1. Where critical areas & agriculture meet
Mason Voluntary Stewardship Program
Where critical areas &
agriculture meet
VSP Work Group Meeting
March 28, 2017

2. Agenda Finish up on Wetlands and BMPs BMPs for wetlands
VSP approach for wetlands
Objectives & measures for wetlands

3. VSP Purpose/Goals Reminder…
Ensure the viability of agriculture and reduce the conversion of farmland to other uses
Protect baseline conditions for critical areas measured on a watershed scale as of July 2011
Enhance critical areas measured on a watershed scale through voluntary actions

4. Work Plan Conceptual Model
How the Work Plan will approach intersection of ag lands with critical areas

5. Wetland BMPs
and Objectives

6. Wetlands on Agricultural Lands in Mason County
Acres of ag lands affected by wetlands: ± 10,266
Number of ag parcels with wetlands: ± 521
Percent of all ag lands with wetlands: ±76%

7. Wetland Functions Groundwater recharge & streamflow maintenance
Sediment, nutrient, & chemical capture
Flood protection
Shoreline stabilization
Habitat for fish & wildlife
Not all wetlands perform all functions nor do they perform all functions equally well. 

8. Best Management Practices (BMPs) are actions taken on agricultural lands that sustain productivity while achieving a range of environmental benefits (functions).
NRCS Conservation Practices most prominent
Choice of which BMPs to use are unique to each situation
BMPs can directly and indirectly benefit wetlands and agricultural viability

9. Agricultural operators learn about & implement BMPs through a variety of resources:
Conservation District
NRCS/FSA
WSU Extension
Private companies
Agricultural organizations
Fellow farmers

10. Examples of BMPs that enhance wetlands
Channel stabilization
Channel bank vegetation
Constructed wetland
Critical area planting
Fence
Filter strip
Fish passage
Heavy use protection area
Irrigation water management
Nutrient management
Pest management
Prescribed grazing
Riparian forest buffer
Riparian herbaceous cover

11. Examples of BMPs that enhance wetlands
Stream habitat improvement & management
Streambank & shoreline protection
Tree/shrub establishment
Use exclusion
Waste storage facility
Watering facility
Wetland creation
Wetland restoration
Wetland wildlife habitat management

12. Who has established programs?
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Farm Service Agency (FSA)
Mason Conservation District (MCD)
Recreation & Conservation Office (RCO)

13. Other potential funding sources?
Self-funding - DIY
Philanthropic & community organizations
Not for profit organizations
Public/private partnerships
Corporations

14. Under VSP, BMPs can be done through an established program or done independently (DIY).
Financial incentives
Set standards
Program Approach
DIY Approach
Personal investment
Do as you like

15. Example: Filter strips under CREP
Provides rental income
First 15 ft. not eligible for enrollment
Minimum width 20 ft., maximum generally 120 ft.
Starts at top of streambank
Not eligible next to salmon/steelhead streams
Example: Filter strips under DIY
No standards, no financial assistance

16. Why would someone do the DIY approach?
Don’t want involvement with government – but may still want to enhance critical areas as good stewards of the land
Keep VSP in place and avoid imposition of regulatory requirements

17. While established Conservation Practices may be the more effective approach, a DIY action at a lesser standard would still constitute enhancement of a critical area.
Both actions would count as enhancement under VSP.

18. How can we encourage agricultural operators to use BMPs to enhance wetlands?
Establish a VSP technical provider
Share information about BMPs & benefits by developing Farm Stewardship Plans

19. How can we encourage agricultural operators to use BMPs to enhance wetlands?
Facilitate the use and expansion of established programs
Work towards creating flexible funding sources
Foundations, not-for-profit organizations, public private partnerships, & corporations
Provide info and technical assistance to those going the DIY route

20. Setting objectives to accomplish through our Work Plan approach to enhance wetlands
Objectives are milestones that we want to achieve on the road to our goals
Can be measured to show progress
Must be realistic – “We really can achieve this!”

21. Potential Work Plan objectives for wetlands
Recruit and assist agricultural operators to prepare individual voluntary stewardship plans that identify potential conservation practices that will enhance wetlands
Measure: number of stewardship plans completed
Assist agricultural operators in implementing voluntary conservation practices that enhance the functions and values of wetlands on their property
Measure: number, type, and extent of conservation practices implemented

22. Potential Work Plan objectives for wetlands
Provide confidential assistance to agricultural operators about how to identify wetlands on their properties
Measure: number of consultations
Prepare and distribute information to agricultural operators about available financial assistance programs for voluntary conservation practices that enhance wetlands
Measure: literature prepared and distributed

23. Potential Work Plan objectives for wetlands
Advise agricultural operators about enrolling in voluntary conservation easements or participate in acquisition programs for high functioning wetlands on their properties
Measure: number of consultations
Promote a dual approach to voluntary conservation practices that enhance both wetlands and agricultural viability
Measure: number, type, and extent of wetland enhancement projects that resulted in no net loss or an increase in agricultural viability