Voluntary Stewardship Program Approved for Columbia County

DAYTON—Columbia County Planning Director Meagan Bailey told County Commissioners last week that the county’s Voluntary Stewardship Plan has been approved by a state technical panel on the Washington State Conservation Commission.

VSP is an optional incentive-based program to assist landowners in protecting and enhancing critical areas, while promoting agriculture in the county. It is allowed under the state’s Growth Management Act, with the goal to reduce tension between competing GMA goals related to agricultural viability and protection of critical areas.

Critical areas are defined by the WSCC as wetland areas, aquifer recharge areas, areas for fish and wildlife, frequently flooded areas, geologically hazardous areas, and areas with critical recharging effect on potable water.

In March, the county’s Watershed Work Group held a public meeting in Dayton to present the draft Work Plan, before submitting it to the state technical panel, in May. The plan was adopted at the end of June, said Bailey.

Members of the work group included Roland Schirman, Don Brigham, Meagan Bailey, Dena Martin, Justin Pearson, Marty Hall, Norm Passmore, Terry Bruegman, Janet Howard and Don Howard

The Columbia County Conservation District will serve as the technical lead for Plan implementation and monitoring, she said.

Next steps are to send surveys to local farmers to gauge their interest in opting into VSP. Individual stewardship plans will be created for those who opt in.

Bailey said there will be cost share dollars allocated through a Conservation Grant.

The county opted into the VSP in 2011, and funding was made available in 2015. Phase I of the project began in January 2016 and ended in June 2017. Bailey said the project is now in Phase II, for the second round of funding.