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Conversion of Natural Resource Lands To Urban Lands, Farmsteads, and Rural Transportation Lands Findings

State of Oregon
1997 National Resources Inventory Results
(Revised December 2000)
 

See Conversion of Lands Topic List for detailed results.
 

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Background

Natural resource lands include cultivated cropland, non-cultivated cropland, pastureland, rangeland, and forestland.

The NRI definition for Urban and built-up areas is a land cover/use category consisting of residential, industrial, commercial, and institutional land; construction sites; public administrative sites; railroad yards; cemeteries; airports; golf courses; sanitary landfills; sewage treatment plants; water control structures and spillways; other land used for such purposes; small parks (less than 10 acres) within urban and built-up areas; and highways, railroads, and other transportation facilities if they are surrounded by urban areas. Also included are tracts of less than 10 acres that do not meet the above definition but are completely surrounded by Urban and built-up land. Two size categories are recognized in the NRI: areas of 0.25 acre to 10 acres, and areas of at least 10 acres.

To qualify as built-up, strip development must meet the following qualifications:

Type - Count (include) residences, gas stations, and stores. Do not include the land occupied by sheds and garages associated with residences unless the required density of structures is satisfied by the density of the residences alone. Do not count the areas classified as farmsteads and ranch headquarters. Isolated rural residences or dwellings are part of the rural land base and are not classified as built-up unless they can be joined with others to meet the minimum density.
 
Density - There must be at least five structures per 1/2 mile (2,640 feet) along one side of a road or five structures per 1/4 mile (1,320 feet) along both sides of a road. The continuous segment of road may be curved or may turn at an intersection; the road may be of any type and surface. When applying the density rule, the area of a single residence must contain at least 0.25 acre to be included in the area delineated as built-up land.
 
Boundary - If the proper types of structures meet the minimum density, use discernible features or distinct changes in cover or use to define boundaries of the built-up area.

It is important to understand that the NRI Land Cover/Use classifications are based on current land conditions, not on zoning classification. For example, an orchard inside an Urban Growth Boundary or Rural Residential Zone would be classified as non-cultivated cropland by NRI. If this land was later developed into a housing subdivision, it would be considered converted from cropland to urban land.

Farmstead housing, barns, corrals, and other outbuildings are placed in a separate NRI category. They are not included in estimates for urban lands or natural resource lands, such as cropland.

Classifications based on current vegetative cover and land use are necessary to provide estimates of total non-federal cropland, pastureland, rangeland and forestland in Oregon. Current land cover/use is also used to monitor soil loss rates, water quality parameters, and other natural resource conditions.

 

Conversion of Natural Resource Lands to Urban Lands

Urban lands grew in Oregon from an estimated 585,200 acres in 1982 to 845,300 acres in 1997. This growth primarily came from the conversion of natural resource lands. This is a 44% increase in urban lands. 

Adobe Acrobat DocumentChart for Acreage Estimates of Urban Lands 1982 to 1997 (22 KB)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentTable for Acreage Estimates of Urban Lands 1982 to 1997 (13 KB)

  • Text Version of Acreage Estimates of Urban Lands 1982 to 1997.
  • Details for Acreage Estimates of Urban Lands 1982 to 1997.
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    From 1982 to 1997, conversion of natural resource lands to urban lands were estimated at 63,000 acres of cropland, 58,600 acres of pastureland, 22,700 acres of rangeland, and 105,500 acres of forestland. This is an estimated total of 249,800 acres removed from the rural land base for urban uses.

    Adobe Acrobat DocumentChart for Conversion of Resource Lands to Urban Lands 1982 to 1997 (21 KB)
    Adobe Acrobat DocumentTable for Conversion of Resource Lands to Urban Lands 1982 to 1997 (17 KB)

  • Text Version of Conversion of Resource Lands to Urban Lands 1982 to 1997.
  • Details for Conversion of Resource Lands to Urban Lands 1982 to 1997.
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    The rate of conversion increased from an estimated 15,600 acres per year between 1982 and 1992 to 18,900 acres per year from 1992 to 1997. This is an increase of 21%. The rate of increase was highest on pastureland, followed by cropland and then forestland. NRI results indicate a decrease in the average annual rate of conversion of rangelands.
     

    Estimated Annual Rate of Conversion to Urban Lands '1982 to 1992' vs '1992 to 1997' Acres Per Year
    Land Type 1982 to 1992 1992 to 1997 % Change
    Cropland 3,860 4,880 + 26.4%
    Pastureland 3,200 5,320 + 66.3%
    Rangeland 1,700 1,140 - 32.9%
    Forestland 6,790 7,520 + 10.8%
    Total Acres/Year 15,550 18,860 + 21.3%

    Adobe Acrobat DocumentChart for Annual Rates of Resource Lands Converted to Urban (17 KB)
    Adobe Acrobat DocumentTable for Annual Rates of Resource Lands Converted to Urban (18 KB)

  • Text Version of Annual Rates of Resource Lands Converted to Urban.
  • Details for Annual Rates of Resource Lands Converted to Urban.
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    Conversion of Natural Resource Lands to Farmsteads and Ranch Headquarters

    Another reason for the loss of natural resource lands from the productive rural land base is the conversion to farmsteads and ranch headquarters. The NRI does not include farmsteads and ranch headquarters in the estimated acres of cropland, pastureland, rangeland, or forestland.

    The NRI definition of farmsteads and ranch headquarters is a land cover/use category that includes dwellings, outbuildings, barns, pens, corrals and feedlots next to buildings, farmstead or feedlot windbreaks, and family gardens associated with operating farms and ranches. (Commercial feedlots, greenhouses, poultry facilities, overnight pastures for livestock, and field windbreaks are not considered part of farmsteads.)

    NRI data collectors classify rural residences as small urban areas if there is no evidence of agricultural activity (barns, corrals, pastures, etc.) and the previously discussed density requirements are met.  If there is evidence of agricultural activity, rural residences and associated buildings are classified as farmsteads and ranch headquarters. 

    This methodology results in the inclusion of many part-time farms in the farmstead category. The primary purpose of many of these "farmsteads" may be as a rural residence, with the production of agricultural commodities a minor consideration of the owner.

    The Oregon Agricultural Statistics Service defines a farm as "a place that sells or would normally sell $1,000 worth of agricultural products". The 1997 Oregon Census of Agriculture reported that 46% of Oregon farm operators considered farming their principal occupation.

    The NRI estimates of natural resource lands converted to farmsteads are included in the Oregon results to allow the data user full discretion in deciding what to include or exclude in their analysis of conversion of these lands to other uses.

    During the period from 1982 to 1997, an estimated total of 28,800 acres of natural resource lands were converted to farmsteads. This included an estimated 10,700 acres of cropland, 7,700 acres of pastureland, 3,100 acres of rangeland, and 7,300 acres of forestland.

    Adobe Acrobat DocumentChart for Resource Lands Converted to Urban Lands, Farmsteads, and Rural Transportation (21 KB)
    Adobe Acrobat DocumentTable for Resource Lands Converted to Urban Lands, Farmsteads, and Rural Transportation (17 KB)

  • Text Version of Resource Lands Converted to Urban Lands, Farmsteads, and Rural Transportation.
  • Details for Resource Lands Converted to Urban Lands, Farmsteads, and Rural Transportation.
    •

    The rate of conversion increased from an estimated 1,400 acres per year in the 1982 to 1992 period to 2,960 acres per year in the 1992 to 1997 period. This is an increase of over 100%. The rate of increase was highest on rangeland, followed by pastureland, forestland, and cropland, in descending order.
     

    Estimated Annual Rate of Conversion to Farmsteads '1982 to 1992' vs '1992 to 1997' Acres Per Year
    Land Type 1982 to 1992 1992 to 1997 % Change
    Cropland 670 800 + 19.4%
    Pastureland 320 900 + 181.3%
    Rangeland 80 460 + 475.0%
    Forestland 330 800 + 142.4%
    Total Acres/Year 1,400 2,960 + 111.4%

    Adobe Acrobat DocumentChart for Annual Rate of Resource Lands Converted to Farmsteads (17 KB)
    Adobe Acrobat DocumentTable for Annual Rate of Resource Lands Converted to Farmsteads (18 KB)

  • Text Version of Annual Rate of Resource Lands Converted to Farmsteads.
  • Details for Annual Rate of Resource Lands Converted to Farmsteads.
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    Conversion of Natural Resource Lands to Rural Transportation Lands

    Natural resource lands are also taken out of production with the conversion of these lands to permanent transportation facilities such as roads and railroads. A road to a farm or ranch headquarters area is considered a permanent road. Farm lanes are not considered permanent roads.

    During the period from 1982 to 1997, an estimated total of 14,800 acres of natural resource lands were converted to rural transportation facilities. This included an estimated 1,200 acres of cropland, 800 acres of pastureland, 3,500 acres of rangeland, and 9,300 acres of forestland. 
     

    Adobe Acrobat DocumentChart for Resource Lands Converted to Urban Lands, Farmsteads, and Rural Transportation (21 KB)
    Adobe Acrobat DocumentTable for Resource Lands Converted to Urban Lands, Farmsteads, and Rural Transportation (17 KB)

  • Text Version of Resource Lands Converted to Urban Lands, Farmsteads, and Rural Transportation.
  • Details for Resource Lands Converted to Urban Lands, Farmsteads, and Rural Transportation.
    •

    The rate of conversion increased from an estimated 590 acres per year in the 1982 to 1992 period to 1,780 acres per year in the 1992 to 1997 period. This is an increase of 200%. The rate of increase was highest on forestland, followed by pastureland, cropland, and rangeland, in descending order.
     

    Estimated Annual Rate of Conversion to Rural Transportation for '1982 to 1992' compared to '1992 to 1997' by Acres Per Year
    Land Type 1982 to 1992 1992 to 1997 % Change
    Cropland 50 140 + 180.0%
    Pastureland 30 100 + 233.3%
    Rangeland 210 280 + 33.3%
    Forestland 300 1,260 + 320.0%
    Total Acres/Year 590 1,780 + 201.7%

    Adobe Acrobat DocumentChart for Annual Rate of Conversion to Rural Transportation (17 KB)
    Adobe Acrobat DocumentTable for Annual Rate of Conversion to Rural Transportation (20 KB)

  • Text Version of Cropland and Conservation Reserve Program Land.
  • Details for Cropland and Conservation Reserve Program Land.
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    Summary of Oregon Conversion Results

    Major NRI results concerning conversion of natural resource lands to urban lands, farmsteads, and rural transportation lands in Oregon are summarized below. To see charts and detailed tables (including the standard error of the estimates), select the indicated links.
     

    Estimated Acres Converted From 1982 to 1992 (10 years)
    Type of Land Acres Converted to Urban Lands Acres Converted to Farmsteads Acres Converted to Rural Transportation Total Acres Converted
    Cropland 38,600 6,700 500 45,800
    Pastureland 32,000 3,200 300 35,500
    Rangeland 17,000 800 2,100 19,900
    Forestland 67,900 3,300 3,000 74,200
    Total Acres 155,500 14,000 5,900 175,400

    Adobe Acrobat DocumentChart for Resource Lands Converted from 1982 to 1992 (20 KB)
    Adobe Acrobat DocumentTable for Resource Lands Converted from 1982 to 1992 (14 KB)

  • Text Version of Resource Lands Converted from 1982 to 1992.
  • Details for Resource Lands Converted from 1982 to 1992.
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    Estimated Acres Converted From 1992 to 1997 (5 years)
    Type of Land Acres Converted to Urban Lands Acres Converted to Farmsteads Acres Converted to Rural Transportation Total Acres Converted
    Cropland 24,400 4,000 700 29,100
    Pastureland 26,600 4,500 500 31,600
    Rangeland 5,700 2,300 1,400 9,400
    Forestland 37,600 4,000 6,300 47,900
    Total Acres 94,300 14,800 8,900 118,000

    Adobe Acrobat DocumentChart for Resource Lands Converted from 1992 to 1997 (21 KB)
    Adobe Acrobat DocumentTable for Resource Lands Converted from 1992 to 1997 (17 KB)

  • Text Version of Resource Lands Converted from 1992 to 1997.
  • Details for Resource Lands Converted from 1992 to 1997.
    •

     

    Estimated Acres Converted From 1982 to 1997 (15 years)
    Type of Land Acres Converted to Urban Lands Acres Converted to Farmsteads Acres Converted to Rural Transportation Total Acres Converted
    Cropland 63,000 10,700 1,200 74,900
    Pastureland 58,600 7,700 800 67,100
    Rangeland 22,700 3,100 3,500 29,300
    Forestland 105,500 7,300 9,300 122,100
    Total Acres 249,800 28,800 14,800 293,400

    Adobe Acrobat DocumentChart for Resource Lands Converted from 1982 to 1997 (21 KB)
    Adobe Acrobat DocumentTable for Resource Lands Converted from 1982 to 1997 (17 KB)

  • Text Version of Resource Lands Converted from 1982 to 1997.
  • Details for Resource Lands Converted from 1982 to 1997.
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    To see all results, select Geographic Area.

    Send comments and suggestions to the Oregon Resources Inventory Team
    Last Modification: Monday, July 28, 2003

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