[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Monroe
as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
Agriculture plays a significant role in Monroe's heritage and
future. The Town officially recognizes the importance of farming to
its rural quality of life, heritage, public health, scenic vistas,
tax base, open space, wetlands and wildlife, and local economy. This
right to farm article encourages the pursuit of agriculture, promotes
agriculture-based economic opportunities, and protects farmland within
Monroe by allowing agricultural uses and related activities to function
with minimal conflict with abutters and Town agencies.
B.
It is the declared policy of the Town of Monroe to conserve, protect
and encourage the maintenance and improvement of agricultural land
for the production of food and other agricultural products, for its
natural and ecological value and for the activities associated with
agriculture. It is hereby further determined that whatever impact
may be caused to others through generally accepted agricultural practices,
such impact is offset and ameliorated by the benefits of farming to
the neighborhood, community and society in general.
The terms "agriculture" and "farming" shall have all those meanings
set forth in § l-l(q) of the Connecticut General Statutes,
as amended.
A.
No present or future agricultural operation conducted or maintained
in a manner consistent with accepted agricultural practices, which
is engaged in the act of farming as defined in this article shall
become or be considered a nuisance solely because such activity resulted
or results in any changed condition of the use of adjacent land. Agricultural
operations may occur any day or night, provided such activities do
not violate applicable health, safety, fire, zoning, wetlands, life
safety, environmental or building codes and regulations and shall
include, without limitation:
(1)
The incidental noise from livestock or farm equipment used in generally
acceptable farming practices;
(2)
Odors from livestock, manure, fertilizer or feed;
(3)
Dust and fumes associated with normally accepted farming practices;
(4)
The use of agricultural chemicals, provided such chemicals and the
method of their application conform to practices approved by the State
of Connecticut; and
(5)
Irrigation and water management associated with generally accepted
farming practices.
B.
These provisions shall not apply whenever a nuisance results from
the negligent or improper operation of any such agricultural operation.
C.
Inspection and approval of the agricultural or farming operation,
place, establishment or facility by the Commission of Agriculture
or his/her designee shall be prima facie evidence that such operations
follow generally accepted agricultural practices. Nothing contained
in this article shall restrict the powers of the Monroe Inland Wetlands
Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission or Building or Health Departments
under Connecticut General Statutes.
