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reduced; however, its location will be changed. The county will still have residential capacity to accommodate projected demand far beyond the planning horizon (2010). The DCA's position was that all active agricultural lands must be excluded from the USA; that included areas north of Gifford and areas in the south portion of the county as far east as 20th Avenue. DCA recommended density reduction in these areas. Since these agricultural lands have access to urban services and are in close proximity to existing development, the county opted not to exclude them from the USA. Further density reduction within the urban service area is an alternative to the proposed remedial action amendments, but such action would reduce the county's capability to provide for various housing types and to provide for the construction of affordable housing. Reduction of density in the agricultural areas will provide for additional protection of agricultural lands. This action combined with the requirement that all residential development in agricultural areas be clustered will constrain development of large lot development projects. While somewhat limiting choice of housing type, these actions will reduce the existing residential development unit over -allocation. Urban Sprawl The proposed amendments will effectively eliminate urban sprawl problems. By constricting the urban service area, these amendments will increase the overall efficiency for provision of facilities and services. Provision of services in a compact area is more economically feasible than extending those services over a large area. Elimination of urban sprawl will also increase the opportunity for protection of agricultural lands. Both the increased efficiency of facility and service provision and the additional protection of agricultural lands -are positive factors associated with the elimination of urban sprawl. One of the most important requirements established as part of the proposed remedial actions to eliminate urban sprawl and provide a clear separation of urban and rural land uses is the requirement to cluster residential development in the agricultural area. The alternative is to use the traditional land use and zoning regulations and to reduce.agricultural densities even lower. Protection of Upland Plant Community and Agricultural Lands The remedial action amendments relating to upland preservation involve acquisition of conservation easements and/or fee simple purchase of native upland areas and the requirement for a specific site design for environmentally sensitive and important lands to minimize impacts upon endangered and threatened plants and animals. The county proposes to acquire more environmentally sensitive and important lands, actions which would have a direct and indirect effect on the quality of life. This amendment will give the county the ability to protect upland communities by acquisition as well as through developer exactions. Objective groups 5 and 6 of the Conservation Element will support additional preservation of environmental lands. The principal disadvantage of this proposed remedial action amendment is the cost to the county to finance additional land acquisition. Agriculture has played a major role in development of the county and is one of the county's major industries. Preservation of agricultural lands from encroachment of non-agricultural activities is important. Requirements such as clustering of non-agricultural activities and approval of non-agricultural development through the Planned Development- (PD) process will maximize the preservation of agricultural lands. The major disadvantage is that this 47 DEC I 11990 `