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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/