GOUVERNEUR — The St. Lawrence County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board is hosting a Smart Solar Siting Forum sponsored by American Farmland Trust on Thursday, Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Gouverneur Community Center, located at 4673 State Highway 58.

Presenters include staff from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Cornell University, and the St. Lawrence County Planning Office who will discuss how local solar regulations can be written to minimize the displacement of valuable farmland.

“Our office has been working with local towns on drafting solar regulations to help minimize the displacement of prime farmland,” said Matilda Larson, county planner.

Larson said her presentation would include visual examples of these regulations.

Larson also explained local governments are looking to execute PILOTs in exchange for hosting large arrays so that communities receive some local benefit.

After the forum, a technical assistance team from NYSERDA will deliver a follow-up presentation on Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs) that can be negotiated between local governments and solar developers.

Municipal planning boards and zoning boards of appeals members, code enforcement officers and elected officials are encouraged to attend.

The forum is free and includes lunch, but seating is limited and registration by Nov. 9 is required. Persons interested in attending can register online at www.farmland.org/farmlandforum .