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1 The County argues the application here was considered as part of the <br /> 2 Comprehensive Plan update along with other applications dealing with agricultural lands. In <br /> 3 addressing the "overall context of the lands relationship to the surrounding land",25 <br /> 4 Intervenor, submitted minutes from a hearing into the record showing there were a number <br /> 5 of parcels considered by the applicant, including a parcel in Hermiston, OR, the Sundance <br /> 6 <br /> 7 area, the Attalia UGA, a parcel called Pasco 12, in Franklin County, and Parcel A. Other <br /> 8 parcels within and around the Attalia UGA were discussed in the hearing, considering the <br /> 9 ability to extend rail line to those other parcels, the possible disruption of up to 25 acres of <br /> 10 active farm ground and current irrigation infrastructure as well as extension of other services <br /> 11 like gas and electric.26 <br /> 12 The record contains comments during the update process that the Commissioners <br /> 13 <br /> understood the value of the agricultural economy and the need to review the area-wide <br /> 14 <br /> 15 impact of this action.27 The challenged ordinance includes the following specific findings: <br /> 16 Parcel A will be de-designated as agricultural land of long term commercial <br /> 17 significance, but Parcel B will be designated as Agricultural land of long term <br /> commercial significance. As noted above, Parcel B, which is currently not <br /> 18 designated agricultural land, appears to have higher crop yields than Parcel A. <br /> 19 The Board concludes that as Parcel B has equal or higher crop values as <br /> 20 Parcel A, there will be no county-wide impact from the de-designation of <br /> Parcel A. Furthermore, Simplot's intent to build an agricultural processing <br /> 21 facility on Parcel A will, if realized, strengthen the agricultural economy, <br /> 22 allowing farmers in the area to more efficiently market their crops. <br /> 23 "' <br /> 24 The Board finds that the exchange of the two 160-acre parcels will result in an <br /> 25 amount of agricultural lands sufficient to maintain and enhance the viability of <br /> 26 the agricultural industry in the County. There will be no-net loss of farmland, <br /> and it appears that the more productive parcel will be protected as agricultural <br /> 27 land by being designated as PA-40. Since the exchange of parcels will <br /> 28 potentially result in the building of a food processing plant, the exchange will <br /> 29 likely strengthen the agricultural economy in accordance with WAC 365-190- <br /> 30 050(5).28 <br /> 31 25 County's Exhibit 84. <br /> 32 26 County Exhibit 84 <br /> 27 County's brief at 10. <br /> 28 Ordinance, page 6. <br /> FINAL DECISION AND ORDER Growth Management Hearings Board <br /> Case No. 18-1-0001 1111 Israel Road SW,Suite 301 <br /> July 2,2018 P.O. Box 40953 <br /> Page 9 of 17 Olympia,WA 98504-0953 <br /> Phone:360-664-9170 <br /> Fax: 360-586-2253 <br />