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COSAC schedules site visit for Silva application and reviews De Silva first‑round maps
Summary
Committee discussed two first‑round applications: staff and the applicant described the De Silva parcels (approx. 155 acres inside Trenton) and Mr. Silva presented his desire to preserve his farmland; COSAC agreed to schedule a site visit for the Silva property and requested additional maps and analysis before the next meeting.
At the Oct. 7 meeting the Cache County Open Space Advisory Committee reviewed two first‑round applications and agreed to follow up with a site visit and further mapping.
Staff presented the De Silva first‑round application: four parcels totaling about 155 acres inside Trenton town boundaries, largely classified as prime irrigated farmland in county GIS. Staff said they have not yet been able to contact Trenton and recommended doing so before the next meeting. Committee members asked that staff confirm Trenton’s position and provide acreage labels on maps and clarified that the first‑round process typically proceeds to a site visit and scoring before a second‑round request is considered.
Applicant remarks and Silva site visit: Mister Silva addressed the committee, saying he does not want his land subdivided and would prefer to preserve it as a farm. Staff and committee members noted the parcel’s strong soil quality and recent pivot irrigation investment; Jeremy Christianson (UDAF) confirmed NRCS interest and said the property appears eligible for the NRCS ASAP program (which can cover about 50% of easement value for eligible sites). Committee members requested a site visit and staff said they will coordinate times and provide more detailed maps and analysis for the next monthly meeting.
Why it matters: both applications illustrate the program’s interest in protecting active agricultural lands in Cache Valley and identify potential trail and easement connectivity in future projects. Committee members discussed program tools to incentivize smaller or privately supported easements—for example, county administration funding or modest county contributions to make conservation easements feasible for owners who would otherwise donate value.
What’s next: staff will schedule the Silva site visit, arrange follow‑up meetings, and return with updated maps and financial scenarios; staff also will reach out to Trenton concerning the De Silva application.
