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VOLUNTARY STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

Thurston County Stewardship Plan Checklist

For: ______________ Land Owner

______________ Address

______________ Date

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Introduction This checklist is intended to encourage agricultural producers to undertake voluntary practices to promote agricultural business prosperity while protecting and enhancing critical areas.

Implementing the conservation and protection practices suggested below offers benefits not only for the environment, but also for producers. It gives producers the means to conserve, improve, and increase efficient use of their natural resources. The practices may help support even higher yields and improved produce quality over the long term.

Overview of Stewardship Plan Process The Thurston County Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) is an alternative approach for counties to

protect and voluntarily enhance critical areas while also maintaining and enhancing the long-term

viability of agriculture. Instead of imposing new critical areas regulations for agricultural activities, the

VSP allows agricultural operators to develop voluntary, site-specific Stewardship Plans.

The Stewardship Plan includes the following checklist designed to evaluate agricultural activities as in

relation to the state requirement for counties to designate and protect critical areas. Completing this

process will create an Individual Stewardship Plan that meets the requirements of the VSP under the

Growth Management Act (GMA) (RCW 36.70A.750).

Legislative Intent of VSP (Chapter 360, Laws of 2011)

(2) It is the intent of this act to:

(a) Promote plans to protect and enhance critical areas within the area where agricultural activities are conducted, while maintaining and improving the long-term viability of agriculture in the state of Washington and reducing the conversion of farmland to other uses; (b) Focus and maximize voluntary incentive programs to encourage good riparian and ecosystem stewardship as an alternative to historic approaches used to protect critical areas; (c) Rely upon RCW 36.70A.060 for the protection of critical areas for those counties that do not choose to participate in this program; (d) Leverage existing resources by relying upon existing work and plans in counties and local watersheds, as well as existing state and federal programs to the maximum extent practicable to achieve program goals; (e) Encourage and foster a spirit of cooperation and partnership among county, tribal, environmental, and agricultural interests to better assure the program success; (f) Improve compliance with other laws designed to protect water quality and fish habitat; and (g) Rely upon voluntary stewardship practices as the primary method of protecting critical areas and not require the cessation of agricultural activities. (RCW 36.70A.700).

What are critical areas? The GMA requires counties to designate and protect critical areas which include: 1) fish and wildlife

habitat conservation areas; 2) wetlands, 3) frequently flooded areas, 4) geologically hazardous areas,

and 5) critical aquifer recharge areas used for potable water.

Disclaimer: Every operation is unique and requires a site-specific assessment of: 1) whether there is a need to

implement conservation practices, and 2) whether conservation practices are in fact appropriate to a site. Not

all the information needed to implement these measures is contained in this checklist. Please see technical

assistance providers for more guidance as well as funding opportunities.

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STEP 1: ARE THERE CRITICAL AREAS ON YOUR PROPERTY? 1. Visually survey potential critical areas on or near your property, such as ponds and streams.

2. Use online tools to identify potential critical areas intersecting with agriculture. Maps identifying the general location and distribution of critical areas are available online at http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/planning/vsp/voluntary-stewardship-maps.html, you can also find these maps along with other official County maps, at geodata.org. These maps provide a general idea of where critical areas may exist on your property. A site inspection by the technical assistance provider may be required to verify the actual presence and location of critical areas on your property.

3. From Steps 1 and 2, the following designated critical areas exist on or adjacent to my agricultural activities: (check all that apply)

Geologically hazardous areas

Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas (e.g. streams, wildlife corridors)

Wetlands

Frequently flooded areas

Critical aquifer recharge areas

4. Identify participation in producer programs that address environmental quality (e.g. nutrient management, integrated pest management, spray buffers, etc.).

a. Global Gap [Good Agricultural Practices] □

b. Safe Quality Food Institute □

c. PrimusLabs GAP □

d. USDA Produce GAPs Harmonized Food Safety Standard □ e. Other: ___________________ 5. Remember that all federal and state laws and regulations still apply.

Contact Technical Advisors to advise you or in order to apply for funding to establish conservation practices.

Lead Technical Assistance Provider: Thurston Conservation District http://www.thurstoncd.com/

Supporting Technical Assistance Providers: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/wa/home/

WSU Extension http://ext100.wsu.edu/thurston/agriculture/

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STEP 2. IDEAS FOR CONSERVATION PRACTICES TO IMPROVE AGRICULTURAL VIABILITY AND PROTECT CRITICAL AREAS Geologically Hazardous Areas

Agriculture Intersecting with Geologically Hazardous Areas

Geologically Hazardous Areas: Areas susceptible to erosion, sliding, earthquake, or other geologic events, where development is not suitable due to public health or safety concerns.

Agricultural Viability Objectives Geologically Hazardous Area Objectives

Protect agricultural activities from geologic hazards such as landslides

Avoid increases in erosion and landslides

Specific Actions

Reduce sheet and rill erosion with the implementation of conservation practices

Maintain surface water drainage and avoid siltation of water courses

Specific Actions

Avoid and stabilize steep slopes

Manage risk of landslides

Avoid compaction of soil

Avoid disturbing top and toe of steep slopes and landslide hazard areas

Avoid irrigating unstable slopes

Conservation Practice Examples NRCS # I do this I’m

interested in this

Not Applicable

1) Access Road: Locate and build to control or reduce erosion

560

2) Conservation Cover 327

3) Cover Crop 340

4) Forest stand improvement 666

5) Heavy use area protection to stabilize ground surface

561

6) Mulching to control erosion and conserve soil moisture

484

7) Prescribed grazing to reduce erosion and manage fuel loads

528

8) Tree/shrub establishment for long-term erosion control and water quality improvement

612

9) My ideas to meet the objectives (please explain):

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Source: Thurston Conservation District

Fish and Wildlife Habitat Areas Agriculture Intersecting with Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas

Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas: Areas that serve a critical role in sustaining needed habitats and species for the functional integrity of the ecosystem, and which, if altered, may reduce the likelihood that the species will persist over the long term. Includes:

Rare or vulnerable ecological systems, communities, and habitat or habitat elements including seasonal ranges, breeding habitat, winter range, and movement corridors

Areas with high relative population density or species richness. These also include locally important habitats and species.

Does not include (when no salmonids are present): artificial features such as irrigation infrastructure, irrigation canals, or drainage ditches maintained by port district or an irrigation district company.

Agricultural Viability Objectives Fish and Wildlife Habitat Area Objectives

Promote pest and nutrient management that maximizes agricultural productivity while reducing impacts to critical areas

Protect agricultural production and crops from wildlife and pest damage

Protect fish and wildlife populations and

their associated habitats Promote voluntarily restoration and

enhancement of fish and wildlife populations and their habitat areas

Specific Actions

Implement conservation practices for pest and nutrient management

Implement other fish and wildlife habitat management practices

Specific Actions

Maintain or increase native plant communities in critical areas and associated buffers

Maintain or increase acreage or stream miles of riparian areas protected/enhanced

Maintain or increase acreage of habitat for beneficial wildlife species (i.e. pollinators, raptors, bats, etc.) and habitat for rare species

Track water quality and wildlife habitat in Stewardship Plans (NRCS rating tools)

Access Road Pasture Management

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Conservation Practice Examples NRCS # I do this I’m

interested in this

Not Applicable

Wildlife Habitat

10) Access control to exclude animals, people, vehicles, and/or equipment from an area

472

11) Brush management to manage or remove plants that are invasive or noxious

314

12) Conservation cover to provide permanent vegetative cover

327

13) Forest stand improvement practices that improve wildlife habitat

666

14) Fence: browsing animals management or wildlife movement management

382

15) Hedgerows planting that provide food, cover, and corridors for wildlife or to improve water quality as well as to fence or delineate an area

422

16) Structures for wildlife: raptor and bat nesting box for predator patrol

649

17) Tree/shrub establishment 612

18) Upland wildlife habitat management 645

19) Watering facility for wildlife 614

20) Wildlife and pollinator habitat planting 734

21) Early successional habitat management 647

22) My ideas to meet the objectives: #395/647 ____________________________________ ____________________________________

Conservation Practice Examples NRCS # I do this I’m

interested in this

Not Applicable

Fish Habitat

23) Access control to exclude animals, people, vehicles, and/or equipment from waterbody

472

24) Access road: position away from water bodies and water courses

560

25) Irrigation canal or lateral 320

26) Irrigation system, micro-irrigation 441

27) Irrigation water management 449

28) Prescribed grazing 528

29) Riparian forest buffer 391

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30) Riparian herbaceous cover 390

31) Seasonal high tunnel system for crops and to maintain soil moisture

798

32) Sprinkler system 442

33) Streambank and shoreline management 580

34) Tree/ shrub establishment 612

35) Watering facility for livestock as an alternative to a sensitive resource

614

36) My ideas to meet the objectives: 558/561/554/570/590/595/614 ____________________________________ ____________________________________

Source: Thurston Conservation District

Wetlands Agriculture Intersecting with Wetlands

Wetlands: Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater supporting a prevalence of vegetation adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Includes:

Swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas Does not include: Artificial wetlands intentionally created from non-wetland sites (i.e. irrigation and drainage ditches, grass-lined swales, canals, detention facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, farm ponds, and landscape amenities) unless permitted for wetland mitigation (WAC 365-190-030(22) PCC

Agricultural Viability Objectives Wetland Area Objectives

Promote pest and nutrient management that maximizes agricultural productivity while reducing impacts to critical areas

Protect the functions and values of wetlands by preventing loss of wetlands and maintaining baseline conditions

Where practical, encourage voluntary enhancement or restoration of wetland functions and values

Specific Actions Specific Actions

Watering Facility Riparian Exclusion Fencing

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Implement conservation practices for pest and nutrient management

Allow for flexible riparian area setbacks based on site-specific conditions or utilize a “working buffers” system

Maintain or increase wetland and native plant communities in critical areas and associated buffers

Maintain or increase acreage or stream miles of riparian areas

Maintain or increase miles of fencing for livestock exclusion

Implement conservation practices for wetland and wildlife habitat management, creation, or enhancement

Track wetland rating (WDFW system), water quality and wildlife habitat in Stewardship Plans (NRCS rating tools)

Conservation Practice Examples NRCS # I do this I’m

interested in this

Not Applicable

37) Wetland creation 658

38) Wetland enhancement 659

39) Wetland restoration 657

40) Wetland and wildlife habitat management 644

41) My ideas to meet the objectives: ____________________________________ ____________________________________

Source: Habitat Work Schedule

Frequently Flooded Areas Agriculture Intersecting with Frequently Flooded Areas

Wetland Habitat Protection Riparian Planting

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Frequently Flooded Areas: lands in the flood plain subject to at least a one percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year or areas within the highest known recorded flood elevation, or within areas subject to flooding due to high groundwater. Includes:

Special flood hazard areas (as defined in Chapter 14.38 TCC), streams, rivers, lakes, coastal areas, wetlands, and areas where high groundwater forms ponds on the ground surface

All areas within unincorporated Thurston County identified on flood insurance rate maps prepared by the Federal Insurance Administration

Agricultural Viability Objectives Frequently Flooded Area Objectives

Avoid water contamination and damage from flooding to crops, farm machinery, and loss of livestock

Maintain floodplain areas and functions (i.e. capacity to retain floodwater flows)

Avoid environmental damage due to flooding such as loss of floodplain storage or due to agricultural chemicals

Specific Actions

Inventory and maintain or improve drainage systems on site

Specific Actions

Acreage or stream miles of riparian areas maintained or voluntarily enhanced

Maintain or reduce impervious surfaces relative to baseline conditions

Avoid permanent alterations to floodplain areas that increase floodwater displacement, such as buildings, roads, and increased impervious surfaces

Where changes are necessary, follow Thurston County Code Ch. 14.38 for development in flood hazard areas

Conservation Practice Examples NRCS # I do this I’m

interested in this

Not Applicable

42) Tree/ shrub establishment 612

43) Avoid permanent alterations to floodplain areas that increase floodwater displacement such as buildings and roads. Where changes are necessary, follow regulations for development in flood hazard areas

Thurston County

Code Ch. 14.38

44) My ideas to meet the objectives: ____________________________________

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Source: Habitat Work Schedule

Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas Agriculture Intersecting with Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas

Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas: Areas with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water including areas where an aquifer that is a source of drinking water is vulnerable to contamination that would affect the potability of the water, or is susceptible to reduced recharge.

Agricultural Viability Objectives Critical Aquifer Recharge Area Objectives

Promote pest and nutrient management that maximizes agricultural productivity while reducing impacts to critical areas

Maintain or improve water quality and quantity in critical aquifer recharge areas

Specific Actions

Assess adequate clean water availability

Implement irrigation efficiencies

Specific Actions

Implement irrigation efficiencies

Avoid permanent alterations to critical aquifer recharge areas such as buildings, roads, and increased impervious surfaces

Track water quality in individual Stewardship Plans (NRCS rating tools)

Conservation Practice Examples NRCS # I do this I’m

interested in this

Not Applicable

45) Water well: provide access to a groundwater supply suitable for livestock watering, fire control, wildlife, and other agricultural uses

642

46) Groundwater testing to determine the quality of groundwater supply

355

47) My ideas to meet the objectives: 351/353 ____________________________________ ____________________________________

Riparian/Floodplain Planting Floodplain LWD Placement

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STEP 3: ACTION PLAN Once you have answered the questions, please contact the technical assistance provider to learn about

next steps and implementation of conservation practices.

Lead Technical Assistance Provider: Thurston Conservation District http://www.thurstoncd.com/

Supporting Technical Assistance Providers: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/wa/home/

WSU Extension http://ext100.wsu.edu/thurston/agriculture/