Agricultural Resource Lands Study The Washington State Growth Management Act requires counties to designate Agricultural Resource Lands (ARL) which “have long-term significance for the commercial production of food or other agricultural products”. To meet state requirements, Pierce County has established these criteria for ARL parcels:

• Five acres or greater
• Contain at least 50% “prime farmland” soils
• Grass/legume production yield of 3.5 tons per acre or greater
• 50% of abutting parcels are larger than 1 acre
• Landowner may request the designation

For 2016, the Pierce County Council authorized funding a study of agriculture and ARL “conducting an evaluation and providing a report on agricultural land in Pierce County that has long-term significance for the commercial production of food or other agricultural products.”