Kittitas County Voluntary Stewardship Plan

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1 Kittitas County Voluntary Stewardship Plan Presented by John Small and Nora Schlenker, Anchor QEA 1

2 Agenda Welcome and Meeting Purpose VSP Work Plan Overview and Timeline Conceptual Overview of Work Plan Overview of Sections 1-4 Introduction Regional Setting Baseline and Existing Conditions Protection and Enhancement Strategies Next Steps 2

3 VSP Overview 3

4 Background and Purpose 4

5 VSP Timeline Deadline for Work Plan submittal to Technical Panel August 17, 2018 Periodic Evaluations (every 2 years) Status of VSP accomplishments Reporting (every 5 years) Progress report on performance towards meeting VSP goals and benchmarks Adaptive Management (ongoing) Track indicators and adjust conservation practices emphasis accordingly 5

6 VSP Technical Panel Emphasized Elements Clear discussion about outreach and creation of the Watershed Group Demonstrate that producer participation and conservation practices are having the desired effect on critical area functions and values (protect functions existing on July 22, 2011) Clearly establish baseline monitoring approach that considers: Watershed- or County-wide scale protection of critical area functions Protection of producer privacy Includes monitoring indicators, such as aerial imagery to help track changes in habitat, including enhancements over time 6

7 Volume One Conceptual Overview of Work Plan 7

8 Section 1: Introduction Introduce VSP Background and summarize the Work Plan elements Roles and Responsibilities for Work Plan Development FAQs Describe outreach and Work Group formation process Define state, local, and individual roles and responsibilities Watershed Group Input Brainstorm FAQs October Review section November 8

9 Section 2: Regional Setting General background on environmental and agricultural setting Critical areas and their functions in the County Introduction of the Community Areas Watershed Group Input Approval of Community Areas October Review section November 9

10 Section 3: Baseline and Existing Conditions Connect critical areas to functions and values as applicable to the VSP Discuss critical area intersection with agriculture Discuss agricultural viability in the County Watershed Group Input Agricultural viability SWOT October Review section November 10

11 Section 4: Protection and Enhancement Strategies Introduce conservation practices that protect and enhance critical areas functions and values Provide key conservation practices for each Community Area Changes since 2011 baseline Practices implemented by NRCS and KCCD Watershed Group Input Brainstorm of applicable conservation practices October Review section November 11

12 Section 5: Goals, Benchmarks, and Adaptive Management Set goals and objectives for each critical area Benchmarks set as enrollment on conservation practices Indicators for critical areas functions that inform adaptive management Adaptive management Watershed Group Input Discuss goals and benchmark methods November Review section December 12

13 Section 6: Implementation Framework for implementation and outreach by the VSP Lead (KCCD) Overview of existing programs and funding sources Timeline for reporting Overview of monitoring and adaptive management procedures Watershed Group Input Discuss implementation and outreach December Review section January 13

14 Section 1 Introduction 14

15 Roles and Responsibilities State Approval and Administration Washington State Conservation Commission VSP Technical Panel VSP Statewide Advisory Committee Local Administration and Work Plan Development Kittitas County Kittitas Conservation District Kittitas County Watershed Group Agricultural Producers Outreach/Implementation 15

16 Frequently Asked Questions Watershed Group Brainstorm What is VSP? Are there critical areas on my property? Why should I participate in VSP? What are Individual Stewardship Plans? Is there funding for VSP? Others? 16

17 Section 2 Regional Setting 17

18 Regional Setting Water Resources Soils Ownership Land Cover 18

19 Agricultural Land 19

Agriculture in Kittitas County In 2012 the market value of agricultural products produced in Kittitas County was approximately $68 million 68% was crops 32% was

20 Agriculture in Kittitas County In 2012 the market value of agricultural products produced in Kittitas County was approximately $68 million 68% was crops 32% was livestock By value, hay and non-grain crops were top commodity followed by cattle There were approximately 1,379 farms Census of Agriculture 2012 and Farm Service Agency

21 Critical Areas FWHCA Wetlands FFA None currently applicable to agricultural lands in Kittitas County but the functions and values of these critical areas can still be addressed in the VSP CARA Geologic Hazards 21

22 Inclusion of CARAs and Geologic Hazards How do we want to handle this in the Work Plan? Pros More defensible to the VSP Technical Panel Will be covered if CARAs or Geologic Hazard Areas become applicable to agricultural areas in the future Will already be doing many practices that benefit CARAs or Geologic Hazard Areas Cons Requires additional tracking and reporting May not address all functions and values if CARAs or Geologic Hazard Areas become applicable to agricultural areas in the future 22

23 Critical Areas 23

24 Critical Areas Local Definition of Critical Area Functions and Values Ecosystem Functions Water Quality Hydrology Soil Health Habitat Wetlands Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas Geologically Hazardous Areas Frequently Flooded Areas 24

25 Community Areas 25

26 Section 3 Baseline and Existing Conditions 26

Critical Areas Intersection with Agriculture Focus on Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas, Wetlands, and Frequently Flooded Areas Outline the main intersections with

27 Critical Areas Intersection with Agriculture Focus on Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas, Wetlands, and Frequently Flooded Areas Outline the main intersections with agriculture within each Community Area to guide selection and key conservation practices Provides baseline conditions to compare indicators against for adaptive management 27

28 Agricultural Viability Regional Perspective The ability of a region to sustain agricultural economy and production over time Concept Stable and secure agricultural land base Infrastructure and services Support for best farm management practices Education, training, and succession planning Welcoming business environment Market Trends/Viability Land conversion Stable water rights Utilities/irrigation Detail Market access/transportation Economically viable solutions Balanced approach Apprenticeships/training Interconnectivity with end users Stable regulatory environment Partnership based environmental protection Changing livestock and commodity prices can effect the number of producers that support economy Value added measures to make products more marketable 28

29 Agricultural Viability Farm Perspective The ability of a farm to meet financial obligations and make profit Reduce Input Costs Concept Maintain/Enhance Land Production Capacity Flexibility to Respond to Market Conditions Incentives Managed Farmland Conversion No Surprises Regulatory Environment Protect Private Property Rights Environmental Variation Energy (power, fuels) Chemicals/fertilizers Labor Soil health Detail Water systems and moisture management Nutrient management Promoting/adopting new technology Changing land in production Individual schedule for implementing conservation practices Cropping choices Payment for measures Tax breaks Urban development (limited) Maintain resource lands Federal - CWA, CAA, ESA, etc. State and Local Permitting Recognize and respect rights Rainfall, temperature, etc. affects activities 29

30 SWOT Analysis Preliminary Results Strengths Many export options and close proximity to urban markets Strength of family farms Climate Strong demand for product Good transportation infrastructure Weaknesses Cost of electricity Water availability Few rotation options Short growing season Opportunities Yakima Basin Integrate Plan partnerships New technologies and crops Increased efficiency Agricultural tourism Threats Agricultural land conversion New regulations Population growth/urban sprawl Predation of livestock 30

31 SWOT Analysis Watershed Group Brainstorm Other strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, or threats? 31

32 Yakima Basin Integrated Plan Constitutes a change in Baseline Conditions for the purposes of VSP Changes to both critical areas and agriculture Discuss projects completed since 2011 and ongoing projects Source of funding for projects with habitat or water conservation benefits 32

33 Section 4 Protection and Enchantment Strategies 33

34 Key Conservation Practices Example key conservation practices from Adams County Provide key conservation practices for each Community Area 34

35 Changes Since 2011 Baseline NRCS Practices Implemented Since 2011 Practice Acres Irrigation Water Management 2,753 Forest Stand Improvement 2,163 Sprinkler System 2,147 Woody Residue Treatment 2,145 Tree/Shrub Pruning 2,011 Prescribed Grazing 1,428 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 1,406 35

36 Changes Since 2011 Baseline KCCD Practices Implemented Since 2011 Practice Irrigation Water Pipeline Aquatic Organism Passage Sprinkler System Range Planting Streambank/Shoreline Protection Clearing and Snagging Pumping Plant Structure for Water Control Tree and Shrub Establishment Amount 42,319 feet 2,770 cubic yards 1,200 square feet 1,831 acres 494 acres 445 feet 20 cubic yards 2 count 2 count 0.24 acres 36

37 Key Conservation Practices Watershed Group Brainstorm Which conservation practices should be highlighted in your Work Plan? 37

38 Next Steps 38

39 Expected Next Steps AQ prepares Sections 1-4 Send to Watershed Group one week prior to meeting Watershed Group review and provide comments Due two weeks after the Watershed Group meeting November Watershed Group Meeting Discuss Goals, Measurable Benchmarks, and Adaptive Management Potential Date: Monday November 20, 2017, 10:00 to 12:00 or Wednesday November 15, 2017, 1:00 to 3:00 39

Kittitas County Voluntary Stewardship Plan

Kittitas County Voluntary Stewardship Plan Presented by John Small and Nora Schlenker, Anchor QEA 1 Agenda Welcome and Follow-up from Last Meeting Protection and Enhancement Strategies Goals and Measurable