Laserfiche WebLink
Table 3. Project Size Scoring <br />LCC Class I or II soils <br />LCC Class III soils <br />LCC Class IV or lower <br />Acres <br />Score <br />Acres <br />Score <br />Acres <br />Score <br />80 or above <br />100 <br />160 or above <br />100 <br />320 or above <br />100 <br />60 -79 <br />90 <br />120 -159 <br />90 <br />240 -319 <br />80 <br />40 -59 <br />80 <br />80 -119 <br />80 <br />160 -239 <br />60 <br />20 -39 <br />50 <br />60 -79 <br />70 <br />100 -159 <br />40 <br />10 -19 <br />30 <br />40 -59 <br />60 <br />40 -99 <br />20 <br />fewer than 10 <br />0 <br />20 -39 <br />30 <br />fewer than 40 <br />0 <br />10 -19 <br />10 <br />fewer than 10 <br />0 <br />Explanation of the Project Size Factor <br />The Project Size factor in the California Agricultural LESA Model was developed in <br />cooperation with Nichols- Berman, a consulting firm under contract with the Department of <br />Conservation. A thorough discussion of the development of this rating is presented by <br />Nichols- Berman in a report to the Department entitled, Statewide LESA Methodologies <br />Report - Project Size and Water Resource Availability Factors (3). <br />The inclusion of the measure of a project's size in the California Agricultural LESA <br />Models is a recognition of the role that farm size plays in the viability of commercial <br />agricultural operations. In general, larger farming operations can provide greater flexibility <br />in farm management and marketing decisions. Certain economies of scale for equipment <br />and infrastructure can also be more favorable for larger operations. In addition, larger <br />operations tend to have greater impacts upon the local economy through direct <br />employment, as well as impacts upon support industries (e.g., fertilizers, farm equipment, <br />and shipping) and food processing industries. <br />While the size of a given farming operation may in many cases serve as a direct <br />indicator of the overall economic viability of the operation, The California Agricultural LESA <br />Model does not specifically consider the issue of economic viability. The variables of <br />economic viability for a specific farm include such factors as the financial management and <br />farming skills of the operator, as well as the debt load and interest rates being paid by an <br />individual operator, which are issues that cannot readily be included in a statewide LESA <br />model. <br />14 <br />