy of the relevant portion of a tax map depicting the location of the property you would like included into the Agricultural District. This form can be found on the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board’s web page on the Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Economic Development’s website at www.planningchautauqua.com, or by contacting Nathan Aldrich at 661-8912 or aldrichn@co.chautauqua .ny.us.

Please submit all inclusion requests to the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board, c/o Nathan Aldrich, Chautauqua County Dept. of Planning, 201 W. Third St., Suite 115, Jamestown, NY, 14701 on or before 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 31.