To avoid double counting acres where multiple programs contributed to the acquisition of a single parcel, the parcel acreage is only aggregated under the program that provided the majority of funding. For example, if the chart displays a dollar amount greater than $0, but also shows 0 acres, it is because the program was not the primary contributor for any parcels in that year.
Local data coming soon.
The Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Program was formed in July 1991. There are two primary components to the program. First, landowners may create an Agricultural Preservation District, which contains at least 200 contiguous acres devoted to agricultural and related uses. Parcels smaller than 200 usable (and contiguous) acres within three miles of an established district can be enrolled into the program as a district expansion.
Landowners who place their lands into Agricultural Preservation Districts agree to not develop their lands for at least 10 years, devoting the land only to agriculture and related uses. In return, the owners receive tax benefits, right-to-farm protection, and an opportunity to sell an easement to the state that keeps the land free from development permanently.
Initial state funding for the program came from the 21st Century Fund settlement and has been followed by the state realty transfer tax. The fund was created in 1995 from proceeds of a court case between Delaware and New York. The settlement allocated almost $160 million to land use related programs, which was expended between fiscal years 1996 and 1999. The fund provided $40 million for open space acquisition, $40 million for preservation of agricultural lands through purchase of development rights, and $15 million for a state parks endowment.
As of 2006, the program receives $10 million annually in dedicated funds from a state realty transfer tax.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3,898.6 | $9,016,746 |
| 2004 | 3,101.6 | $4,492,906 |
| 2003 | 2,773.1 | $4,090,213 |
| 2002 | 8,990.2 | $8,298,934 |
| 2001 | 14,129.6 | $13,716,202 |
| 2000 | 4,486.4 | $4,522,840 |
| 1999 | 12,444.3 | $14,043,502 |
| 1998 | 585.2 | $340,966 |
| Total | 50,408.9 | $58,522,313 |
The Delaware Forestland Preservation Program became law in June 2005. The program protects forestlands through perpetual conservation easements. The program currently receives a $1 million annually appropriation.
In 1990 the Delaware Land Protection Act established an Open Space Program. The Open Space Program protects designated State Resource Areas, including parks, fish and wildlife areas, forests, nature preserves and cultural sites.
The program is funded through the Delaware Land and Water Conservation Trust Fund established in June 1986. At the end of each fiscal year $10 million from the state’s realty transfer tax are transferred into the fund. Of this total, $9 million goes to the Land & Water Conservation Trust Fund Project Account (this is for the Open Space Program). In 1998, the General Assembly raised the Trust Fund cap to $60 million and amended the Realty Transfer Tax Act to its current formula.
The Delaware Land & Water Conservation Trust Fund is a series of accounts. Funds are used to acquire or manage public outdoor recreation and conservation lands. The accounts are as follows:
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 894.0 | $8,369,049 |
| 2004 | 967.0 | $2,807,574 |
| 2003 | 956.0 | $8,256,865 |
| 2002 | 2,473.0 | $19,319,877 |
| 2001 | 789.0 | $6,746,500 |
| 2000 | 17,166.0 | $51,246,541 |
| 1999 | 3,467.0 | $18,480,170 |
| 1998 | 3,285.0 | $30,625,645 |
| Total | 29,997.0 | $145,852,221 |