[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Colden
as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 6-12-2008 by L.L. No. 1-2008[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: The provisions of this local law were
originally adopted as Ch. 90 but were renumbered in order to maintain
the alphabetical sequence of the Code.
A.
AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
FARM
FARMER
GENERALLY ACCEPTED AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
All activities conducted by a farmer on a farm to produce
agricultural products and which are inherent and necessary to the
operation of a farm and the on-farm production, processing, and marketing
of agricultural products, including, but not limited to, the collection,
transportation, distribution, storage, and land application of animal
wastes; storage, transportation, and use of equipment for tillage,
planting, harvesting, irrigation, fertilization, and pesticide application;
storage and use of legally permitted fertilizers, limes, and pesticides,
all in accordance with local, state and federal law and regulations
and in accordance with manufacturers' instructions and warnings;
storage, use, and application of animal feed and foodstuffs; construction
and use of farm structures and facilities for the storage of animal
wastes, farm equipment, pesticides, fertilizers, agricultural products,
and livestock, for the sale of agricultural products, and for the
use of farm labor, as permitted by local and state building codes
and regulations; including the construction and maintenance of fences.
Those products as defined in § 301(2) of Article
25-AA of the Agriculture and Markets Law.
The land, buildings, farm residential buildings, and machinery
used in the production, whether for profit or otherwise, of agricultural
products.
Any person, organization, entity, association, partnership,
or corporation engaged in the business of agriculture, for profit
or otherwise, including the cultivation of land, the raising of crops,
or the raising of livestock, poultry, fur-bearing animals, or fish,
the harvesting of timber or the practicing of horticulture or apiculture.
Those practices which are feasible, lawful, inherent, customary, necessary, reasonable, normal, safe, and typical to the industry or unique to the commodity as they pertain to the practices listed in § 46-1A under the definition of "agricultural practices."
B.
Unless specifically defined above, words or phrases used in this
article shall be interpreted so as to give them meanings they have
in common usage and to give this article its most reasonable application.
A.
Farmers, as well as those employed, retained, or otherwise authorized
to act on behalf of farmers, may lawfully engage in agricultural practices
within the Town of Colden at all such times and in all such locations
as are reasonably necessary to conduct the business of agriculture.
For any agricultural practice, in determining the reasonableness of
the time, place, and methodology of such practice, due weight and
consideration shall be given to both traditional customs and procedures
in the farming industry as well as to advances resulting from increased
knowledge and improved technologies.
B.
Agricultural practices conducted on farmland shall not be found to
be a public or private nuisance if such agricultural practices are:
(1)
Reasonable and necessary to the particular farm or farm operation;
(2)
Conducted in a manner which is not negligent or reckless;
(3)
Conducted in conformity with generally accepted agricultural practices;
(4)
Conducted in conformity with all local, state and federal laws and
regulations;
(5)
Conducted in a manner which does not constitute a threat to public
health and safety or cause injury to health or safety of any person;
and
(6)
Conducted in a manner which does not unreasonably obstruct the free
passage or use of navigable waters or public roadways.
C.
Nothing in this article shall be construed to prohibit an aggrieved
party from recovering damages for bodily injury or wrongful death.
If any part of this article is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional
or invalid, such decision shall not affect the remainder of this article.
In order to promote harmony between farmers and their new neighbors,
the Town of Colden requires landholders and/or their agents and assigns
to provide notice to prospective purchasers and occupants as follows:
"This property is within the Town of Colden. It is the policy of the
Town to conserve, protect, and encourage the development of farm operations
within its borders for the production of food and other products,
and one should be aware of the inherent potential conditions associated
with such purchases or residence. Such conditions may include, but
are not limited to, noise, odors, fumes, dust, smoke, insects, operation
of machinery during any hour, day or night, storage and disposal of
plant and animal waste products, and the applications of chemical
fertilizers, soil amendments, herbicides, and pesticides by ground
or aerial spraying or other methods. Occupying land within the Town
of Colden means that one should expect and accept such conditions
as a normal and necessary aspect of living in such an area."
Any issue of controversy that arises which cannot be resolved
directly between the parties involved, and is not addressed by other
laws or regulations, may be promptly and inexpensively resolved by
referral to the Town of Colden Environmental Board for open hearing
and recommendations. The Town of Colden Environmental Board will act
as a grievance committee as a whole. Any controversy between the parties
shall be submitted to the Town of Colden Environmental Board within
30 days of the occurrence and shall be placed on the agenda of the
next nearest Town of Colden Environmental Board meeting date.