HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/10/01 - Briefing Packet BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
DRAFT BRIEFING MEETING AGENDA
411 North Fifth Street, Shelton WA 98584
Week of October 1, 2018
Monday, October 1, 2018
Commission Chambers
9:00 A.M. Closed Session — RCW 42.30.140(4) Labor Discussion
9:15 A.M. Executive Session — RCW 42.30.110 (1)(b) Real Estate
Purchase
9:30 A.M. Support Services — Frank Pinter
9:50 A.M. Community Services — Dave Windom
10:10 A.M. BREAK
10:15 A.M. Public Works — Jerry Hauth
Utilities & Waste Management
11:30 A.M. Mason Conservation District- John Bolender
Commissioner Discussion — as needed
BREAK— NOON
2:00 P.M. Elected Official/Department Head Meeting
Commissioner Discussion — as needed
Briefing Agendas are subject to change,please contact the Commissioners'office for the most recent version.
Last printed 09/27/18 at 1:33 PM
If special accommodations are needed,contact the Commissioners'office at ext.419,Shelton#360427-9670;Belfair
#275-4467,Elma#482-5269.
MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONER BRIEFING INFORMATION FOR WEEK OF
October 1, 2018
In the spirit of public information and inclusion, the attached is a draft of
information for Commissioner consideration and discussion at the above briefing.
This information is subject to change, additions and/or deletion and is not all
inclusive of what will be presented to the Commissioners.
We have changed the packet format so that it is an interactive document. Please
click on the agenda item which then takes you to the cover sheet of that section in
the document. To get back to the agenda, hit your "home" key on the keyboard.
Please see draft briefing agenda for schedule.
1854
Mason County Support Services Department Budget Management
otz coo— ° th Commissioner Administration
411 North 5 Street
Shelton WA 98584 Emergency Management
Facilities, Parks&Trails
360.427.9670 ext. 419
Human Resources
Information Services
"" Labor Relations
rsc.r Risk Management
MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONER BRIEFING ITEMS FROM SUPPORT SERVICES
October 1, 2018
• Specific Items for Review
o Criminal Justice Treatment Account (CJTA) Contract with WA State Health Care Authority- Frank
• Commissioner Discussion
o Boat launch fees—Cmmr. Shutty
o Recognition of Lee Swoboda's service to the HCCC Citizens Advisory Group—Cmmr. Shutty
o BHO Mental Health Triage Center permitting—Cmmr. Shutty
J:\DLZ\Briefing Items\2018\2018-10-01.docx
MASON COUNTY
BRIEFING ITEM SUMMARY FORM
TO: BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
FROM: Ross McDowell
DEPARTMENT: Parks &Trails EXT: 806
BRIEFING DATE: October 1, 2018
PREVIOUS BRIEFING DATES:
If this is a follow-up briefing, please provide only new information
ITEM: Information on boat launch fees from WA State, other counties and cities.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: (If applicable, please include available options and
potential solutions):
For review and discussion amongst the Board of County Commissioners
BUDGET IMPACTS:
None at this time
RECOMMENDED OR REQUESTED ACTION:
Review and discussion for future planning
ATTACHMENTS:
2018 Boat Launch Fee Report
Briefing Summary 9/25/2018
Boating Launch Fees Report
August 27, 2018
After some calling we were able to gather that most county owned launches do not charge a
boat launch fee, but State and Ports do charge a fee for launching and parking. The State and
Ports have either a person on site checking for compliance or a camera system that they use to
track down the non-compliant person through their license plate. Below are the contacts were
made for this information:
Local:
• Port of Grapeview have ticket machine that only takes debit/credit cards (no cash). They charge
$6 to launch and $11 to launch and park.They have a camera on site that is of high quality and
are able to get license plate#'s of those that don't pay. They then issue them a ticket.
• Port of Allyn has a drop box.They charge $8 to launch and an additional $10 to park.They also
have a $75 annual pass.When they first started they had a staff member on site a lot to check
that fees were paid.A note was left on cars for those that didn't pay. After a short time they saw
that most people paid and they didn't have the need to have staff check as often.
• Hood Canal Marina stated that they do not have a boat launch.They only one in the area is ours
at Union. She also said the County might consider selling the boat launch to the marina and
using the money to enforce launch fees at other launches.
Out of County:
• Lewis County parks has no boat launch fees for their parks
• Toledo City boat launch charges $5.00 a day or annual Launch pass $40.00 a year(Jan—Dec).
• Mayfield Lake— Day-Use parking $5.00 on weekends and holidays between Memorial Day&
Labor Day. Season Day-Use parking pass is $35.00
• Ike Kinswa State park—Annual launch permit (Natural Investment Permit - $80.00) or Annual
Discover Pass ($35.00) and a daily launch permit ($7.00) or One—day Discover Pass ($11.50) and a
daily launch permit ($7.00).
• Thurston County does not charge a boat launch fee in any of their boat ramps.
• Kitsap County does not charge a boat launch fee.They have talked about a ticket machine but the
cost of the machine, power needed and enforcement outweighed using it.
• Swantown Port of Olympia charges $5.00 for general public launching and $50.00 for commercial
launching. Overnight/long term vehicle/boat trailer parking is $5.00 per night— payable at harbor
office.
• West Bay Park(Olympia) has a hand-held boat launch for kayaks no charge for launching.
• Capitol Lake, Heritage, Marathon, and Sylvester Parks in downtown Olympia are part of the State
Capitol Campus grounds and are managed by the State of Washington Department of Enterprise
Services (DES).
• The City of Lacey has WDFW boat launches using State Parks rules.
Exhibit C
MASON COUNTY
BRIEFING ITEM SUMMARY FORM
TO: BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
FROM.
DEPARTME T: EXT:,'
BRIEFING DATE:
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Previous Briefing Dates:
__If this is a follow-up briefing, please provide only new information)
ITEM: \
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: (If applicable, please include available options and potential
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BUDGET IMPACTS:
RECOMMENDED OR REQUESTED ACTION:
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ATTACHMENTS:
Page 16
Washington StateCOUNTY PROGRAM HCA Agreement Number:
Health Care thority AGREEMENT 1863-34807
CJTA Services
This Program Agreement is by and between the State of Washington Health GT&C Contract Number:
Care Authority (HCA) and the County identified below, and is issued in 1863-34807
conjunction with the DSHS and County Agreement on General Terms and Contractor Contract Number:
Conditions GT&C , which is incorporated by reference.
CONTRACTOR NAME CONTRACTOR doing business as (DBA)
Mason Count
CONTRACTOR ADDRESS WASHINGTON INDEX NUMBER
419 N 4th Street UNIFORM BUSINESS
Shelton, WA 98548 IDENTIFIER (UBI) 1229
CONTRACTOR CONTACT CONTRACTOR CONTRACTOR E-MAIL ADDRESS
Renee Cullop TELEPHONE reneec@co.mason.wa.us
(360)427-9670
HCA DIVISION HCA CONTRACT CODE
Division of Behavioral Health 7000CC-63
HCA CONTACT NAME AND TITLE HCA CONTACT ADDRESS
Ahney King 4500 10th Ave SE
Program Administrator
Lacey, WA 98503
HCA CONTACT TELEPHONE HCA CONTACT FAX HCA CONTACT E-MAIL ADDRESS
(360)725-3753 1 1 Ahney.King@hca.wa.gov
IS THE CONTRACTOR A SUBRECIPIENT FOR PURPOSES CFDA NUMBER(S)
OF THIS CONTRACT?
No
AGREEMENT START DATE AGREEMENT END DATE MAXIMUM AGREEMENT AMOUNT
07/01/2018 1 06/30/2019 $49,130.00
EXHIBITS. The following Exhibits are attached and are incorporated into this Agreement by reference:
® Exhibits (specify): Attachment 1, Confidential Information Security Requirements; Attachment 2, Substance Use
Disorder Optional Services and Activities Allowable under CJTA
The terms and conditions of this Agreement are an integration and representation of the final, entire and exclusive
understanding between the parties superseding and merging all previous agreements, writings, and communications, oral
or otherwise regarding the subject matter of this Agreement, between the parties. The parties signing below represent
they have read and understand this Agreement, and have the authority to execute this Agreement. This Agreement shall
be binding on HCA only upon signature by HCA.
CONTRACTOR SIGNATURE PRINTED NAME AND TITLE DATE SIGNED
HCA SIGNATURE PRINTED NAME AND TITLE DATE SIGNED
HCA Contracts
HCA Contract Services
7017CF County Program Agreement(07-16-2018) Page 1
Special Terms & Conditions
1. Definitions Specific to Special Terms. The words and phrases listed below, as used in this Program
Agreement shall each have the following definitions:
a. "CJTA" or"Criminal Justice Treatment Account' means per RCW 70.96A.350, the account created
by Washington State that may be expended solely for: substance use disorder treatment and
treatment support services for offenders with a substance.
b. "DUNS" or"Data Universal Numbering System" means a unique identifier for businesses. DUNS
numbers are assigned and maintained by Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) and are used for a variety of
purposes, including applying for government contracting opportunities.
c. "DBHR" means the HCA Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, and its employees and
authorized agents.
d. "HCA" means the Washington State Health Care Authority, and its employees and authorized
agents.
e. "RCW" means the Washington State Revised Code of Washington.
f. "SUD" or"Substance Use Disorder" means a problematic pattern of alcohol/drug use leading to
clinically significant impairment or distress as categorized in the DSM-5.
2. Purpose. The Purpose of the Program Agreement is for the County to provide treatment and recovery
support services to those involved in the criminal justice system in accordance with RCW 71.24.580.
3. Specific Eligibility and/or Funding Requirements for Criminal Justice Treatment Account
Services. Criminal Justice Treatment Account(CJTA): Drug Courts, RCW 2.28.170; Drug Courts) and
Drug Court funding. Drug court funding is provided to the following counties under this Program
Agreement Cowlitz, Skagit and Thurston. The County must ensure the provision of substance use
disorder treatment and support services detailed below and in accordance with RCW 70.96A and RCW
2.28.170.
In accordance with RCW 71.24.580, amounts in this Program Agreement must be used for treatment
and recovery support services, per Attachment 2, for criminally involved offenders and authorization of
these services shall not be subject to determinations of medical necessity.
a. The County must coordinate with the local CJTA panel for the County in order to facilitate the
planning requirement as described in RCW 71.24.580. The plan must:
(1) Describe in detail how substance use disorder treatment and support services will be delivered
within the region;
(2) Address the CJTA Account Match Requirement by providing a local participation match of all
HCA-provided criminal justice awards;
(3) Include details on special projects such as best practices/treatment strategies, significant
underserved population(s), or regional endeavors, including the following:
(a) Describe the project and how it will be consistent with the strategic plan;
(b) Describe how the project will enhance treatment services for offenders;
(c) Indicate the number of offenders who were served using innovative funds;
HCA Contract Services
7017CF County Program Agreement(07-16-2018) Page 2
Special Terms & Conditions
b. Detail the original goals and objectives of the project.
CJTA Funding Guidelines
(1) In accordance with RCW 2.30.040. if CJTA funds are managed by a Drug Court, then it is
required to provide a dollar-for-dollar participation match for services to Individuals who are
receiving services under the supervision of a drug court.
(2) No more than ten percent (10%) of the total CJTA funds may be used for the following support
services combined:
(a) Transportation;
(b) Child Care Services.
(3) At a minimum thirty percent(30%) of the CJTA funds for special projects that meet any or all of
the following conditions:
(a) An acknowledged best practice (or treatment strategy) that can be documented in published
research;
(b) An approach utilizing either traditional or best practice approaches to treat significant
underserved population(s);
(c) A regional project conducted in partnership with at least one other entity serving the service
area;
(d) Services eligible to be provided through CJTA funds are defined in the SUD Services
Descriptions and Service Matrix (available upon request);
(e) CJTA Special Projects. HCA retains the right to request progress reports on CJTA special
projects.
4. Statement of Work. The County shall provide the services and staff, and otherwise do all thinks
necessary for or incidental to the performance of work, as set forth below:
a. CJTA for Treatment in the Jail. Criminal Justice Treatment Account (CJTA) funds may be used, in
a limited capacity, to provide substance use disorder(SUD) assessments, engagement, referral,
transition planning and outpatient treatment services in jail. If CJTA funds are utilized for these
purposes:
(1) The County must identify and provide transition services to persons with substance use
disorder, who meet the CJTA requirements as defined in RCW 71.24.580, to expedite and
facilitate their return to the community.
(2) Continue treatment services with individuals who were engaged in community-based treatment
prior to their incarceration, with the intent to complete the outpatient treatment episode.
(3) Initiate outpatient treatment services with individuals who will be released and transition into
community-based treatment.
(4) The County may provide eight(8) sessions per individual, the sessions may include:
HCA Contract Services
7017CF County Program Agreement(07-16-2018) Page 3
Special Terms & Conditions
(a) Engaging individuals in SUD treatment;
(b) Referral to SUD services;
(c) Coordinating care;
(d) Continuity of care;
(e) Transition planning.
b. The County must ensure the provision of substance use disorder treatment and recovery support
services detailed below and in accordance with RCW 71.24.580 and RCW 2.28.170. Please see
SUD Services Descriptions and Service Matrix (available upon request)for a detailed list of
services allowable within CJTA. County level funding priorities are established by the local CJTA
panel.
(1) The County must coordinate with their local CJTA panel in order to facilitate the planning
requirement as described in RCW 71.24.580.
It is important to note that plans should detail the coordination within the County, leverage the
needed services for the community, and reach the intended population for the CJTA fund. The
plan must:
(a) Describe in detail how substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services will
be delivered within the County;
(b) Address the CJTA Account Match Requirement by providing a local participation match of all
HCA-provided criminal justice awards (further match information provided under sub-section
"CJTA Funding Guidelines");
(c) Include details on special projects i.e. National Association of Drug Court Professionals
(NADCP) Best Practices/treatment strategies, significant underserved population(s), or
regional endeavors;
i. Describe how the project will enhance treatment or recovery support services for
offenders;
ii. Detail the goals and objectives of the project.
(2) Completed plans must be submitted to HCA for review and approval. Once approved, the
County must implement its plan as written.
(a) The County can choose to use the funds according to the current plan or provide an
updated plan with any changes by August 15, 2018.
(b) New or updated plans for all Counties are due by October 1, 2018.
5. Consideration. Total consideration payable to the County for satisfactory performance of the work
under this Program Agreement is up to a maximum of$49,130 for CJTA Services, and $0 for Drug
Court Services, including any and all expenses.
6. Billing and Payment.
HCA Contract Services
7017CF County Program Agreement(07-16-2018) Page 4
Special Terms & Conditions
a. County shall be paid 1/12 of the amount(s) listed in Section 5, Consideration for CJTA Services
and/or Drug Court Services.
b. All Counties will be required to submit a quarterly Supplemental Form with the amount of CJTA
dollars spent in the County for the quarter.
c. The County is required to limit Administration costs to no more than ten percent(10%) of the annual
revenue supporting the public behavioral health system operated by the County. Administration
costs shall be measured on a fiscal year basis and based on the information reported in the
Supplemental Form reports and reviewed by the HCA Behavioral Health Administration.
7. DUNS Number and Zip Code + 4.
DUNS Number: 069580751. Zip Code + 4: 98584 + 1037.
8. Confidential Information Security.
The federal government, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the
State of Washington all maintain security requirements regarding privacy, data access, and other
areas. County is required to comply with the Confidential Information Security Requirements set out in
Attachment 1 to this Program Agreement and appropriate portions of the Washington OCIO Security
Standard, 141.10 (hftps://ocio.wa.-gov/policies/1 41-securing-information-technology-assets/1 4110-
securing-information-technology-assets).
9. Confidential Information Breach—Required Notification.
a. County must notify the HCA Privacy Officer(HCAPrivacyOfficer(a)-hca.wa.gov) within five (5)
Business Days of discovery of any Breach or suspected Breach of Confidential Information.
b. County will take steps necessary to mitigate any known harmful effects of such unauthorized
access including, but not limited to, sanctioning employees and taking steps necessary to stop
further unauthorized access. County agrees to indemnify and hold HCA harmless for any damages
related to unauthorized use or disclosure of Confidential Information by County, its officers,
directors, employees, Subcontractors or agents.
c. If notification of the Breach or possible Breach must(in the judgment of HCA) be made under the
HIPAA Breach Notification Rule, or RCW 42.56.590 or RCW 19.254.010, or other law or rule, then:
(1) HCA may choose to make any required notifications to the individuals, to the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services Secretary (DHHS) Secretary, and to the media, or direct County
to make them or any of them.
(2) In any case, County will pay the reasonable costs of notification to individuals, media, and
governmental agencies and of other actions HCA reasonably considers appropriate to protect
HCA clients (such as paying for regular credit watches in some cases).
(3) County will compensate HCA clients for harms caused to them by any Breach or possible
Breach.
d. Any breach of this clause may result in termination of the Program Agreement and the demand for
return or disposition (Attachment 1, Section 6) of all Confidential Information.
e. County's obligations regarding Breach notification survive the termination of this Program
HCA Contract Services
7017CF County Program Agreement(07-16-2018) Page 5
Special Terms & Conditions
Agreement and continue for as long as County maintains the Confidential Information and for any
breach or possible breach at any time.
10. Pay Equity.
a. County represents and warrants that, as required by Washington state law(Laws of 2017, Chap. 1,
§ 147), during the term of this Program Agreement, it agrees to equality among its workers by
ensuring similarly employed individuals are compensated as equals. For purposes of this provision,
employees are similarly employed if(i) the individuals work for County, (ii) the performance of the
job requires comparable skill, effort, and responsibility, and (iii) the jobs are performed under similar
working conditions. Job titles alone are not determinative of whether employees are similarly
employed.
b. County may allow differentials in compensation for its workers based in good faith on any of the
following: (i) a seniority system; (ii) a merit system; (iii) a system that measures earnings by quantity
or quality of production; (iv) bona fide job-related factor(s); or(v) a bona fide regional difference in
compensation levels.
c. Bona fide job-related factor(s)" may include, but not be limited to, education, training, or experience,
that is: (i) consistent with business necessity; (ii) not based on or derived from a gender-based
differential; and (iii) accounts for the entire differential.
d. A "bona fide regional difference in compensation level" must be (i) consistent with business
necessity; (ii) not based on or derived from a gender-based differential; and (iii) account for the
entire differential.
e. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, upon breach of warranty and County's failure to
provide satisfactory evidence of compliance within thirty (30) Days of HCA's request for such
evidence, HCA may suspend or terminate this Program Agreement.
11. Notices.
Whenever one party is required to give notice to the other party under this Program Agreement, it shall
be deemed given if mailed by United States Postal Service, registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid and addressed as follows:
a. In the case of notice to the County, notice shall be sent to the point of contact identified on page
one (1) of this Program Agreement;
b. In the case of notice to HCA, notice shall be sent to:
Contract Services
Legal and Administrative Services Division
Washington State Health Care Authority
P. O. Box 42702
Olympia, Washington 98504-2702
Contracts@hca.wa.gov
Said notice shall become effective on the date delivered as evidenced by the return receipt or the date
returned to sender for non-delivery other than for insufficient postage. Either party may at any time
change its address for notification purposes by mailing a notice in accordance with this Section, stating
the change and setting forth the new address, which shall be effective on the tenth (10th) day following
the effective date of such notice unless a later day is specified in the notice.
HCA Contract Services
7017CF County Program Agreement(07-16-2018) Page 6
Special Terms & Conditions
Attachment 1
Confidential Information Security Requirements
1. Definitions. In addition to the definitions set out in Section 1 of this Agreement for CJTA Services, the
definitions below apply to this Attachment.
a. "Hardened Password" means a string of characters containing at least three of the following
character classes: upper case letters; lower case letters; numerals; and special characters, such as
an asterisk, ampersand or exclamation point.
(1) Passwords for external authentication must be a minimum of 10 characters long.
(2) Passwords for internal authentication must be a minimum of 8 characters long.
(3) Passwords used for system service or service accounts must be a minimum of 20 characters
long.
b. "Portable/Removable Media" means any Data storage device that can be detached or removed
from a computer and transported, including but not limited to: optical media (e.g. CDs, DVDs); USB
drives; or flash media (e.g. CompactFlash, SD, MMC).
c. "Portable/Removable Devices" means any small computing device that can be transported,
including but not limited to: handhelds/PDAs/Smartphones; Ultramobile PC's, flash memory devices
(e.g. USB flash drives, personal media players); and laptops/notebook/tablet computers. If used to
store Confidential Information, devices should be Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS)
Level 2 compliant.
d. "Secured Area" means an area to which only Authorized Users have access. Secured Areas may
include buildings, rooms, or locked storage containers (such as a filing cabinet) within a room, as
long as access to the Confidential Information is not available to unauthorized personnel.
e. "Transmitting" means the transferring of data electronically, such as via email, SFTP, webservices,
AWS Snowball, etc.
f. "Trusted System(s)" means the following methods of physical delivery: (1) hand-delivery by a
person authorized to have access to the Confidential Information with written acknowledgement of
receipt; (2) United States Postal Service ("USPS")first class mail, or USPS delivery services that
include Tracking, such as Certified Mail, Express Mail or Registered Mail; (3) commercial delivery
services (e.g. FedEx, UPS, DHL) which offer tracking and receipt confirmation; and (4) the
Washington State Campus mail system. For electronic transmission, the Washington State
Governmental Network (SGN) is a Trusted System for communications within that Network.
g. "Unique User ID" means a string of characters that identifies a specific user and which, in
conjunction with a password, passphrase, or other mechanism, authenticates a user to an
information system.
2. Confidential Information Transmitting.
a. When transmitting HCA's Confidential Information electronically, including via email, the Data must
be encrypted using NIST 800-series approved algorithms
(http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/PubsSEs.html). This includes transmission over the public internet.
b. When transmitting HCA's Confidential Information via paper documents, the Receiving Party must
HCA Contract Services
7017CF County Program Agreement(07-16-2018) Page 7
Special Terms & Conditions
use a Trusted System.
3. Protection of Confidential Information. The County agrees to store Confidential Information as
described:
a. Data at Rest:
(1) Data will be encrypted with NIST 800-series approved algorithms. Encryption keys will be stored
and protected independently of the data. Access to the Data will be restricted to Authorized
Users through the use of access control lists, a Unique User ID, and a Hardened Password, or
other authentication mechanisms which provide equal or greater security, such as biometrics or
smart cards. Systems which contain or provide access to Confidential Information must be
located in an area that is accessible only to authorized personnel, with access controlled
through use of a key, card key, combination lock, or comparable mechanism.
(2) Data stored on Portable/Removable Media or Devices:
(a) Confidential Information provided by HCA on Removable Media will be encrypted with NIST
800-series approved algorithms. Encryption keys will be stored and protected independently
of the Data.
(b) HCA's data must not be stored by the Receiving Parry on Portable Devices or Media unless
specifically authorized within the Data Share Agreement. If so authorized, the Receiving
Parry must protect the Data by:
i. Encrypting with NIST 800-series approved algorithms. Encryption keys will be stored
and protected independently of the data;
ii. Control access to the devices with a Unique User ID and Hardened Password or
stronger authentication method such as a physical token or biometrics;
iii. Keeping devices in locked storage when not in use;
iv. Using check-in/check-out procedures when devices are shared;
v. Maintain an inventory of devices; and
vi. Ensure that when being transported outside of a Secured Area, all devices with Data are
under the physical control of an Authorized User.
(c) Paper documents. Any paper records containing Confidential Information must be protected
by storing the records in a Secured Area that is accessible only to authorized personnel.
When not in use, such records must be stored in a locked container, such as a file cabinet,
locking drawer, or safe, to which only authorized persons have access.
4. Confidential Information Segregation.
HCA Confidential Information received under this Agreement must be segregated or otherwise
distinguishable from non-HCA data. This is to ensure that when no longer needed by the County, all
HCA Confidential Information can be identified for return or destruction. It also aids in determining
whether HCA Confidential Information has or may have been compromised in the event of a security
Breach.
HCA Contract Services
7017CF County Program Agreement(07-16-2018) Page 8
Special Terms & Conditions
a. The HCA Confidential Information must be kept in one of the following ways:
(1) on media (e.g. hard disk, optical disc, tape, etc.) which will contain only HCA Data; or
(2) in a logical container on electronic media, such as a partition or folder dedicated to HCA's Data;
or
(3) in a database that will contain only HCA Data; or
(4) within a database and will be distinguishable from non-HCA Data by the value of a specific field
or fields within database records; or
(5) when stored as physical paper documents, physically segregated from non-HCA Data in a
drawer, folder, or other container.
b. When it is not feasible or practical to segregate HCA Confidential Information from non-HCA data,
then both the HCA Confidential Information and the non-HCA data with which it is commingled must
be protected as described in this Attachment.
5. Confidential Information Shared with Subcontractors.
If HCA Confidential Information provided under this Agreement is to be shared with a Subcontractor,
the Contract with the Subcontractor must include all of the Confidential Information Security
Requirements.
6. Confidential Information Disposition.
When the Confidential Information is no longer needed, except as noted below, the Confidential
Information must be returned to HCA or destroyed. Media are to be destroyed using a method
documented within NIST 800-88 (http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/PubsSPs.html).
For HCA's Confidential Information stored on network disks, deleting unneeded Confidential
Information is sufficient as long as the disks remain in a Secured Area and otherwise meet the
requirements listed in Section 3, above. Destruction of the Confidential Information as outlined in this
section of this Attachment may be deferred until the disks are retired, replaced, or otherwise taken out
of the Secured Area.
HCA Contract Services
7017CF County Program Agreement(07-16-2018) Page 9
Special Terms & Conditions
Attachment 2
Substance Use Disorder Optional Services and Activities Allowable under CJTA
Service
Brief Intervention (Any Level, Assessment not Required)
Acute Withdrawal Management (ASAM Level 3.2WM)
Sub-Acute Withdrawal Management (ASAM Level 3.2WM)
Outpatient Treatment (ASAM Level 1)
Intensive Outpatient Treatment (ASAM Level 2.1)
Opiate Substitution Treatment (ASAM Level 1)
Case Management (Level 1, 2)
Intensive Inpatient Residential Treatment (ASAM Level 3.5)
Long-term Care Residential Treatment (ASAM Level 3.3)
Recovery House Residential Treatment (ASAM Level 3.1)
Assessment (to include Assessments done while in jail)
Interim Services
Community Outreach
Involuntary Commitment Investigations and Treatment
Room and Board (Residential Treatment Only)
Transportation
Childcare Services
Urinalysis
Treatment in the Jail (limited to 8 sessions)
Employment services and job training
Relapse Prevention
Family/Marriage education
Peer-to-peer services, mentoring and coaching
Self-help and support groups
Housing Support Services (rent and/or deposits)
Life Skills
Spiritual and faith-based support
Education
Parent education and child development
HCA Contract Services
7017CF County Program Agreement(07-16-2018) Page 10
PUBLIC WORKS
MONDAY OCTOBER 1,2018— BRIEFING ITEMS
FROM PUBLIC WORKS
For Commissioners Meeting October 9,2018)
5.0 CORRESPONDENCE AND ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS
8.0 APPROVAL OF ACTION ITEM
• Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement for Washington State for Intrastate Water/Wastewater
Agency Response Network(WARN).
• Kim Delany and Family Adopt-A-Road Application for Agate Road from MP.3.83 to MP 4.83
• Updating the Right of Way Acquisition Procedure for Public Works Projects
9.0 OTHER BUSINESS
(None)
10.0 PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ITEMS SET FOR A CERTAIN TIME
(None)
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
• Belfair Freight Planning
• Teamster/Operator position
Attendees:
Commissioners: Public Works: Other Dept.: Press: Public:
_Randy Neatherlin _Jerry Hauth List below: List below List Below:
_Kevin Shutty _John Huestis
_Terri Drexler _Bart Stepp
Others-List below:
WORKSESSION
• 2019 Annual Construction Program & 6-Year TIP (2019-2024)
Attendees:
Commissioners: Public Works: Other Dept.: Press: Public:
_Randy Neatherlin _Jerry Hauth List below: List below List Below:
_Kevin Shutty _John Huestis
_Terri Drexler _Bart Stepp
Others-List below:
MASON COUNTY
BRIEFING ITEM SUMMARY FORM
TO: BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
FROM: Bart Stepp, Deputy Director/ Utilities and Waste Management
DEPARTMENT: Public Works EXT: 652
BRIEFING DATE: October 1, 2018
ITEM: Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) Membership
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In the State of Washington there is a large group of utilities
that are part of the Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN). It is very
similar to the interlocal aid agreement that we have with the City of Bremerton, but the
large amount of utilities in the group allows for assistance from many other utilities
through only one agreement.
I have attached a copy of the Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement the County would
need to sign along with a brochure that touches on the highlights of the program.
Staff recommends joining the WARN and signing the Mutual Aid Agreement.
Cost Impact to the County: Costs would only incur if we request assistance from a
fellow agency due to an issue we are unable to handle ourselves. Costs could include
payment for equipment, materials, or labor. The costs would be paid for out of the utility
fund for whatever utility benefitted from the assistance. General expense funds would not
be used.
If we provided assistance to another utility, that utility would reimburse the Mason County
our costs to provide that assistance.
RECOMMENDED OR REQUESTED ACTION: Recommend the Board of Commissioners
authorize the Deputy Director/Utilities and Waste Management to sign the Mutual Aid and
Assistance Agreement for Washington State for Intrastate Water/Wastewater Agency
Response Network (WARN).
Attachment
1. Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement for Washington State for Intrastate
Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN)
2. Washington WARN Brochure
Briefing Summary
Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement for Washington State for Intrastate
WaterfWastewater Agency Response Network (WARN)
As of: 04/13/09
This Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into by public water and
wastewater utilities that have executed this Agreement.
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE
Recognizing that emergencies may require aid or assistance in the form of personnel,
equipment, and supplies from outside the area of impact, the signatories hereby
establish an Intrastate Network for Mutual Aid and Assistance (the "Network").
Through the Network, Members (as further defined in this Agreement) may coordinate
response activities and share resources during emergencies.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS
A. Authorized Official — An employee or officer of a Member agency that is
authorized to:
1. Request assistance;
2. Offer assistance;
3. Decline to offer assistance;
4. Decline to accept offers of assistance, and
5. Withdraw assistance under this Agreement.
B. Emergency — A natural or human-caused event or circumstance causing, or
imminently threatening to cause, loss of life, injury to person or property, human
suffering, significant financial loss, or damage to environment. For example,
Emergencies may include fire, explosion, flood, severe weather, drought, earthquake,
volcanic activity, spills or releases of oil or hazardous material, contamination, utility or
transportation emergencies, disease, blight, infestation, civil disturbance, riot,
intentional acts, sabotage and war that are, or could reasonably be beyond the
capability of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of a Member to fully
manage and mitigate by itself.
C. Member — Any public agency which provides supply, transmission or
distribution of water; or collection, conveyance or treatment services of storm water or
waste water that executes this Agreement (individually a "Member" and collectively the
"Members"). The Members are further classified as follows:
1. Requesting Member —A Member who requests aid or assistance under the
Network.
2. Responding Member — A Member that responds to a request for aid or
assistance under the Network.
D. Period of Assistance — The period of time when a Responding Member
Page 1 of 10
Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement for Washington State WARN
assists a Requesting Member in response to a Request for Assistance. The Period of
Assistance commences when personnel, equipment, or supplies depart from
Responding Member's facility and ends when all of the resources return to the
Responding Member's facility (i.e., portal to portal).
E. National Incident Management System (NIMS): The national, standardized
system for incident management and response that sets uniform processes and
procedures for emergency response operations.
F. Associate —Any non-utility participant approved by the Statewide Committee
that provides a support role for the Network (such as the State Department of Health).
An Associate does not execute this Agreement.
ARTICLE III
ADMINISTRATION
The Network is administered through Regional Committees and a Statewide
Committee.
A. Regional Committees. The State is divided into regions that are
geographically the same as the existing Department of Health Office of Drinking Water
regions of the state, with the exception that the eastern region is divided to create a
central region. Each region has a Regional Committee. Each Member within a region
may appoint one person to be a member of its Regional Committee. Only those
Regional Committee members appointed by Members are entitled to vote on matters
before the Regional Committee. An Associate may be a non-voting member of a
Regional Committee. Each Regional Committee shall elect a Chair by majority vote of
the voting members of that Regional Committee and shall meet annually to review the
operations and procedures of the Network.
B. Statewide Committee. The Chairs of the Regional Committees are the
voting members of the Statewide Committee. An Associate may be a non-voting
member of the Statewide Committee. Further, the Statewide Committee also may
include as non-voting members representatives from the Washington State
Department of Health Office of Drinking Water, Washington State Department of
Ecology, Washington State Emergency Management Division, Rural Community
Assistance Corporation, Evergreen Rural Water of Washington, Washington State
Public Health Laboratory, EPA Region 10, Washington Association of Sewer and
Water Districts, and the Washington PUD Association. Under the leadership of a
Statewide Committee Chair elected by majority vote of the voting members of the
Statewide Committee, the Statewide Committee shall plan and coordinate emergency
planning and response activities for the Network.
C. Members' administrative activities shall be voluntary and members shall not
be required to finance the administration of the Network, nor shall the Network hold
real or personal property.
Page 2 of 10
Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement for Washington State WARN
ARTICLE IV
PROCEDURES
In coordination with the Regional Committees, and emergency management and
public health systems of the State, the Statewide Committee shall develop and adopt
operational and planning procedures for the Network that are consistent with this
Agreement. The Statewide Committee shall review these procedures at least annually
and shall update them as needed.
ARTICLE V
REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE
A. Member Information: Promptly after executing this Agreement, the
signatory Member shall deliver the following to the Statewide Committee: (1) a
certified copy of the action of Member's governing body that authorized the signing of
this Agreement and (2) an original signed Agreement. Each Member shall identify an
Authorized Official and one alternate Authorized Official. Each Member shall provide
current 24-hour contact information for its Authorized Officials to the Statewide
Committee, which shall maintain a current list of all Members and the contact
information for their Authorized Officials. The Statewide Committee shall provide to all
Members an updated version of this list annually and whenever there is an addition or
withdrawal of a Member and whenever there is a change of Authorized Officials'
contact information.
B. Request for Assistance. In the event of an Emergency, a Member's
Authorized Official may request mutual aid and assistance from Members ("Request
for Assistance"). Requests for Assistance may be made orally or in writing, provided
that when a Request for Assistance is made orally, the Requesting Member shall, as
soon as practicable, identify and transmit in writing the personnel, equipment and
supplies requested. Requesting Members shall direct Requests for Assistance to
Authorized Officials. The Statewide Committee shall provide specific protocols for
Requests for Assistance as part of the procedures created pursuant to Article IV of this
Agreement.
C. Response to a Request for Assistance — Members are not obligated to
respond to a Request for Assistance. After a Member receives a Request for
Assistance, the receiving Member's Authorized Official shall evaluate whether to
respond to the Request for Assistance, whether resources are available to respond, or
if other circumstances would hinder response. Following the evaluation, the
Authorized Official shall inform, as soon as possible, the Requesting Member whether
the Member will respond to the Request for Assistance. If the Member is willing and
able to provide assistance, the Member shall inform the Requesting Member of the
type of available resources and the approximate arrival time of such assistance.
D. Discretion of Responding Member's Authorized Official — No Member has
any duty to respond to a Request for Assistance. When a Member receives a
Request for Assistance, the Authorized Official shall have sole and absolute discretion
Page 3 of 10
Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement for Washington State WARN
as to whether or not to respond to the Request for Assistance, and if responding in the
affirmative, to determine the availability of resources to be made available to the
Requesting Member. The response of a Member's Authorized Official regarding the
availability of resources to a Requesting Member shall be final.
E. No Liability for Failure to Respond — No Member will be liable to any other
Member for deciding not to respond to a Request for Assistance or otherwise failing to
respond to a Request for Assistance. All Members hereby waive all claims against all
other Members arising from or relating to any Member's decision to not respond to a
Request for Assistance or to any Member's failure to respond to a Request for
Assistance.
ARTICLE VI
RESPONDING MEMBER PERSONNEL
A. National Incident Management System-When providing assistance under this
Agreement, the Requesting Member and Responding Member are encouraged (but are
not obligated) to be organized and function under NIMS.
B. Coordination and Records — Employees of the Responding Member will
remain under the direction and control of the Responding Member to the fullest extent
possible. The Responding Member is an independent contractor at all times. The
Requesting Member's Authorized Official shall coordinate response activities with the
designated supervisor(s) of the Responding Member(s). The Responding Member's
designated supervisor(s) shall keep accurate records of work performed by personnel
during the Period of Assistance and for the equipment and supplies provided during
work.
C. Food and Shelter — Whenever practical, Responding Member personnel
must be self sufficient for up to seventy-two (72) hours. Whenever practical, the
Requesting Member shall supply adequate food and shelter for Responding Member
personnel. If the Requesting Member is unable to provide food and shelter for
Responding Member personnel, the Responding Member's designated supervisor is
authorized to secure the food and shelter necessary to meet the needs of its
personnel.
D. Communication — The Requesting Member shall provide Responding
Member personnel with communications equipment as available, radio frequency
information to program existing radios if appropriate, or telephone contact numbers, in
order to facilitate communications with local responders and utility personnel. Each
Requesting Member shall provide contact information for an individual with whom
Responding Member's personnel may coordinate while en-route for access, staging
instructions and other logistical requirements.
E. Status - Unless otherwise provided by law, the Responding Member's
officers and employees shall have the same powers, duties, rights, privileges, and
immunities as if they were performing their duties in the jurisdiction in which they are
Page 4 of 10
Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement for Washington State WARN
normally employed.
F. Licenses and Permits — To the extent permitted by law, Responding
Member personnel that hold licenses, certificates, or permits evidencing professional,
mechanical, or other skills shall be allowed to carry out activities and tasks relevant
and related to their respective credentials during a Period of Assistance.
ARTICLE VII
RIGHT TO WITHDRAW RESOURCES
A. Right to Withdraw - A Responding Member may withdraw some or all of its
resources at any time for any reason, as determined in the Responding Member's sole
and absolute discretion. The Responding Member shall communicate written or oral
notice of intention to withdraw all or some of a Responding Member's resources to the
Requesting Member's Authorized Official as soon as practicable under the
circumstances. To the greatest extent possible, but without limiting in any way a
Responding Member's sole and absolute discretion, a Responding Member's
determination to withdraw some or all of its resources provided to a Requesting
Member should consider the status of the incident and incident stability, to minimize
any adverse impacts from the withdrawal of resources by a Responding Member.
B. No Liability for Withdrawal - No Member will be liable to any other Member
for first responding to a Request for Assistance by providing resources (such as
personnel, materials, and equipment) and later withdrawing or refusing to continue to
provide some or all of those resources. All Members hereby waive all claims against
all Members arising from or relating to such a withdrawal or refusal.
ARTICLE VIII
COST- REIMBURSEMENT
The Requesting Member shall reimburse the Responding Member for all costs
incurred by the Responding Member during a Period of Assistance, unless otherwise
agreed in writing by both Members.
A. Personnel — The Requesting Member shall reimburse the Responding
Member for personnel costs incurred for work performed during a Period of
Assistance. Responding Member personnel costs will be calculated according to the
terms provided in their employment contracts, hourly rate schedules or other
conditions of employment. The Responding Member's designated supervisor(s) shall
keep accurate records of work performed by personnel during a Period of Assistance.
The Requesting Member shall include in its reimbursement of the Responding
Member all personnel costs, including salaries or hourly wages, costs for fringe
benefits, and indirect costs.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Requesting Member shall reimburse the
Responding Member for all reasonable and necessary costs associated with providing
food and shelter for the Responding Member's personnel, if the food and shelter are
Page 5 of 10
Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement for Washington State WARN
not provided by the Requesting Member. The Requesting Member is not required to
reimburse the Responding Member for food and shelter costs in excess of State per
diem rates unless the Responding Member demonstrates in writing that the excess
costs were reasonable and necessary under the circumstances.
B. Equipment — The Requesting Member shall reimburse the Responding
Member for the use of equipment during a Period of Assistance, including, but not
limited to, reasonable rental rates, all fuel, lubrication, maintenance, transportation,
and loading/unloading of loaned equipment. The Requesting Member shall return all
equipment to the Responding Member in good working order as soon as is practicable
and reasonable under the circumstances. If equipment cannot be returned in good
working order, then Requesting Member shall either provide in-kind replacement
equipment to Responding Member at no cost to Responding Member or pay to
Responding Member the actual replacement cost of the equipment. Reimbursement
rates for equipment use will be no less than the Federal Emergency Management
Agency's (FEMA) Schedule of Equipment Rates. If a Responding Member uses rates
different from those in the FEMA Schedule of Equipment Rates, the Responding
Member shall provide such rates orally or in writing to the Requesting Member prior to
supplying the equipment. If reimbursement rates are to be different than those in the
FEMA Schedule of Equipment rates, Responding Member and Requesting Member
shall agree in writing on which rates will be used prior to dispatch of the equipment to
the Requesting Member. Requesting Member shall reimburse for equipment not
referenced on the FEMA Schedule of Equipment Rates based on actual recovery of
costs. If a Responding Member is required to lease equipment while its equipment is
being repaired because of damage due to use during a Period of Assistance,
Requesting Member shall reimburse Responding Member for such rental costs.
C. Materials and Supplies — The Requesting Member shall reimburse the
Responding Member in kind or at actual replacement cost, plus handling charges, for
use of expendable or non-returnable supplies by the Responding Member during a
Period of Assistance. The Responding Member shall not charge direct fees or rental
charges to the Requesting Member for other supplies and reusable items that are
returned to the Responding Member in a clean, damage-free condition. Reusable
supplies that are returned to the Responding Member with damage will be treated as
expendable supplies for purposes of cost reimbursement.
D. Payment Period — In order to be reimbursed, the Responding Member shall
provide an itemized bill to the Requesting Member no later than ninety (90) days
following the end of the Period of Assistance for all expenses incurred by the
Responding Member while providing assistance to a Requesting Member under this
Agreement. The Responding Member may request additional time to submit the
itemized bill, and Requesting Member shall not unreasonably withhold consent to such
a request. The Requesting Member shall pay the itemized bill in full on or before the
forty-fifth (45th) day following the billing date. The Requesting Member may request
additional time to pay the itemized bill, and Responding Member shall not
unreasonably withhold consent to such a request, but in no event will payment in full
occur later than one year after the date a final itemized bill is submitted to the
Page 6 of 10
Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement for Washington State WARN
Requesting Member. If a Responding Member disputes a portion of an itemized bill,
the Requesting Member shall promptly pay those portions of the bill not under dispute,
pending the resolution of the payment of the disputed portion of the bill.
E. Records - Where a Responding Member provides assistance to a
Requesting Member under this Agreement, both Members shall provide the other
Member access to the books, documents, notes, reports, papers and other records
relevant to this Agreement for the purposes of reviewing the accuracy of a cost bill or
making or undergoing a financial, maintenance or regulatory audit. Both Members
shall maintain these records for at least three (3) years or longer where required by
law.
ARTICLE IX
DISPUTES
NEGOTIATION
Members shall first attempt to resolve any controversy, claim or other dispute arising
out of or relating to this Agreement by direct negotiation.
MEDIATION
To the extent not resolved by direct negotiation, Members shall mediate any
controversy, claim or other dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
Mediation is a condition precedent to arbitration. Unless the disputing Members agree
otherwise, the mediation will be administered by the American Arbitration Association
(AAA) under its Construction Industry Mediation Procedures. The disputing Members
shall pay in equal shares the mediator's fee and any filing fees. Unless otherwise
agreed by the disputing Members, the disputing Members shall (1) hold the mediation
no later than thirty (30) days after a disputing Member delivers a request for mediation
to the other disputing Members and (2) hold the mediation at the location of the
Requesting Member. Agreements reached in mediation will be enforceable as
settlement agreements.
ARBITRATION
To the extent not resolved by mediation, Members shall arbitrate all controversies,
claims and other disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Unless the
disputing Members agree otherwise, the arbitration will be administered by the AAA in
accordance with its Construction Industry Arbitration Rules in effect on the date a
disputing Member makes a demand for arbitration. A disputing Member may make a
demand for arbitration before negotiation or mediation if it appears that a claim might
be barred by a statute of limitations if the demand were made after the negotiation or
mediation. However, in such a case the arbitration will be stayed until the conclusion
of negotiation and mediation. The decision and award rendered by the arbitrator(s)
shall be final, and judgment may be entered upon it in accordance with applicable law
in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
Page 7 of 10
Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement for Washington State WARN
ARTICLE X
DUTY TO INDEMNIFY
To the extent of its fault, a Member shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless all
other Members, their elected officials, Authorized Officials, officers, employees and
agents from any and all costs, claims, judgments, losses, awards of damage, injury,
death and liability of every kind, nature and description, including the reasonable cost
of defense and attorneys' fees, directly or indirectly arising from or relating to this
Agreement (collectively, "Indemnified Claims"). This indemnity obligation extends to all
Indemnified Claims against a Member by an employee or former employee of another
Member, and for this purpose, by mutual negotiation, each Member hereby expressly
waives, with respect to each other Member only, all immunity and limitation under any
applicable industrial insurance act, including Title 51 of the Revised Code of
Washington, other worker compensation acts, disability benefit acts or other employee
benefit act of any jurisdiction which would otherwise be applicable in the case of
Indemnified Claims.
ARTICLE XI
WORKER'S COMPENSATION AND SITE CONDITIONS
The Responding Member is responsible for providing worker's compensation benefits
and administering worker's compensation for its employees. The Requesting Member is
responsible for providing worker's compensation benefits and administering worker's
compensation for its employees.
Each Member shall promptly identify to the other Members concerns about site safety,
environmental concerns, and other working conditions. The Safety Officer appointed
within the Incident Command System during the Period of Assistance shall address
specific safety conditions and mitigations.
ARTICLE XII
NOTICE
Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices must be in writing. Notice to a
Member must be delivered to the Member's Authorized Official.
ARTICLE XIII
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Agreement shall be effective with respect to each Member when that
Member's authorized representative executes the Agreement. The Statewide
Committee shall maintain a master list of all Members.
ARTICLE XIV
WITHDRAWAL
Page 8 of 10
Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement for Washington State WARN
A Member may withdraw from this Agreement at any time by providing to the
Statewide Committee Chair written notice of withdrawal signed by the withdrawing
Member's Authorized Official or other person authorized by the withdrawing Member's
governing body. Any withdrawal will be effective upon receipt by the Statewide
Committee Chair of the notice of intent to withdraw. If there is no Statewide
Committee Chair, the withdrawing Member shall provide written notice to each
Member in its region, and the withdrawal will be effective upon delivery of those
notices. Once withdrawal from this Agreement is effective, the withdrawing Member
will have no further obligations under this Agreement, except that withdrawal from this
Agreement will not affect any indemnification or reimbursement obligation under this
Agreement that arises prior to the effective date of the withdrawal.
ARTICLE XV
TERMINATION
This Agreement shall terminate in its entirety when there are less than two Members.
Termination of this Agreement will not affect any indemnification or reimbursement
obligation under this Agreement arising prior to the termination. The Statewide
Committee Chair shall provide written notice of termination to all remaining Members
of the Agreement.
ARTICLE XVI
AMENDMENT
This Agreement may be amended if, after written notice of a proposed amendment to
all Members, the proposed amendment is approved by a majority of Members in each
region. The Statewide Committee Chair shall provide written notice to all Members of
approved amendments. Approved amendments will take effect sixty (60) days after
the date the notice is sent to the Members.
ARTICLE XVII
SEVERABILITY
The parties agree that if any term or provision of this Agreement is declared by a court
of competent jurisdiction to be illegal or in conflict with any law, the validity of the
remaining terms and provisions shall not be affected, and the rights and obligations of
the parties shall be construed and enforced as if the Agreement did not contain the
particular term or provision held to be invalid.
ARTICLE XVIII
PROHIBITION ON THIRD PARTIES AND ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS/DUTIES
Notwithstanding rights of subrogation asserted by a Member's insurance provider, this
Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Members and no other person or entity shall
have any rights under this Agreement as a third party beneficiary nor shall any
Member owe duty to a third party not a signatory of this Agreement by virtue of this
Agreement. Assignments of benefits and delegations of duties created by this
Page 9 of 10
Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement for Washington State WARN
Agreement are prohibited and of no effect.
ARTICLE XIX
GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement is governed by the law of the State of Washington, specifically RCW
39.34, Interlocal Cooperation Act.
ARTICLE XX
EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different
parties in separate counterparts. Each counterpart when so executed shall be deemed
to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same
Agreement.
The water and wastewater utility listed below executed this Agreement on this
day of 201 .
Water/Wastewater Utility:
By: By:
Title: Title
Please Print Name Please Print Name
Approved as to form
By:
Attorney for Member
Please Print Name
Page 10 of 10
Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement for Washington State WARN
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WARN : Utilities Helping Utilities
What is WARN? Are member utilities require to respond How is WARN
WARN is a Water/Wastewater Agency and send resources? different from an -
Response Network that allows water and There is no obligation to respond. It is up to existing statewide
wastewater systems to receive rapid mutual the lending utility to determine if resources mutual aid
aid and assistance from other systems in are available. program managed --}
an emergency. Utilities sign the WARN by emergency -'
standard agreement which then allows them What role does the Agreement play? management? ~
to share resources with any other system During an emergency, the process and WARN `x t
in Washington that has also signed the procedures to give and receive assistance agreements do
agreement. are governed by articles in the WARN not require a
How does a utility agreement. The agreement covers issues local declaration
get assistance
such as requesting assistance, giving of emergency.
during an assistance, reimbursement, workers' Statewide
emergency? compensation, insurance, liability, and programs do not
IN The WARN dispute resolution. include private
utilities; WARN
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resources or use
a state specific What are the benefits of WARN?
process of • There is no cost to participate and it's voluntary.
requesting aid. • Increases emergency preparedness and coordination.
• Provides a single agreement to access resources statewide.
• The agreement contains provisions to protect participating utilities.
• The agreement also provides for cost reimbursement.
• Both private and public utilities may participate.
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MASON COUNTY
BRIEFING ITEM SUMMARY FORM
TO: BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
FROM: Jerry W. Hauth, PE, Director/County Engineer
Loretta Swanson Technical Services Manager
DEPARTMENT: Public Works EXT: 450
BRIEFING DATE: October 11 2018
PREVIOUS BRIEFING DATES:
(If this is a follow-up briefing,please pro vide only new information,)
ITEM: Adopt A Road Agreement - Agate Road
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Volunteers from the Delany Family have submitted an application and a signed
agreement to pick up roadside litter. Public Works recommends approval and
execution of an Adopt-A-Road Agreement with Kim Delany and Family.
BACKGROUND:
Chapter 12.48 of the Mason County code establishes an Adopt-A-Road litter
control program allowing volunteers to pick up roadside litter. An application
and signed agreement have been submitted by Kim Delany and Family. The
authorized volunteer representatives are Kim Delany and David Cocchi.
It has been determined that the organization is eligible to participate in the
program. Public Works Transportation Technician, Tim Rhoades, met with
volunteers on September 21, 2018 to go over risks, responsibilities, safety rules
and answer any questions.
The Agreement is for a period of two years and volunteers commit to picking up
litter at least twice per year along with other conditions spelled out in the
Agreement. Public Works agrees to furnish and pick up trash bags, provide
safety materials and training aids, along with other provisions spelled out in the
Agreement. Pick up and disposal of the trash happens under the Community
Litter Cleanup program overseen by the Sheriff's office.
RECOMMENDED OR REQUESTED ACTION:
Move that the Board approve executing an Adopt-A-Road Agreement between
Mason County and Kim Delany and Family.
Attachments: Application
Agreement
Assigned Road Section Map
P
1
APPENDIX 1
Date Application Received
To be filled in by County
ADOPT-A-ROAD
APPLICATION
�-Too 9 75-9 Z-
Name of Volunteer Organiza6on
y/9U !¢Ga k -/Ze, z,)4
Mailing Address, City, State, ZIP Code
List the sections of road you are interested in Cleaning in order of preference:
Al
Road Name Vicinity /
�n 18- To �, o7e
Road ame Vanity
3.
Road Name Vicinity
Sections of County road are assigned on a safety and first-come, first-serve basis. If the sections your
group have identified above are not available the Mason County Public Works Department will suggest
other alternatives.
Volunteer Organization Representatives:
Signature: Representative Name of Representative(Pi4ft or Type)
y/ go C, ar / S�ie/�rrri 404 9958 y
Mailing Address, City, St6te, Zip Code
360 —2_e0 -2_&&c) '-Czrn e
Day phone number Evening phone number
Zmll�l coacht ,
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Signature: Representative#2 Name of Representative (Print or Type)
360 -3✓3 -U/7(0 �'cz�-rl
Day phone number Evening phone number
Return this application to:
Adopt-A-Road Coordinator
Mason County Public Works
100 W Public Works Drive
Shelton,WA 98584
5
i
ADOPT-A-ROAD APPENDIX 2
AGREEMENT
Page 1 of 4
ADO PT-A-ROAD
AGREEMENT
This agreement is made and entered into this day and between Mason County, a municipal subdivision of
the State of Washington herein known as the"County" and
E1al7 - /1/e/ h&I-X qUC/ 1 174w— ;a volunteer organization
herein known as the "Gran ". em�x T CX PCu f jv�p //G ' 375`72
Whereas, the County has the authority to establish a County-wide Adopt-A Road Litter Control Program
(Adopt-A-Road Program) pursuant to RCW 47.40; and
Whereas the Grantee wishes to contribute toward the effort to reduce roadside fitter by volunteering to
assist in picking up titter on the section of road specified herein;
Now,therefore,the County does hereby authorize the Grantee to participate in the Adopt-A-Road Program
by picking litter within the assigned section of County road designated below, in accordance with the
following terms and conditions_
A. The Grantee does hereby agree:.
1. To conduct dean up activities in a safe manner and under any conditions as may be required by
the County for the safety of the participants. Safety of participants is the number one priority of
the program, and the volunteer organization agrees to take full responsibility for the safety of
each of its participants.
2. To assign a leader to each cleanup crew, and that crew leader shall have a copy of this
agreement with him/her during the cleanup activity.
3. To pick up litter no less than four times per year. Additional dean ups should be done as
necessary to maintain a neat appearance. Recommended interval for cleanup is once every
three months..
4. To furnish and require all participants wear a hard hat and safety vest during cleanup activities.
5. To allow no more the ten people to participate in the cleanup activity at one time over a one-mile
section.
6. To have no more than two vehicles per one-mile section of assigned road parked on the County
road shoukierwithin the assigned area during a cleanup activity. (A minimum number of vehicles
shall be used to transport the participants to the assigned area.) All parking of vehicles shall be
in compliance with State law.
7. To require that all participants shall be 15 years of age or older. The Grantee shall furnish
supervision by one more adults for every eight (8) minors (between ages of 15 to 18 years of
age) participating in the cleanup activity.
6
ADOPT-A-ROAD APPENDIX 2
AGREEMENT
Page 2 of 4
8. To conduct a yearly safety training session for volunteers utilizing materials and training aids
provided by the County prior to participating in a roadside cleanup.
9. Provide supplies and materials from Mason County Building I during regular business hours at
the address shown on page 4 of this agreement.
10. To place filled trash bags at the County road shoulder for pickup and disposal by the County and
notify the County at the time of cleanup to'coordinate the pickup time and locations.
11. To notify the County immediately in the event of any emergency on County road right-of-way.
Participants who find anything that is hazardous or suspected to be hazardous shall not touch,
but take appropriate precautions flag it and leave it for disposal by the proper authorities.
Participants shall also not pick up syringes, hypodermic needles, or exceptionally large, heavy
or unyielding objects. These kinds of materials should be flagged and the County notified as
soon as possible to arrange for proper disposal.
12. Cleanups shall not be scheduled during a legal holiday, during the afternoon on the day before
a legal holiday,or during holiday weekends.
13. To provide the County a roster(Medical Aid Coverage Record)of individual participants in the
cleanup within seven(7) calendar days following the cleanup activity.
14. To report any injuries,incurred by participants during cleanup activities,to the County,within two
(2) working days of the injury. Notification shall include:
o Name of injured person
o Nature of injury
o Date and time of injury
o How the injury occurred
15. Furnish to the County an"Adopt A-Road Registration Form" for each of the participants taking
part in litter pickup activities_
16. It is recommended that the Grantee have a first aid kit available at the cleanup site,and at least
one person with a valid First Aid Card be present during cleanup activities_
B. The County does hereby agree to:
1. To designate a program administrator to act as a contact person for this agreement.
2. To furnish and install a maximum of two (2)Adopt A-Road signs with the Grantee name and/or
acronym displayed within the assigned area.
3. Furnish the Grantee with trash bags.
4. Remove the filled trash bags from County road shoulder upon notification by Grantee.
7
i
ADOPT-A-ROAD APPENDIX 2
AGREEMENT
Page 3 of 4
S. Assist the Grantee,in cleaning up litter if necessary(.e.,when large,heavy,or hazardous items
are found).
6. Provide safety materials and training aids to the Grantee's representative for use by the Grantee
in training participants.
7. To furnish a portable"Volunteer Litter Crew Ahead" advanced warning sign and stand,and make
available hard hats,safety vests for all participants,and other equipment as deemed necessary
(a deposit may be necessary)_
C_ General Conditions:
1. Recycling is an accepted and encouraged activity. Recyclable items collected by participants
may be removed from the site at the option of the Grantee. Profits from the sale of recyclable
items shall belong to the Grantee.
2. The County may suspend this agreement temporarily because of future construction that will take
place within the limits of the assigned area. Once these have been completed,the Grantee will
be notified and the agreement restored.
3. The terms of this agreement shall commence on the date of execution indicated below,and shall
end on the date of termination unless terminated by the County, or the Grantee on 30 days
notice. Upon termination of this agreement the Adopt-A-Road sign shall be removed and remain
the property of the Department.
i
8 I
ADOPT-A-ROAD APPENDIX 2
AGREEMENT
Page 4 of 4
D. ASSIGNED ROAD SECTION: Office Use Only
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Side of roadway: North South East West (Circle assigned side/s)
Date of Execution: Date of Termination:January 31.
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Chairman of the-Board, Mason County Return To:
Mason County Public Works
100 W Public Works Drive
Shelton,WA 98584
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MASON COUNTY
BRIEFING ITEM SUMMARY FORM
TO: BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
FROM: Jerry W. Hauth, PE, Director/County Engineer
Loretta Swanson Technical Services Manager
DEPARTMENT: Public Works EXT: 450
BRIEFING DATE: October 1, 2018
PREVIOUS BRIEFING DATES:
ITEM: Right of Way Acquisition Procedures for Public Works Projects
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Mason County is required by the Washington State Department of
Transportation (WSDOT) to adopt written procedures that pledge the County to
acquire real property and rights of way in accordance with the State Uniform
Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act (RCW 8.26), state
regulations (WAC 468-100) and applicable federal regulations.
Mason County Board of County Commissioners adopted the current Right of
Way Acquisition Procedures for Public Works Projects January 7, 2014
(Resolution 01-14). Public Works wishes to update the procedures reflecting
changes in personnel and utilizing the most current WSDOT forms. The new
procedures have been reviewed by WSDOT and consist of the following
documents:
■ ROW Acquisition Procedures (LPA001)
■ Appraisal Waiver Procedures (LPA003)
• Administrative Settlement Policy
• ROW Qualifications
A resolution replacing Resolution 01-14 is attached.
RECOMMENDED OR REQUESTED ACTION:
Recommend the Board of County Commissioners approve the resolution
adopting the updated Real Property and Right of Way Acquisition Procedure for
Public Works Projects; replacing those found in Resolution 01-14 and the Chair
and County Engineer to sign the procedures.
Attachments:
Resolution
Updated Right of Way Procedures
RESOLUTION NO.
REPLACING RESOLUTION 01-14
UPDATING THE REAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION PROCEDURES
FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS
WHEREAS, The Mason County Department of Public Works engages in projects designed to
improve the County's transportation infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, said projects frequently require securing property rights and acquisition of
additional right of way from abutting property owners; and
WHEREAS, certain federal and state laws and regulations set forth procedures for the
acquisition of real property, including rights of way; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners finds that adherence to said laws and
regulations in all real property and right of way acquisition activities of County staff is appropriate and
required; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 01-14, approved January 7, 2013 adopted the County Real Property
and Right of Way Acquisition Procedures; and
WHEREAS, it is timely to update these procedures to reflect changes to personnel and
implement current WSDOT form.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mason County Board of Commissioners that
Real Property Acquisition Procedures for Public Works Projects found in Exhibit A, attached hereto,
are hereby adopted and mandated for use by Public Works staff in connection with all transportation
improvement projects and other activities in pursuit of the Public Works mission; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Real Property and Right of Way
Acquisition procedures found in Mason County Resolution 01-14 are hereby replaced.
DATED this day of , 2018.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MASON COUNTY,WASHINGTON
Melissa Drewry, Clerk of the Board
Randy Neatherlin, Chair
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Terri Jeffreys, Vice Chair
Tim Whitehead, Chief DPA
Kevin Shutty, Commissioner
Exhibit A - Right of Way Procedures for Public Works Projects
The County of Mason, hereinafter referred to as "AGENCY", desiring to acquire real property (obtain an
interest in, and possession of, real property) in accordance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real
Property Acquisition Policies Act and applicable federal regulations (49 CFR Part 24) and state law (Ch. 8.26
RCW), and state regulations (Ch. 468-100 WAC) hereby adopts the following procedures to implement the
above statutes and Washington Administrative Code. The AGENCY is responsible for the real property
acquisition and relocation activities on projects administered by the AGENCY. To fulfill the above requirements
the AGENCY will acquire right-of-way (ROW) in accordance with the policies set forth in the Right of Way
Manual M 26-01 and Local Agency Guidelines. The AGENCY has the following expertise and personnel
capabilities to accomplish these functions:
1. The following relate to the AGENCY's request.
a. Below is a list of responsible AGENCY individual names and positions,for which the AGENCY has
qualified staff to perform the specific right-of-way function(s). Attached are resumes for each
individual AGENCY staff listed to perform those functions below, and a brief summary of their
qualifications pertaining to the specific ROW function(s) for which they are listed. The procedures
shall be updated whenever staffing changes occur. The AGENCY will be approved to acquire based
upon staff qualifications.
i. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION :
Oversee delivery of the R/W Program on federal aid projects for the agency. Ensures R/W
functions are carried out in compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, policies and
procedures.
Responsibilities/Expectations:
• Ensures agency's approved R/W Procedures are current, including staff qualifications, and
provides copies to consultants and agency staff,
• Oversight of ROW consultants;
o use of consultant contract approved by WSDOT
o management of ROW contracts
o management of ROW files
o reviews and approves actions and decisions recommended by consultants
o Overall responsibility for decisions that are outside the purview of consultant functions
• Sets Just Compensation prior to offers being made;
• Approves administrative offer summaries per policy;
• Ensure agency has a relocation appeal process in place prior to starting relocation activities;
• Oversight of Administrative Settlements;
• Obligation authority for their agency;
• Obtain permits(Non-Uniform Relocation Act(URA));
• Ensures there is a separation of functions to avoid conflicts of interest.
• Verifies whether or not ROW is needed,and that the property rights and/or interests needed
are sufficient to construct, operate and maintain the proposed projects(see Appendix 25.176).
Jerry W. Hauth, PE, Director/Acting County Engineer
LPA-001 Right of Way Procedures Pagel of 4
Revised 12/2017
ii. APPRAISAL
Prepare and deliver appraisals on federal aid projects for the agency. Ensures that appraisals
are consistent and in compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, policies and
procedures.
Responsibilities/Expectations:
• Use only qualified agency staff approved by WSDOT to perform appraisal work;
• Use appraiser from WSDOT's Approved Appraiser List if agency does not have qualified staff;
• Prepare Project Funding Estimates(PFE)or,when applicable,True Cost Estimates(TCE);
• Prepare Administrative Offer Summaries (AOS or Appraisal Waiver);
• Obtain specialist reports;
• Coordinate with engineering, program administration, acquisition, relocation, and/or property
management as necessary.
No qualified staff
iii. APPRAISAL REVIEW:
Review appraisals on federal aid projects for the agency to make sure they are adequate,
reliable, and have reasonable supporting data, and approve appraisal reports. Ensures
appraisals are adequately supported and represent fair market value and applicable costs to
cure and are completed in compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, policies and
procedures.
Responsibilities/Expectations:
• Use only qualified agency staff approved by WSDOT to perform appraisal review work;
• Use review appraiser from WSDOT's Approved Appraiser List if agency does not have qualified
staff;
• Ensures project wide consistency in approaches to value, use of market data and costs to cure;
• Coordinate with engineering, program administration,acquisition, relocation,and/or property
management as necessary.
No qualified staff
iv. ACQUISITION:
Acquire,through negotiation with property owners, real property or real property interests
(rights) on federal aid projects for the agency. Ensures acquisitions are completed in
compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and policies and procedures.
Responsibilities/Expectations:
• Use only qualified staff to perform acquisition activities for real property or real property
interests, including donations;
• To avoid a conflict of interest, when the acquisition function prepares an AOS, only acquires
property valued at$10,000 or less;
• Provide and maintain a comprehensive written account of acquisition activities for each parcel;
• Prepare administrative settlement justification and obtain approval;
• Prepare Project Funding Estimates (PFE)or,when applicable,True Cost Estimates(TCE);
LPA-001 Right of Way Procedures Page 2 of 4
Revised 1212017
• Prepare Administrative Offer Summaries(AOS or Appraisal Waiver);
• Review title, and recommend and obtain approval for acceptance of encumbrances;
• Ensure acquisition documents are consistent with ROW plans,valuation,and title reports;
• Provide a negotiator disclaimer;
• Coordinate with engineering, program administration,appraisal, relocation, and/or property
management as necessary;
• Maintain a complete,well organized parcel file for each acquisition.
Phil Franklin, ROW Agent
V. RELOCATION:
Provide relocation assistance to occupants of property considered displaced by a federally
funded projects for the agency. Ensures relocations are completed in compliance with federal
and state laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
Responsibilities/Expectations:
• Prepare and obtain approval of relocation plan prior to starting relocation activities;
• Confirm relocation appeal procedure is in place;
• Provide required notices and advisory services;
• Make calculations and provide recommendations for agency approving authority prior to
making payment;
• Provide and maintain a comprehensive written account of relocation activities for each parcel;
• Coordinate with engineering, program administration,appraisal,acquisition, and/or property
management as necessary;
• Maintain a complete,well organized parcel file for each displacement;
• Ensure occupants and personal property is removed from the ROW.
No qualified staff
Vi. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT:
Establish property management policies and procedures that will assure control and
administration of ROW, excess lands, and improvements acquired on federal aid projects for
the agency. Ensures property management activities are completed in compliance with
federal and state laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
Responsibilities/Expectations:
• Account for use of proceeds from the sale/lease of property acquired with federal funds on
other title 23 eligible activities;
• Keep R/W free of encroachments;
• Obtain WSDOT/FHWA approval for change in access control along interstate;
• Maintain property records;
• Coordinate with engineering, program administration,appraisal, acquisition, and/or property
management as necessary;
• Maintain a complete,well organized parcel file for each displacement;
• Ensure occupants and personal property is removed from the ROW.
LPA-001 Right of Way Procedures Page 3 of 4
Revised 1212017
Phil Franklin, ROW Agent
b. Any functions for which the AGENCY does not have qualified staff,the Agency will contract with
another local agency with approved procedures, an outside contractor, or the Washington State
Department of Transportation (WSDOT). An AGENCY that proposes to use outside contractors for
any of the above functions will need to work closely with the WSDOT Local Agency Coordinator (LAC)
and Local Programs to ensure all requirements are met. When the AGENCY proposes to have a staff
person approved to negotiate who is not experienced in negotiation for FHWA funded projects,the
LAC must be given a reasonable opportunity to review all offers and supporting data before they are
presented to the property owners.
c. The AGENCY wishes to take advantage of an Appraisal Waiver (aka Administrative Offer Summary or
AOS) procedure on properties valued up to $25,000 or less and outlined in the attached form
LPA-003.
d. Attached is a copy of the AGENCY's administrative settlement procedure showing the approving
authority(s) and the procedure involved in making administrative settlements.
2. All projects shall be available for review by the FHWA and WSDOT at any time and all project documents
shall be retained and available for inspection during the plan development, right-of-way and
construction stages, and for a three year period following acceptance of the projects by WSDOT.
3. Approval of the AGENCY's procedures by WSDOT may be rescinded at any time the AGENCY is found to
no longer have qualified staff or is found to be in non-compliance with the regulations. The rescission
may be applied to all or part of the functions approved.
Chair Date
Washington State Department of Transportation
Approved By:
Local Programs Right of Way Manager Date
LPA-001 Right of Way Procedures Page 4 of 4
Revised 12/2017
WAIVER OF APPRAISAL PROCEDURE
The County of Mason, hereinafter referred to as "AGENCY", desiring to acquire Real
Property according to 23 CFR, Part 635, Subpart C and State directives, and desiring to
take advantage of the $25,000.00 appraisal waiver process approved by the Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA)for Washington State, hereby agrees to follow the
procedure approved for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
as follows:
Rules
A. The AGENCY may elect to waive the requirement for an appraisal if the
acquisition is simple and the compensation estimate indicated on the
Project Funding Estimate (PFE) is $25,000.00 or less including cost-to cure
items. A True Cost Estimate shall not be used with this procedure.
B. The AGENCY must make the property owner(s) aware that an appraisal
has not been completed on the property for offers$10,000 or less.
C. The AGENCY must make the property owner(s) aware that an appraisal
has not been completed on the property for offers over$10,000 and up
to $25,000, and that an appraisal will be prepared if requested by the
property owner(s).
D. Special care should be taken in the preparation of the waiver. As no
review is mandated,the preparer needs to assure that the compensation
is fair and that all the calculations are correct.
Procedures
A. An Administrative Offer Summary (AOS) is prepared using data from the
PFE.
B. The AOS is submitted to the Director or County Engineer for approval.
C. The Director or County Engineer signs the AOS authorizing a first
offer to the property owner(s).
APPROVED:
AGENCY
By:
Director/Acting County Engineer Local Programs Right of Way Mason
County Public Works Manager
LPA-003
10/2014
ADMINISTRATIVE SETTLEMENT POLICY
The County of Mason, hereinafter referred to as "AGENCY", desiring to acquire Real Property
according to 23 CFR, Part 635, Subpart C and State directives, hereby specifies the AGENCY'S
administrative settlement policy and approving authorities for making administrative
settlements.
Administrative settlements are occasionally required in addition to just compensation in order to
acquire needed right of way through negotiation. These administrative settlements can help eliminate
costly condemnation litigation and project construction schedule delays. The Project Parcel Negotiation
Diary shall contain the background leading to the need for an administrative settlement and a memo to
the file shall be prepared detailing the rationale and justification. The level of authority to offer
administrative settlements is as follows:
■ Acquisition Negotiator-Just compensation plus up to an additional$5000.00.
■ Engineering and Construction Manager-Just compensation plus up to an additional $10,000.00.
■ Public Works Director or Deputy Director/County Engineer-Just Compensation plus up to an
additional$25,000.00.
■ Mason County Board of County Commissioners,Chair-Just Compensation plus any
administrative settlement offer in excess of$25,000.00.
Mason County
RESUME OF RIGHT OF WAY QUALIFICATIONS
Jerry W. Hauth, PE
Education BSCE University of Washington 1974
Experience Nearly 50 years of industry experience which includes: overseeing
the securing of necessary property rights for numerous road,
bridge, utility and related public infrastructure projects; and
ensuring Federal and State compliance with ROW acquisition
procedures.
Mason County
RESUME OF RIGHT OF WAY QUALIFICATIONS
Phillip Franklin
Education Bachelor of Science, Pacific Lutheran University
Certificate, Trend Business College
Experience State Certified Appraiser (#0057) for 28 plus years
Attended and passed USPAP 1997 and update class in 2007
LTAP Training Diary Entries (on-line)
Administrative Settlement (on-line)
No ROW Certification (4/18/2017 webinar)
FHWA/WSDOT (4/19/17 WSDOT Administrative Settlement)
Acquisition Under the Uniform Act (6/12/17 webinar)
Local Agency Row Meeting (6/28/17)
NEPA & ROW Integration (8/14&15/2017 seminar)
IRWA Eminent Domain Mock-Trial (9/28/17 seminar)
ROW: Local Agency Row Meeting (5/15/2018
Appraisal ofTCE (9/10/2018 seminar)
MASON COUNTY
BRIEFING ITEM SUMMARY FORM
TO: BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
FROM: Jerry W. Hauth, PE, Director/County Engineer
Loretta Swanson, Technical Services Manager
DEPARTMENT: Public Works EXT: 450
BRIEFING DATE: October 1, 2018
PREVIOUS BRIEFING DATES:
ITEM: Belfair Freight Planning — Proposed Scope of Work and Budget
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Belfair Mobility Plan has emphasized the need to move
freight in, and around, Belfair. Two projects are particularly important not only to Mason
County but the region:
1. the Belfair Freight Corridor, and
2. Log Yard Road improvements to serve an intermodal freight center.
The Belfair Freight Corridor project is led by WSDOT and will require design coordination
with Mason County. Public Works proposes to supplement in-house capabilities with
consultant services aimed at achieving Mason County goals and objectives for the new
freight corridor.
Log Yard Road west of SR 3 serves an important regional intermodal site where freight is
transferred from road to rail. The road is in private ownership and the owners wish to
dedicate the road to the county. Public Works proposes to pursue a BUILD grant
(previously TIGER) to improve the road serving this important regional facility. Application
experience will be very useful for this highly competitive grant, and Public Works proposes
consultant services for this as well. TIGER grants now place emphasis on rural areas (Log
Yard Road vicinity is considered rural under Federal designation) and non-federal
investment (private partnerships/local investment) which will bolster a Mason County
application.
RECOMMENDED OR REQUESTED ACTION:
Public Works requests Board guidance on the following:
■ Should we proceed with preparing BUILD grant proposal to improve Log Yard Road
west of SR 3?
• Would the Board like to see any changes to the proposed scope of work?
Attachments: Draft Scope of Work and Budget
BUILD —TIGER Fact Sheet
Briefing Summary
Mason County Support for the Belfair Bypass/SR 3 Freight Corridor Implementation
Key Assumptions:
• Activities will support Mason County through the Practical Solutions process up to the design phase,
including integrated scoping, alternatives analysis,and identification of preferred design alternative.
• It is expected that this will take about two years in total, beginning in September 2018 and extending to
about September 2020. In reality,the schedule will be driven by WSDOT and may be shorter or longer.
• This scope assumes that work efforts will
Scoping Assumptions for Belfair Bypass/SR 3 Freight Corridor Implementation Support
ramp up to a period of peak activity and then
ramp down.The graphic illustrates the rough
distribution of level of effort, time, and
z
associated costs with this work. s
• It is not possible to fully anticipate the range & �_
of needs that may emerge as the project
progresses. A scope of work that allows q .
Mason County some flexibility to respond to 19.18 1.19 5.19 9.19 1.20 5.20 9.10
issues or opportunities, as needed, will be A
pproximate Time Period
helpful.This can take the form of a task-
driven Management Reserve Fund that enables Mason County to identify new task orders without
necessitating a major contract amendment.This can be worked out as a part of this contract.
Primary Tasks:
Following is a breakout by task of the primary work activities anticipated going into this process,with associated
costs and time frame.
1. Participate on Belfair Bypass/SR 3 Freight Corridor project as part of the Mason County team
Stay abreast of activities and actively engage in the integrated scoping process and project development
process, advocating on behalf of Mason County interests in the project. Maintain close communications
with Mason County staff before and after meetings and throughout, developing coordinated strategies
and working to ensure outcomes of the corridor project generate maximum benefit for Mason County.
Provide occasional Board briefings. Budget reflects 20 hours a month average for two years, recognizing
that some months will entail less time than that and others will entail more. Begin in September 2018.
(Thera) $80,000
2. Develop Belfair Freight Impacts Position Paper
Working with data from a variety of sources and follow-up discussions with the Dressels and other
property owners, produce a high level assessment of the nature of freight traffic in the Log Yard Road
industrial business center, and its importance to Belfair and Mason County. This will draw on existing
data and resources to present an overview of freight characteristics, resulting in a short summary brief
and(if data is available)a map of freight flows. Fourth quarter of 2018. (Thera, Hans, Laura) $8,700
3. Prepare Visualization of Freight Corridor Intersections
Develop a conceptual rendering of what a four-legged intersection might look like on the freight corridor.
Develop one rendering that shows a stop-controlled treatment on the cross street as well as a rendering
that shows a roundabout intersection control. First quarter 2019. (Kano, Thera) $7,725
4. Develop Cost Estimates for W Log Yard Road reconstruction
Develop preliminary cost estimates for reconstructing Log Yard Road west of SR 3 to a freight collector,
with sufficient detail and confidence to support a grant funding application. Detail may also support
definition of a Mason County freight route design standard. First quarter 2019. (Patrick, Thera) $6,660
5. Develop Incremental Cost Estimates for E Log Yard Road construction
Develop a breakout of costs for constructing Log Yard Road east of SR 3 to a freight collector, with
sufficient detail to delineate Mason County's cost responsibilities for the additional structural capacity to
support freight traffic. First quarter 2019. (Patrick, Thera) NIC
6. Prepare a 2019 BUILD Grant Application for a Log Yard Road construction project
Develop a federal BUILD grant project application to reconstruct Log Yard Road west of SR 3 to approved
freight route standards and potentially, to include construction of Log Yard Road east of SR 3. This
assumes that an Economic Impacts Analysis or Benefit-Cost Analysis is conducted to support the Belfair
Bypass/SR 3 Freight Corridor project. Other considerations that would determine the feasibility of a
BUILD grant pursuit include willingness of property owners to collaborate on right-of-way issues,final
2019 BUILD criteria and emphasis areas, and demonstrated support from other entities, though most
critical is completion of an EIA or BCA. Second quarter 2019. (Thera, Cathy) $15,000
7. Develop a Plan View of Potential UGA Development
Prepare a conceptual plan view of potential development on the plateau in the UGA that might occur
around bypass/freight corridor, local connectors, and street grid. Use it to illustrate how a limited access
highway can be compatible with the future planned development in this UGA and the role of connected
streets in supporting mobility and circulation. This assumes a fairly high level concept, incorporating or
reflecting where possible existing plans already developed by property owners, and based on existing
zoning. Fourth quarter 2018. (Eric, Laura) $10,000
8. Project Management
This is strictly relegated to project set-up, contract management, budgeting and scheduling, and
billing/invoicing tasks over a two year period. It assumes that project coordination and on-going
communications and updates are folded into the work of the specific tasks. Sept 2018—Sept 2020.
(Thera, Maddie) $5,000
Cost Summary:
Costs associated with the tasks described above: $132,250
Travel expenses(assumes WSDOT will primarily meet in Pt Orchard or Belfair): $ 1,400
Total: $133,650
Suggested Management Reserve Fund: $ 16,350
Total cost with MRF: $150,000
U.S. Department
of Transportation
BUILD vs TIGER Fact Sheet
The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development(BUILD)Transportation Grants
solicitation will make$1.5 billion available to surface transportation projects that align with the merit
criteria described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity(NOFO). BUILD replaces the pre-existing
TIGER grants program. Like TIGER,FY 2018 BUILD Transportation Grants are for investments in
surface transportation infrastructure and are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that
will have a significant local or regional impact. For this round of BUILD,no more than$150 million
can be awarded to a single State.
To reflect the Administration's Infrastructure Initiative,DOT plans to award a greater share of
BUILD Transportation funding to projects located in rural areas that align well with the merit criteria
than to than to those in urban areas. Rural applicants can highlight their needs in response to several
of the evaluation criteria, including to deploy rural broadband as part of an eligible transportation
project.BUILD encourages local governments to proactively raise new sources of revenue with a
new criterion to evaluate local activities to generate additional non-Federal revenue for transportation
infrastructure.
BUILD applications will be evaluated based on the following merit criteria: safety,economic
competitiveness,quality of life,environmental protection, state of good repair, innovation,
partnership,and additional non-Federal revenue for infrastructure investments. Below is a side-by-
side comparison of the merit criteria used in TIGER and BUILD:
TIGER BUILD
Merit criteria Merit criteria
Primary criteria . Safety
• Safety • State of Good Repair
• State of Good Repair . Economic Competitiveness
• Economic Competitiveness . Environmental Protection
• Environmental Sustainability . Quality of Life
• Quality of Life Innovation
Secondary criteria • Partnership
• Innovation Non-Federal Revenue for Transportation
• Partnership Infrastructure Investment
Other criteria Other criteria
• Demonstrated Project Readiness • Demonstrated Project Readiness
• Project Costs and Benefits • Project Costs and Benefits
• Cost Sharing or Matching
Additional considerations
Additional considerations • Geographic diversity among recipients
•
Geographic diversity among recipients
For additional explanation of the criteria,please see the BUILD NOFO
What stayed the same from TIGER competitions?
The eligible costs and project types have not changed. The minimum and maximum project award
sizes are the same as in FY 2017.
MASON COUNTY
BRIEFING ITEM SUMMARY FORM
TO: BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
FROM: Jerry W. Hauth, PE, Director/County Engineer
Sarah Grice, PE, E&C Manager
Loretta Swanson, Technical Services Manager
DEPARTMENT: Public Works EXT: 450
BRIEFING DATE: October 1, 2018
PREVIOUS BRIEFING DATES:
ITEM: 2019 Annual Construction Program and 6-Year TIP
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This work session is to present the 2019 annual construction program and lay out
proposed construction projects for years 2019 through 2024. Members from the
Transportation Improvement Program Citizen Advisory Panel (TIP-CAP) will be attending
to share their recommendations, 2018 accomplishments, and goals for 2019.
RCW 36.81.121 requires the preparation and annual updating of a six-year
comprehensive transportation program. Chapter 36.81.130 spells out the procedure and
that the plan is to be presented to the Board by the first Monday in October. WAC 136-
14 and 136-15 describe standards of good practice for priority programming and the
preparation of the 6-Year TIP.
Following is the proposed schedule for adopting the 6-Year TIP and Annual Construction
Program:
10/09 Board sets hearing date
10/09 — 11/06 TIP available for public review
11/06 Public Hearing to adopt the 6-Year and Annual
RECOMMENDED OR REQUESTED ACTION:
Request the Board identify any changes to the 6-Year and Annual they wish to see.
Recommend the Board set two hearings for November 6, 2018 at 9:30 am to consider the
6-Year TIP and 2019 Annual Construction program.
Attachments:TIP-CAP Recommendation Letter
DRAFT 6-Year TIP (2019-2024)
Draft 2019 Annual
September 26, 2018
SUBJECT: 6-Year Transportation Improvement Program—
TIP-CAP Review and Recommendations
Dear Board of Mason County Commissioners,
TIP-CAP is pleased to offer our recommendations for the 2019—2024 6-Year Transportation
Improvement Program with this letter. We kicked off 2018 with two goals to improve our
recommendation process:
1. Expand our outreach to better understand community transportation needs and priorities; and
2. Expand our list of potential projects beyond the 6-Year TIP.
TIP-CAP voted on September 12, 2018 to recommend approval of the 2019 Annual Construction
Program and 6-Year TIP for years 2019—2024(attached). We approached our deliberations with the
understanding that Public Works is to budget for a $2.16 million diversion for Traffic Policing. We
propose to advance three projects in 2019 estimated to cost$700,000 should the diversion be reduced
to $1.5 million:
Priority 12—Trails Road Alternate Route (Rasor Road) $250,000
Priority 20—Mason-Benson Intersection Safety $350,000
Priority 22—Allyn Access, Circulation and ROW $100,000
We note and highlight for your and the general public's information that cost estimates for individual
projects are just that: estimates. As specific site examinations, engineering calculations and inflationary
pressures are taken into account over time, the actual costs for any project may differ. Two examples:
• Priority 10, the Belfair Connection roadway to the soon-to-be built Freight Mobility corridor east
of Belfair. This project will require extensive discussions with the US Navy,the owner of the
nearby railroad. The crossing type that will be required by the Navy is not known at this time.
The three potential options are: at grade, over-or under-crossing. If an over-or under-crossing
is required the costs will increase substantially.
• Priority 16, culvert replacement on E North Island Drive (Harstine). This project needs to have
salmonid use determination made as well as to pick the best cost-effective infrastructure to be
used on this project. There may be additional road work in the immediate area of the culvert
that could be performed at the same time.
We conducted community outreach meetings held in Belfair, Shelton and Hoodsport in early 2018 and
thank Commissioners for attending these meetings with us. The purpose was to share TIP-CAP's mission
and to hear transportation needs and priorities first-hand from community members. Most of the
Page 1 of 2
comments we received can be addressed through maintenance or by WSDOT and did not lead to
projects to be included in the 2019—2024 Transportation Improvement Program. However, a few can
be considered for future construction projects after additional research. We are particularly interested
in learning more about upgrading existing gravel roads and have begun by looking at an example from
another jurisdiction.
Thank you for considering our recommendations. Resolution No. 53-14 sets forth TIP-CAP'S goal "... to
make transportation improvement investment recommendations ... that strive to balance community
priorities, county future land-use planning, safety and financial constraints". We sincerely hope that
balance is seen in our recommendations and welcome any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Jack Johnson, Chair Jeff Carey, Co-Chair Pete Butkus, Co-Chair
Mary Jo Cady Mark Carlson Kathy Geist
Don Pogreba Phil Wolff
Attachments:
Recommended 6-Year TIP
Public Outreach Meeting Summary
Page 2 of 2
� 2018 TIP-CAP Community Outreach
03/27/2018 Commissioner District 1 Notes
By: Loretta Swanson
BELFAIR AREA
SAND HILL
The Sand Hill/SR 300 intersection is a high priority. The flooding and accidents are a problem.
ROMANCE HILL
Romance Hill/SR 3 intersection should be evaluated for a different type of intersection control. If
Romance Hill is selected as the connector to the future SR 3 Freight Corridor this intersection will
become even more of a concern.
What is the purpose or need for a connector road between Belfair and the future SR3 Freight Corridor?
Won't an intersection along the Freight Corridor reduce efficiency?
Romance Hill grade and geometry are problematic now. It would not make a good connector route.
SR 3 CORRIDOR
The SR3/SR300 intersection (Dairy Queen) is problematic. Traffic stacks up waiting for people on 3
wanting to turn left onto 300. Suggested solutions were: "No left turns between 3:00-6:00 pm"or a
traffic signal.
The SR3/Belfair Street intersection has a similar problem to the one above. Three intersections are in
very close proximity (Belfair Street, SR300, and Clifton @ SR3). One suggested solution: eliminate the
SR300 intersection and direct traffic to Belfair Street of Clifton.
The SR3/SR106 signal currently gives priority to South Shore (SR 106) and causes traffic to stack on SR3.
This appears to be more dangerous than stacking on SR 106. Suggested solution: signal at SR3/SR106
should be reprogrammed.
The new fence and pole placement reduces sight distance at Roessel Road and leaving the North Mason
Sheriff precinct office.
Drivers often exceed the speed limit SB on SR3 entering Belfair and it is very difficult to enter SR3 from
Ridge Point near McDonald's. Suggested solutions: targeted speed enforcement and "traffic calming"
textured pavement.
Since the closure of the North Mason School complex "back entry" on SR 302 all traffic must now use
the SR3 entry/exit point. Drivers leaving North Mason campus to SR3 have a hard time viewing on-
coming north-bound traffic due to divers entering the campus and "hiding" traffic behind. This is
especially concerning due to the number of young drivers. Suggested solution: safety and capacity can
Page 1 of 3
t 2018 TIP-CAP Community Outreach
03/27/2018 Commissioner District 1 Notes
By: Loretta Swanson
be improved with the addition of a north bound deceleration/turn lane along with acceleration/entry
lane for traffic entering SR 3 and going northbound.
The SR3/SR302 intersection has serious alignment issues with the acute angle for north bound traffic on
SR 3, turning onto SR302. This intersection, in general, has issues with limited sight distances for those
on SR302 who are attempting to access SR3.
CLIFTON
People leaving Safeway attempt to turn left onto Clifton. There should be a "No left turn".
People attempt to enter Taco Bell across the turn pocket heading northwest on Clifton. It stacks traffic
through the Clifton/SR3 signal. There should be some traffic barrier preventing left turns off Clifton into
Taco Bell.
GENERAL
The SR3/SR300/Clifton/Old Belfair Highway intersection is operating at LOS F at times. This intersection
needs improvement.
SR3/SR300/Clifton/Old Belfair Highway should not be replaced with a roundabout. The present system
works.
Reduce vehicle traffic through and around Belfair by using the Navy rail for commuter transport of
employees.
TRAILS ROAD/RASOR ROAD
The Rasor Road connection is crucial for safety(fire and emergency service challenges up Trails Road)
and mobility (reduce traffic through Allyn).
Trails Road needs improvement from SR 106 to the last section of improvement(— Happy Home Dr).
The segment needs wider shoulders.
Trails Road can be confused with Trails End Road by emergency responders. The safety signing
improvements by WSDOT is appreciated.
MTA PARK AND RIDE
Consider delaying the intersection improvements(round-about) until after the SR 3 Freight Corridor
ends are located and designed. If the project moves ahead it could be wasted $.
There does not seem to be enough demand (users)to warrant the need for a Park and Ride in Belfair.
Page 2 of 3
2018 TIP-CAP Community Outreach
03/27/2018 Commissioner District 1 Notes
By: Loretta Swanson
There is concern about proximity of Log Yard Road/SR 3 intersection to Lake Flora and how these two
will work together.
There are several concerns about the MTA intersection analysis including: model needs to include
accurate freight use; lack of contact with affected property owners; data for model does not appear to
be up to date and/or accurate.
The Log Yard Road intersection improvements could result in business impacts that would lead business
to relocate to Kitsap.
There is concern about placing any intersection treatment on SR3 at Log Yard Road that will slow the
speed down from 50 mph.
PROCESS/COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
How will citizen input be used? There is skepticism that input will be listen to or used,given past
experiences.
The county should establish a Level of Service (LOS)standard for its roads to help prioritize projects.
WSDOT representatives should attend meetings (TIP-CAP, community, other)to better understand local
needs.
Law enforcement (Sheriff's office) should attend meetings to understand traffic control, safety and
enforcement concerns.
What other opportunities are there to provide more frequent input?
Page 3 of 3
2018 TIP-CAP Community Outreach
04/25/2018 Commissioner District 2 Notes
By: Loretta Swanson
The meeting was attended by ten community members and Commissioner Shutty. There were
questions about road maintenance practices and the following gravel road upgrade and
pedestrian safety suggestions:
COUNTY
Sunnyside Road —Can this gravel road be upgraded or does the topography make this unlikely?
Can maintenance frequency be increased or different methods used? For example, use of the
compaction roller is money well-spent.
Kelly Hall Road —Can this gravel road be upgraded or receive increased maintenance? The
school bus will no longer travel down the road. It is filled with potholes and sometimes
impassable due to trees and limbs across the road. The edges are eroding.
WSDOT
Crosswalks need improvement in Hoodsport.
Page 1 of 1
2018 TIP-CAP Community Outreach
04/25/2018 Commissioner District 2 Notes
By: Loretta Swanson
The meeting was attended by ten community members and Commissioner Shutty. There were
questions about road maintenance practices and the following gravel road upgrade and
pedestrian safety suggestions:
COUNTY
Sunnyside Road —Can this gravel road be upgraded or does the topography make this unlikely?
Can maintenance frequency be increased or different methods used? For example, use of the
compaction roller is money well-spent.
Kelly Hall Road —Can this gravel road be upgraded or receive increased maintenance? The
school bus will no longer travel down the road. It is filled with potholes and sometimes
impassable due to trees and limbs across the road. The edges are eroding.
WSDOT
Crosswalks need improvement in Hoodsport.
Page 1 of 1
2018 TIP-CAP Community Outreach
05/23/2018 Commissioner District 3 Notes
By: Loretta Swanson
The meeting was attended by one individual, Jim Sinclair. Commissioner Shutty attended for
Commissioner Drexler who had a meeting conflict.
WSDOT
SR 3 through Shelton —traffic signal gives preference to city streets rather than SR 3. Examples:
1St Ave/RR and 7th/Alder.
SR 3—Southbound approaching Bayshore has very deep ditches and should have delineators
replaced.
SR 3/Johns Prairie— Remains a problem intersection. Suggested low-cost solutions include:
■ Signs "limited visibility'
■ Speed reduction on SR 3
■ Signs "lights on for safety"
■ Eliminate the eastbound lane. Traffic heading southbound on SR 3 can turn onto Johns
Prairie, but eastbound traffic on Johns Prairie can no longer connect to SR 3.
SR 106/McReavy—There is an upland drainage problem that drains onto SR 106 and creates
temporary road closures and driving hazards.
SR 106 through Alderbrook and Union should have a speed reduction.
US 101—Southbound off ramp to SR 3 15 MPH curve does not have enough warning. Is it
possible to increase the deceleration lane length?
State/County/City need to improve detour coordination and communication with freight
haulers.
COUNTY
The last section of Johns Prairie Road (near old county shop) needs improvement for "all-
weather" conditions.
Oversize load permit requirements should be reviewed to make sure they are current.
CITY OF SHELTON
Roads need to be designed for freight, increase turning radius.
Page 1 of 2
2018 TIP-CAP Community Outreach
05/23/2018 Commissioner District 3 Notes
• By: Loretta Swanson
PROCESS/COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Consider using the "Shopper" or other means to advertise outreach meetings.
Be sure to introduce all attending the meeting.
All comments should be summarized and presented to the Board of County Commissioners.
Suggestions for improvements to the State, City and others should be forwarded to them.
Community engagement might be improved if TIP-CAP "takes the show on the road" and
attend civic organization meetings and meet with Fire and School Districts.
•
Page 2 of 2
MASON COUNTY
BRIEFING ITEM SUMMARY FORM
TO: BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
FROM:
Barbara Adkins
DEPARTMENT: EXT:
Mason Conservation District 427-9436, ext. 104
BRIEFING DATE:
PREVIOUS BRIEFING DA ES: June 19, 2017; April 9, 2018
If this is a follow-up briefing, please provide only new information
ITEM: Voluntary Stewardship Plan (VSP) Work Plan Update
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: (If applicable, please include available options and
potential solutions):
The VSP Work Plan has been approved by the Washington Conservation
Commission effective June 19, 2018. The next phase of this program is the
Plan's implementation which includes public outreach, stewardship practices,
monitoring and adaptive management. Attached is a brief summary of the
current status of the Program and how the District is strategizing the next steps.
Also provided to the Board are the final VSP Work Plan and the WCC's official
approval correspondence.
Part of the implementation process includes regular reporting to the County;
therefore the District will continue to provide the Board and other County
Officials updates on the status of the Plan and any monitoring results involving
agricultural activities and critical areas. Changes to the County's Resource
Ordinance and/or Comprehensive Plan to accommodate the County's VSP
standing may be necessary, as well as to the County's website, in order to best
serve and inform interested citizens.
BUDGET IMPACTS:
RECOMMENDED OR REQUESTED ACTION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Work Plan (digital copy)
Briefing Summary 8/16/2018
Voluntary Stewardship Plan
Post Approval Update
July 10, 2018
POST APPROVAL UPDATE
The VSP Work Plan has been approved by the Washington Conservation Commission
effective June 19, 2018. A letter confirming this approval was provided to Frank Pinter
on June 20, and is included with this update. District Staff participated in two Formal
Reviews with the WCC's Technical Panel in which comments and suggestions by the
Panel were received and incorporated into the draft Plan. After the second review held
on June 19, 2018, the Panel voted to approve the Work Plan pending final edits. While
Mason County did receive correspondence from WCC dated June 20, 2019 announcing
the Work Plan approval, District Staff continued to make the final edits. Once
completed, the final Work Plan was provided to the WCC on July 9 and to Mason
County Officials as part of this update package.
As per GMA, the next phase under the Voluntary Stewardship Program is the
implementation of the Work Plan through outreach, monitoring and adaptive
management. Implementation progress is reported to the WCC and the County under
the following schedule:
REPORTING SCHEDULE
Benchmark Status Check Due 10 years post funding November 24, 2025
Periodic Evaluations Due 60 Days post each August 19 2020, 2022,
biennium 2024
Report on Meeting Goals Due 5 years post funding November 24, 2020
and Benchmarks
Report on Meeting Goals Due 10 years post funding November 24, 2025, 2030,
and Benchmarks and then every 5 years post 2035
funding
Prior to the first periodic evaluation in August of 2020, the Work Group together with
District Staff will begin strategizing outreach efforts to maximize the program's
exposure. The Work Plan includes a chapter on outreach that resulted from a
brainstorming work session and the techniques listed are ideas from which more
specific plans can be formed. Since Voluntary Steward Programs are new in
Washington, there is no tried and true method of achieving maximum results.
Therefore, the outreach will be one aspect of the plan that will necessarily be adjusted
along the way. The Work Group and District Staff will also be creating a structured
format for reporting data received as a result of monitoring. There are several
resources being reviewed under the Program and documenting change legibly and
uniformly will be crucial as the Work Plan's life span extends beyond 10 years. Finding
a recording method that can be followed easily by future group members and staff will
be the best way to assure results are properly reported.
Mason Conservation District Page I
Voluntary Stewardship Plan
Post Approval Update
July 10, 2018
As of this date, 18 out of 27 participating counties have approved Work Plans with the
earliest ones approved in April of 2017. A cursory review of the implementation status
of each of these Counties shows a lull inactivity post work plan adoption. Considering
there is a two-year window before any reports are due, and the length of time between
resource updates, it is reasonable to see a brief hiatus. In the interim, while Mason
County as well as the others fine tune their outreach strategies and monitoring systems,
the WCC continues to work through all the kinks that accompany new legislation. The
WCC's Statewide Advisory Committee, which works with the Commission's Director and
with Work Groups whose plans are rejected, is also empowered to established policies
and procedures for implementing the VSP. Three such policies have been adopted
thus far that address (1) confidentiality of stewardship plans, (2) timeline for VSP work
plans, and (3) roles and responsibilities for VSP implementation. Each of these Policy
Advisories is available on the WCC's VSP homepage under Statewide Advisory
Committee. There is a fourth policy under consideration and scheduled for discussion
on July 25, 2018. This new proposed policy involves recommending changes to Critical
Area Ordinances as they relate to the application of VSP to all agricultural activities.
The following except is from the approved meeting minutes of the Technical Panel
meeting on February 23,
General discussed of VSP information coordination among state agencies
related to "new" agriculture and how counties are applying VSP and their critical
area ordinances. Perhaps a new policy advisory (04-18) would need to be
created to address how counties in VSP address adding a statement to their
critical area ordinance once it is updated to state that they are VSP counties and
that the VSP applies to all agricultural activities, as defined in VSP, but that all
others laws, including development regulations such as the SMA, Endangered
Species Act, county building codes, etc. are still in effect. GMA differentiates
between old agricultural and new agriculture. VSP doesn't have the
differentiation. There is no new versus old agriculture in VSP. VSP applies to all
unincorporated property in the county that ops into VSP. RCW 36.70A.710 (5).
A statement in the CAO that states that the county is a VSP county and that VSP
applies to all agricultural activities, as defined in the VSP statute, should be
added to each county VSP who've opted into VSP. For example, new structures
would be covered in development regulations, not VSP. VSP would deal with the
effects of that agricultural practices (i.e. the installation of a structure) within the
watershed as a whole.
Once formalized, this new Policy should provide guidance to local jurisdictions,
including Mason County, on amending their CAO's to better clarify the role of VSP and
its application to new as well as existing agricultural activities. Having at least some
reference within Mason County's Code acknowledging the existence of the Voluntary
Stewardship Program is something to be considered by the Board of Commissioners.
Even prior to the current Policy under consideration, several counties have include
references in either their Comprehensive Plans and their development regulations
Mason Conservation District Page 2
Voluntary Stewardship Plan
Post Approval Update
July 10, 2018
indicating that their county is a VSP county, and providing direction for where additional
information may be located (i.e. the Conservation District, the County, or some other
appointed agency). They also provide links on the County's homepage where
information on VSP can be found, and whether it is being implemented by the County or
by another technical assistance provider. Since most interested parties will begin their
search for land use rules with the local governing body, a link to VSP information as well
as to the District's homepage would be very helpful. Most of the Counties who've opted
into VSP have such links established; however finding their corresponding code or plan
amendments proved to be far more challenging. If Mason County chooses to create a
VSP information page from its homepage, including additional links to code and plan
changes would be useful. The following describes some of the formal amendments
VSP counties have made to acknowledge their VSP standings:
VSP RELATED CHANGES
COUNTY WORK PLAN APPROVAL CHANGES — CODE/PLAN
DATE
Adams Not Approved
Asotin May 2018 None Found
Benton April 2018 None Found
Chelan April 2017 Code Amendment (Title 13 Environment)
Clallam Non-VSP
Clark Non-VSP
Columbia Not Approved
Cowlitz Not Approved
Douglas April 2018 None Found
Ferry Not Approved
Franklin February 2018 Comp Plan Amendment (Natural
Resource Element)
Garfield June 2018 None Found
Grant June 2017 None Found
Grays Not Approved
Harbor
Island Non-VPS
Jefferson Non-VSP
King Non-VSP
Kitsap Non-VSP
Kittitas April 2018 None Found
Klickitat Non-VSP
Lewis Not Approved
Lincoln April 2018 Code Amendment (Title 18 Environment)
Mason June 2018
Mason Conservation District Page 3
Voluntary Stewardship Plan
Post Approval Update
July 10, 2018
COUNTY WORK APPROVAL C
DATE
Okanogan Not Approved
Pacific August 2017 None Found
Pend Oreille Not Approved
Pierce Non-VSP
San Juan January 2018 Code Amendment (Title 18 Unified
Development Code)
Skagit July 2017 Code Amendment (Title 14 Unified
Development Code)
Skamania Non-VSP
Snohomish Non-VSP
Spokane Not Approved
Stevens December 2017 None Found
Thurston April 2017 Code Amendment (Title 17 Environment)
Wahkiakum Non-VSP
Walla Walla November 2017 Comp Plan Amendment (Critical Areas
Element)
Whatcom Non-VSP
Whitman August 2017 Code Amendment (Title 19 Zoning Code)
Yakima October 2017 Code Amendment (Title 16C Critical
Areas)
NEXT STEPS:
Prepare Outreach materials
Compile Current List of Potential Outreach Events
Compile Current List of Civic Groups and Organizations
Work with County on Code Amendments to inform Citizens
Create Structured Reporting Matrices
Mason Conservation District Page 4
The Mason County Voluntary
Stewardship Program helps local
farm our
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WORK PLAN
steward Voluntary Stewardship Program A. The
Mason 6/19/2018 A s h ip
Mason County,Washington
P rog rare ntari ly
conserve ;juices
through good stewardship practices on
the land . The Mason County Voluntary
Stewardship Program helps local
farmers voluntarily conserve our
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stewardship practices on the land. The
Mason County Voluntary Stewardship
Program helps local farmers voluntarily
conserve our County's natural resources
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Mason County
State of Washington
411 N. 5t" Street
Shelton, Washington 98584
1854
MASON CONSERVATION DISTRICT
450 W. Business Park Road
Shelton,Washington 98584
360/427-9436-www.masoncd.org
"Promoting the sustainable use,conservation and restoration of natural resources for future
generations"
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 12
WORK PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLEOF TABLES.................................................................................................................................................................................6
TABLEOF FIGURES...............................................................................................................................................................................7
TABLEOF AUTHORITIES...................................................................................................................................................................8
TABLEOF ACRONYMS.................................................................................................................................................................... I I
I. DEFINITIONS............................................................................................................................................................................. 12
2. MASON COUNTY — OVERVIEW..................................................................................................................................... 15
3. INTRODUCTION TO THE VOLUNTARY STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM............................................................ 18
4. OVERVIEW AND HISTORY OF VSP..............................................................................................................................20
5. ORGANIZATION AND PROCE4.....................................................................................................................................22
STATE.................................................................................................................................................................................................................22
COUNTY...........................................................................................................................................................................................................22
WORKGROUP...............................................................................................................................................................................................23
STATE ... AGAIN............................................................................................................................................................................................24
6. SCHEDULE AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS..........................................................................................................25
7. THE WORK PLAN..................................................................................................................................................................27
8. EXISTING WATERSHED PLANS.........................................................................................................................................31
ShellfishProtection Districts.........................................................................................................................................................................31
WatershedPlanning Act.................................................................................................................................................................................32
9. WORK GROUP STRUCTURE AND RCLE...................................................................................................................35
10. MEET THE "PROTECT CRITICAL AREAS" TEST.................................................................................................38
11. MEET THE "MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE AGRICULTURAL VIABILITY" TEST........................................39
12. CREATE AND MEET PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT BENCHMARKS..........................................40
13. BASELINE CONDITIONS AND MONITORING...................................................................................................41
14. BASELINE BANKING.........................................................................................................................................................42
NAIP HIGH RESOLUTION AERIAL IMAGERY CHANGE DETECTION...................................................................................42
MASON CONSERVATION DISTRICT BMP PROJECTS...................................................................................................................44
USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE — CONSERVATION PRACTICES........................................46
15. MONITORING.....................................................................................................................................................................49
16. AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES............................................................................................54
17. ESTABLISHING THE AGRICULTURAL BASELINE.................................................................................................57
18. AGRICULTURAL LANDS AND CRITICAL AREAS INTERFACE.....................................................................59
CRITICAL AQUIFER RECHARGE AREAS..............................................................................................................................................61
FREQUENTLYFLOODED AREAS............................................................................................................................................................64
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 13
WORK PLAN
LANDSLIDEHAZARD AREAS....................................................................................................................................................................68
SEISMICHAZARD AREAS...........................................................................................................................................................................70
EROSIONHAZARD AREAS.......................................................................................................................................................................73
FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION AREAS...........................................................................................................75
WETLANDS......................................................................................................................................................................................................78
19. GOALS AND BENCHMARKS..........................................................................................................................................82
Goals..................................................................................................................................................................................................................82
Benchmarks...................................................................................................................................................................................................82
ParticipationBenchmarks......................................................................................................................................................................83
CriticalAquifer Recharge Areas.........................................................................................................................................................84
FrequentlyFlooded Areas......................................................................................................................................................................84
Wetlands.........................................................................................................................................................................................................85
ErosionHazard Areas...............................................................................................................................................................................86
Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas............................................................................................................................87
Protection and Participation Benchmarks—............................................................................................................................88
EnhancementBenchmarks...............................................................................................................................................................89
20. ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT............................................................................................................................................92
WETLANDS......................................................................................................................................................................................................93
CRITICAL AQUIFER RECHARGE AREAS (CARAs)...........................................................................................................................95
FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION AREAS...........................................................................................................97
FREQUENTLYFLOODED AREAS............................................................................................................................................................99
GEOLOGICALLYHAZARDOUS AREAS.............................................................................................................................................101
LANDSLIDE HAZARD AREAS.............................................................................................................................................................101
SEISMICHAZARD AREAS.....................................................................................................................................................................101
EROSION HAZARD AREAS.................................................................................................................................................................102
21. EXISTING REGULATORY BACKSTOPS..................................................................................................................104
MASONCOUNTY CODE........................................................................................................................................................................104
SECTION 8.52.140 MCC—LANDSLIDE HAZARD AREAS.........................................................................................................104
SECTION 8.52.150 MCC—SEISMIC HAZARD AREAS.................................................................................................................104
CHAPTER 14.22 MCC - FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION........................................................................................................104
CHAPTER 14.04 MCC STATE BUILDING CODES ADOPTED AND CHAPTER 14.08 MCC BUILDING CODE
AMENDMENTS.........................................................................................................................................................................................105
CHAPTER 17.01 MCC -MASON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS...................................................................105
CHAPTER 17.50 MCC -SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM USE REGULATIONS...............................................................105
OTHER STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS................................................................................................................................................105
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ASSISTING STATE AGENCIES IN THEIR MONITORING PROGRAMS......................................................................................105
22. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE............................................................................................................................................107
23. OUTREACH STRATEGY................................................................................................................................................108
OUTREACHEVENTS..................................................................................................................................................................................108
COMMUNITY BASED MEETINGS..........................................................................................................................................................109
ADVERTISING................................................................................................................................................................................................1 10
WORKING WITH AG-RELATED BUSINESSES &ORGANIZATIONS.....................................................................................1 10
PRINT AND BROADCAST MEDIA — INTERNET AND WEBSITES.........................................................................................I I I
BUILDING AWARENESS THROUGH BRANDING.........................................................................................................................112
SITEVISITS......................................................................................................................................................................................................1 13
CIVICORGANIZATIONS..........................................................................................................................................................................113
BOARDSAND COMMISSIONS................................................................................................................................................................1 13
MATERIALS.....................................................................................................................................................................................................1 13
SCHOOLS........................................................................................................................................................................................................1 13
LANDOWNER MEETINGS........................................................................................................................................................................114
LOCAL BUSINESSES/GOVERNMENT OFFICES.................................................................................................................................114
VOLUNTARY STEWARDSHIP OVERVIEW AND INDIVIDUAL PLAN CHECKLIST..............................................................1 14
OUTREACH PRIORITIZATION AND SCHEDULE..........................................................................................................................I 15
APPENDIX I CRITICAL AREAS.................................................................................................................................................117
WETLANDS....................................................................................................................................................................................................1 18
CRITICAL AQUIFER RECHARGE AREAS.............................................................................................................................................122
FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION AREAS............................................................................................................125
AQUATICAREAS....................................................................................................................................................................................126
TERRESTRIALAREAS.............................................................................................................................................................................127
FREQUENTLY FLOODED AREAS...........................................................................................................................................................129
GEOLOGICALLY HAZARDOUS AREAS...............................................................................................................................................131
LANDSLIDEHAZARD...........................................................................................................................................................................131
SEISMICHAZARD..................................................................................................................................................................................133
EROSIONHAZARD................................................................................................................................................................................135
APPENDIX 2 EXISTING PLANS..................................................................................................................................................137
ANNAS BAY CLOSURE RESPONSE STRATEGY,APRIL 2007..................................................................................................138
MCLANE COVE SHELLFISH PROTECTION DISTRICT, MAY 2016........................................................................................141
OAKLAND BAY ACTION PLAN,AUGUST 2007.........................................................................................................................142
WRIA 16 WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN, MAY 2006.....................................................................................................145
HOOD CANAL INTEGRATED WATERSHED PLAN, MAY 2014............................................................................................148
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
HOOD CANAL COORDINATING COUNCIL'S HOOD CANAL REGIONAL POLLUTION.......................................148
APPENDIX 3 SWOT ANALYSIS......................................................................................................................................150
APPENDIX 4 REGULATORY CONTEXT.................................................................................................................................153
CRITICALAREAS ORDINANCE.............................................................................................................................................................154
SHORELINEMASTER PROGRAM............................................................................................................................................................155
APPENDIX5 FARMS AND CROPS .............................................................................................................................157
FARMS...............................................................................................................................................................................................................158
CROPS..............................................................................................................................................................................................................162
APPENDIX 6 GOALS, BENCHMARKS, MONITORING, AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENTS
.................................................................................................................................................................................................................167
APPENDIX 7 MONITORING PROGRAM ..............................................................................................................178
APPENDIX 8 BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES...................................................................................................................184
APPENDIX 9 VOLUNTARY STEWARDSHIP OVERVIEW AND INDIVIDUAL STEWARDSHIP CHECKLIST....192
Mason County-- Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
TABLE OF TABLES
TableI Land Use Categories.................................................................................................................................................................................17
Table2 Reporting Schedule....................................................................................................................................................................................25
Table3 Crosswalk....................................................................................................................................................................................................29
Table4 Watershed Work Group Membership...................................................................................................................................................36
Table 5 HRCD Detected Changes by WRIA(Acres)...........................................................................................................................................44
Table 6 Mason Conservation District BMP Projects as Of July 2011 ...............................................................................................................45
Table 7 NRCS Conservation Practices 2011-2017.............................................................................................................................................46
Table 8 Net Baseline Acres of Critical Area Improvements...............................................................................................................................48
Table 9 Acres and Percentages of Agriculture and Critical Area Interface.......................................................................................................59
Table 10 Acres and Percentages of CARA and Agriculture Interface................................................................................................................62
Table I I Acres and Percentages of Flood Areas and Agriculture Interface.....................................................................................................65
Table 12 Acres and Percentages of Landslide Areas and Agriculture Interface..............................................................................................68
Table 13 Acres and Percentages of Seismic and Agriculture Interface.............................................................................................................71
Table 14 Acres and Percentages of Erosion and Agriculture Interface.............................................................................................................73
Table 15 Acres and Percentages of Habitat and Agriculture Interface............................................................................................................76
Table 16 Acres and Percentages of Wetland and Agriculture Interface..........................................................................................................78
Table 17 Acreage of Agriculture in Critical Areas by WRIA...............................................................................................................................80
Table 18 Acres of Wetland Interface By WRIA...................................................................................................................................................93
Table 19 Best Management Practices for Wetlands..........................................................................................................................................93
Table 20 Acres of CARA Interface by WRIA........................................................................................................................................................95
Table 21 Best Management Practices for CARAs...............................................................................................................................................95
Table22 Acres of Priority Species Habitat by WRIA..........................................................................................................................................97
Table 23 Best Management Practices for Fish & Wildlife Habitat...................................................................................................................97
Table 24 Acres of Flooded Areas Interface By WRIA..........................................................................................................................................99
Table 25 Best Management Practices for Frequently Flooded Areas.............................................................................................................100
Table26 Erosion Interface by WRIA...................................................................................................................................................................102
Table 27 Best Management Practices For Erosion Hazard Areas..................................................................................................................103
Table28 First Year Outreach Efforts..................................................................................................................................................................1 15
Table29 Water Typing System...........................................................................................................................................................................127
Table 30 Differences between VSP and Resource Ordinance.........................................................................................................................155
Table 31 Total Farm as Percent Total Land,2007-2012................................................................................................................................159
Table 32 Number Of Farms By Acreage,2007-2012.....................................................................................................................................159
Table 33 Number of Farms by Market Value,2007-2012.............................................................................................................................160
Table 34 Crops and Livestock Numbers and Values,2007-2012..................................................................................................................161
Table35 Farm Operators,2007-2012..............................................................................................................................................................161
Table 36 Number Of Crop And Livestock Farms,2007-2012.......................................................................................................................162
Table37 Types and Size of Crops,2007-2012................................................................................................................................................164
Table 38 Goals I And 2, Benchmarks and Adaptive Management...............................................................................................................168
Table 39 Goal 3, Benchmarks and Adaptive Management.............................................................................................................174
Table40 Monitoring..............................................................................................................................................................................................179
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
PaXe 17
WORK PLAN
TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure / Mason County Location Map..................................................................................................................................................................|5
Figure 2Mason County Town Hall, /9/4 —|S
Figure] Charles F{Mason.....................................................................................................................................................................................|6
Figure 4City 0fShelton, /Y74---'— ----'|7
Figure5Mason County WDAoMap....................................................................................................................................................................27
Figure 6High Resolution Change Detection Map,20//'20/l------_----------_----------------.4]
Figure 720/6Prelim Rovdpluin,Map SkokvmishValley...............................................................................................................................S|
Figure 8Mason County Future Land Use Map 55
Figure9Baseline Agricultural Lands......................................................................................................................................................................58
Figure /0Interface Illustration...............................................................................................................................................................................S9
Figure // Intersection OfAgricultural Lands And CARASMap......................................................................................................................... ]
Figure /220/6Aerial View ofSkvkvmishRiver Valley and SkookvmCreek................................................................................................. 6
Figure /3Intersection OfAXLands And Flooded Areas Map............................................................................................................................67
Figure /4Intersection OfAg Lands And Landslide Areas Map.........................................................................................................................69
Figure /JIntersection OfAXLands And Seismic Areas Map.............................................................................................................................72
Figure /6Intersection q[AXLands and Erosion Areas Map..............................................................................................................................74
Figure /7Intersection q[AXLands and Priority Species/Nop-----------------------------------------J7
Figure /8Intersection vfAXLands and Wetlands Map.....................................................................................................................................79
Figure /9Mosaic ofCritical Areas Map...............................................................................................................................................................8|
Figure 20Shelton Farmers Market 113
Figure2/ Wetlands Map......................................................................................................................................................................................|2|
Figure Z] Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas/Mnp_----_------_---_------'—__--------_--'|24
Figure 23 #DFM/Priority Species --}Z8
Figure24Frequently Flooded Areas Map...........................................................................................................................................................BO
Figure25Landslide Hazard Areas Map.............................................................................................................................................................|]Z
Figure 26Seismic Hazard Areas Mup-- 134
Figure27Erosion Hazard Areas Map................................................................................................................................................................|36
Figure 28Anno«Bay Shellfish Protection District Map.....................................................................................................................................|]8
Figure 2YBig Bend Shellfish Protection District Map........................................................................................................................................|4O
Figure 30McLane Cove Shellfish Protection District Map...............................................................................................................................|4Z
Figure]/ WRIA /4Kennedy GvNsbomuXhCreeks Map................................................................................................................................|44
Figure32YYRIAMap with /4b...........................................................................................................................................................................|4S
Figure]3MmIA /6JkokvmbhDvsewo0ipsMap............................................................................................................................................|47
Mason Covnty— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
Statutes
(RCW 90.82.043(2).............................................................................................................................................................................................145
Chapter84.34 RCW............................................................................................................................................................................................56
Chapter86.16 RCW...........................................................................................................................................................................................64
Chapter90.82 RCW............................................................................................................................................................................................32
RCW36.370A.703)..............................................................................................................................................................................................13
RCW36.70A.................................................................................................................................................................................................18, 154
RCW36.70A.030(9)............................................................................................................................................................................................131
RCW36.70A.030(21)..........................................................................................................................................................................................1 18
RCW36.70A.030(5)....................................................................................................................................................................................12, 118
RCW36.70A.130(8)...............................................................................................................................................................................................40
RCW36.70A.130(8)(a)...................................................................................................................................................................................30, 39
RCW36.70A.210..................................................................................................................................................................................................27
RCW36.70A.700............................................................................................................................................................................................passim
RCW36.70A.700(2)(b)..........................................................................................................................................................................................18
RCW36.70A.700(2)(0.......................................................................................................................................................................................154
RCW36.70A.702......................................................................................................................................................................................29, 30, 39
RCW36.70A.702(5)..........................................................................................................................................................................................154
RCW36.70A.703..........................................................................................................................................................................................passim
RCW36.70A.703(8)...........................................................................................................................................................................................155
RCW36.70A.703491.............................................................................................................................................................................................25
RCW36.70A.705.................................................................................................................................................................................... 14, 30, 39
RCW36.70A.705(l)...............................................................................................................................................................................................40
RCW36.70A.710(1).............................................................................................................................................................................................14
RCW36.70A.710(I)(a)........................................................................................................................................................................................104
RCW36.70A.715..................................................................................................................................................................................................14
RCW36.70A.7151Il.............................................................................................................................................................................................14
RCW36.70A.715(3)...............................................................................................................................................................................................35
RCW36.70A.720............................................................................................................................................................................. 14, 24, 25,28
RCW36.70A.720(I)........................................................................................................................................................................................27,29
RCW36.70A.720(1)(a)........................................................................................................................................................................................31
RCW36.70A.72 0(2)(b)..........................................................................................................................................................................................40
RCW36.70A.72 0(2)(i)...........................................................................................................................................................................................41
RCW36.70A.72 0(2):..............................................................................................................................................................................................40
RCW36.70A.725......................................................................................................................................................................................39,41,82
RCW36.70A.725(2)...............................................................................................................................................................................................28
RCW36.70A.735....................................................................................................................................................................................................40
RCW36.70A.745..................................................................................................................................................................................................14
RCW36.70A.750....................................................................................................................................................................................................30
RCW36.70A.760....................................................................................................................................................................................................30
RCW84.33.100....................................................................................................................................................................................................14
RCW84.34.020(2).................................................................................................................................................................................................54
RCW89.08.030.....................................................................................................................................................................................................12
RCW90.48...........................................................................................................................................................................................................105
RCW90.58...................................................................................................................................................................................................12, 154
Mason County-- Voluntary Stewardship Program
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Page 1 10
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Section8.61.010 MCC...........................................................................................................................................................................................56
Section8.61.010(5)(8)MCC.................................................................................................................................................................................56
Mason County-- Voluntary Stewardship Program
Paoc
WORK PLAN
TABLE OF ACRONYMS
7ONPill
BMP BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
CA CRITICAL AREAS
CARA CRITICAL AQUIFER RECHARGE AREA
FWHCA FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION AREA
GMA GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT
HMP HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN
ISP INDIVIDUAL STEWARDSHIP PLAN
MCC MASON COUNTY CODE
i
MEP MASON ENVIRONMENTAL PERMIT
PHS PRIORITY HABITAT SPECIES
RCW REVISED CODE OF WASHINGTON
SMA SHORELINE MANAGEMENT ACT
SMP SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM
VSP VOLUNTARY STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM
WAC WASHINGTON ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
WDFW WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
WRIA WATER RESOURCE INVENTORY AREA
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I . DEFINITIONS
AS per the GMA statute (RCW 36.70A.703), the VSP utilizes the definition of the Shoreline
Management Act (RCW 90.58.065) for agricultural activities. Other relevant definitions from Mason
County's Resource Management Code, Chapter 8.52 MCC, and Mason County's Zoning Code,
Chapter 17.06 MCC, are also presented here.
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES (as per RCW 90.58) means agricultural uses and practices
including, but not limited to: producing, breeding, or increasing agricultural products; rotating and
changing agricultural crops; allowing land used for agricultural activities to lie fallow in which it is
plowed and tilled but left unneeded; allowing land used for agricultural activities to lie dormant as a
result of adverse agricultural market conditions; allowing land used for agricultural activities to lie
dormant because the land is enrolled in a local, state, or federal conservation program, or the land
is subject to a conservation easement; conducting agricultural operations; maintaining, repairing, and
replacing agricultural equipment; maintaining, repairing, and replacing agricultural facilities, provided
that the replacement facility is no closer to the shoreline than the original facility; and maintaining
agricultural lands under production or cultivation.
AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT and AGRICULTURAL FACILITIES (as per RCW 90.58)
includes, but is not limited to: (i) The following used in agricultural operations: Equipment; machinery;
constructed shelters, buildings, and ponds; fences; upland finfish rearing facilities; water diversion,
withdrawal, conveyance, and use equipment and facilities including but not limited to pumps, pipes,
tapes, canals, ditches, and drains; (ii) corridors and facilities for transporting personnel, livestock, and
equipment to, from, and within agricultural lands; (iii) farm residences and associated equipment,
lands, and facilities; and (iv) roadside stands and on-farm markets for marketing fruit or vegetables.
AGRICULTURAL LAND (as per RCW 90.58) means those specific land areas on which
agriculture activities are conducted.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS (as per RCW 90.58) includes but is not limited to horticultural,
viticultural, floricultural, vegetable, fruit, berry, grain, hops, hay, straw, turf, sod, seed, and apiary
products; feed or forage for livestock; Christmas trees; hybrid cottonwood and similar hardwood
trees grown as crops and harvested within twenty years of planting; and livestock including both the
animals themselves and animal products including but not limited to meat, upland finfish, poultry and
poultry products, and dairy products.
AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE LAND (as per Section 17.06.010 MCC) means land designated
by Mason County as agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance.
COMMISSION (as per RCW 36.70A.703) means the Washington State Conservation Commission
as defined in RCW 89.08.030.
CRITICAL AREAS (as per RCW 36.70A.030(5)) include the following areas and ecosystems: (a)
Wetlands; (b) areas with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water; (c) fish and
wildlife habitat conservation areas; (d) frequently flooded areas; and (e) geologically hazardous areas.
Mason County-- Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
"Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas" does not include such artificial features or constructs
as irrigation delivery systems, irrigation infrastructure, irrigation canals, or drainage ditches that lie
within the boundaries of and are maintained by a port district or an irrigation district or company.
CRITICAL AQUIFER RECHARGE AREAS (as per WAC 365-190-030(3)) are 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.
DIRECTOR (as per RCW 36.370A.703) means the Executive Director of the Washington State
Conservation Commission.
EROSION HAZARD AREAS (as per WAC 365-190-120(5)) includes areas likely to become
unstable, such as bluffs, steep slopes, and areas with unconsolidated soils.
ENHANCE or ENHANCEMENT (as per RCW 36.70A.703) means to improve the processes,
structure, and functions existing, as of July 22, 2011, of ecosystems and habitats associated with
critical areas.
FREQUENTLY FLOODED AREAS (as per Section 8.52.030 MCC) means lands in the
floodplain subject to a one percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year, including floodplain
related areas of avulsion risk. These areas include, but are not limited to, streams, rivers, lakes, coastal
areas, wetlands and the like.
GEOLOGICALLY HAZARDOUS AREAS (as per WAC 365-190-120(1)) means areas that
because of the susceptibility to erosion, sliding, earthquake, or other geological events, are not suited
to the siting of commercial, residential, or industrial development consistent with public health or
safety concerns.
HAMLET (as per WAC 365-196-425) are isolated rural areas of more intense development,
including commercial, industrial, residential, or mixed-use areas. They are a subcategory of
LAMIRDs (Limited Areas of More Intense Rural Development) as defined under the Growth
Management Act. These areas were recognized during the initial adoption of the Comprehensive Plan
to permit small-scale development and prevent low density sprawl. Hamlets in Mason County include:
Bayshore, Dayton, Deer Creek, Grapeview, Lilliwaup, Matlock, Potlatch, Spencer Lake, and Tahuya.
INTERFACE is the place at which independent and often unrelated systems meet and act on or
communicate with each other.'
LANDSLIDE HAZARD AREAS (as per WAC 365-190-120(6)) areas include areas subject to
landslides based on a combination of geologic, topographic, and hydrologic factors. They include any
areas susceptible to landslide because of any combination of bedrock, soil, slope (gradient), slope
aspect, structure, hydrology, or other factors.
"Interface."Merriam-Webster.com,Merriam-Webster,www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interface.Accessed 25 May 2018
Mason County--Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
LONG TERM COMMERCIAL FORESTS are lands primarily useful for growing trees,
including Christmas trees subject to the excise tax imposed under RCW 84.33.100 through
84.33.140, for commercial purposes, and that has long-term commercial significance for growing trees
commercially.
PARTICIPATING WATERSHED (as per RCW 36.70A.703) means a watershed identified by a
county under RCW 36.70A.71 0(l) to participate in the program.
PRIORITY WATERSHED (as per RCW 36.70A.703) means a geographic area nominated by the
county and designated by the Commission.
PROGRAM (as per RCW 36.70A.703) means the Voluntary Stewardship Program established in
RCW 36.70A.705.
PROTECT or PROTECTING (as per RCW 36.70A.703) means to prevent the degradation of
critical area functions and values existing as of July 22, 2011.
RECEIPT OF FUNDING (as per RCW 36.70A.703) means the date a county takes legislative
action accepting any funds as required in RCW 36.70A.715(I) to implement the program.
STATEWIDE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (as per RCW 36.70A.703) means the statewide
advisory committee created in RCW 36.70A.745.
TECHNICAL PANEL (as per RCW 36.70A.703) means the Directors or Director designees of
the following agencies: the Department of Fish and Wildlife; the Department of Agriculture; the
Department of Ecology; and the Commission.
WATERSHED (as per RCW 36.70A.703) means a Water Resource Inventory Area, salmon
recovery planning area, or a subbasin as determined by a county.
WATERSHED GROUP or WORK GROUP (as per RCW 36.70A.703) means an entity
designated by a county under the provisions of RCW 36.70A.715.
WETLANDS (as per WAC 365-196-200(22)) means areas that are inundated or saturated by
surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal
circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil
conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas. Wetlands do not
include those artificial wetlands intentionally created from non-wetland sites, including, but not limited
to, irrigation and drainage ditches, grass-lined swales, canals, detention facilities, wastewater treatment
facilities, farm ponds, and landscape amenities, or those wetlands created after July I, 1990, that were
unintentionally created as a result of the construction of a road, street, or highway. Wetlands may
include those artificial wetlands intentionally created from non-wetland areas created to mitigate
conversion of wetlands.
WORK PLAN (as per RCW 36.70A.703) means a watershed work plan developed under the
provisions of RCW 36.70A.720.
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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2. MASON COUNTY - OVERVIEW
MASON County is situated along the southwestern portion of Puget Sound, and encompasses
roughly 1,051 square miles (672,715 acres). It borders on Jefferson County to the north, Grays
Harbor County to the west and southwest, Thurston County to the southeast, Pierce County to the
east, and Kitsap County to the northeast.
Figure 1 Mason County Location Map
a..Q.m
Jeffer4on
Ma _Washington Ida
5 >
Grays Harborls.�
Thurston
I
Source:www.worldodas.com
It is a predominantly rural county despite the urban spillover from both Thurston and Kitsap
Counties. The County has one incorporated City, Shelton, and two Native American Tribes, the
Skokomish and the Squaxin Island Tribes.
Three geological provinces combine to form Mason County.
They include the Puget Sound Lowland, the Olympic Mountains,
and the Black Hills. There are also a total of 109 waterbodies The way land is
considered to be shorelines of the state including two marine developed,undeveloped or
waterbodies (Hood Canal and South Puget Sound), 64 rivers and .farmed is a reflection of its
streams, 44 lakes nearly 709 linear miles of shoreline have been population distribution. The
Washington Office of
identified within the County? Washington
Management
projects 81,616 people will
live in Mason County by
2026—a 31%increase
Z Mason County Final Draft Shoreline Inventory and Characterization Report October 2012
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
Additionally, five watersheds exist within the County: Queets-Quinault, Lower Chehalis, Skokomish,
Hood Canal, and Puget Sound. Watersheds are physically divided areas that drain into particular
bodies of water. Watersheds are also
grouped into Water Resource Figure 2 Mason County Town Hg11, 1914
0
Source:Mason County Historical Society j,
Inventory Areas, also known as a �!
WRIA. A WRIA is a legislatively created
boundary of an area for the purposes of
formal water resource planning. Thesei77*i*;rl
five watersheds have been grouped
into five WRIAs for planning purposes: Pj
Kennedy-Goldsborough (WRIA 14), 140ar
Kitsap (WRIA 15), Skokomish-
Dosewallips (WRIA 16), Queets-
Quinault (WRIA 21), and Lower _
Chehalis (WRIA 22).3 Mason County's
rich natural resources and open spaces -
prevail across its landscape. Combined
national, state, and private forests currently account for about 61%4 of the County's land. Mineral
deposits underlie its top soils, and both agricultural and aquaculture areas contribute to the County's
natural beauty and its economy. Mason County also includes substantial open space that hosts wildlife
habitat, undeveloped natural areas, and many developed park and recreation sites.s
A report published in 1960 by the United States Department of Agriculture provides an interesting
discussion of Mason County's unique history, including its agricultural beginnings. The County was
established in March of 1854 and originally named Sawamish County after
a tribe of Indians in Thurston County. At that time, the County included
the western part of Thurston County to the Hood Canal. The name
didn't change until 1864 when it became Mason County, in honor of the
first secretary of the Territory of Washington, Charles H. Mason, who
served from 1853 until his death in 1859.
In 19o3 Mason County had a population of about 4,471. By 1950 the
population was 15,022, according to the United States Census. One-third
is urban, mainly in and around Shelton. The rest is rural. The growth
in population has been related to the expansion of the lumbering and
other wood-using industries. Agriculture has only a minor place in the
Figure 3 Charles H. Mason economy of Mason County because the soils are not suitable for farming
WA State Historical Society
3 Mason County Comprehensive Plan,2005
4 Mason County Assessor's Office,2015,and Mason County Department of Community Services
5 Mason County Comprehensive Plan,2016
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
or the terrain is too rugged. Only about 7.6 percent of the county was in farms in 1954• The
main farming communities are around Shelton, Matlock, Dayton, Kamilche, Grapeview,
Belfair, along the Pickering Passage, and in the Skokomish River Valley. Much of the land on
the average farm is covered by second growth forest or is in stump pastures. Dairying is the
most important type of agriculture; poultry raising is second. Hay is the predominant crop,
but grapes are produced in large quantities. Growing of berries and fruits and raising of beef
cattle are of lesser importance.6
Table 1 Land Use Categories?
Land-Use Total Acres Total Agriculture remains a relatively small percentage of
Residential 40,201 •8.8% Mason County's overall division of land use when
Commercial 4,361 1.0% compared to the way the rest of the County has
Transportation 2,440 0.5% developed. As Table I shows, less than 2% of the
County is actually designated as agricultural. There
Utilities 1,980 0.4% are other portions of the County where agricultural
Government 8,638 1.9% activities are permitted, but not designated as
Parks 1,968 0.4% agriculture that must also be included. Information
Agri/Aquaculture 7,633 1.7% more inclusive of smaller farming activities on other
Mining 147 0.03% land uses was extracted from the Washington
Forest 276,848 60.70% Department of Agriculture's (WDA) 2010 crop
Vacant 111,912 24.5% survey data. The total number of acres reflectine
Total 456,128 100% agricultural activities incorporating the WDA survey
is approximately 8,015: however the percentage of
total land use with the increased
agriculture acres is still approximately
2%.
With that being said, the long history
of agriculture and its perseverance in
the community continue to reflect its
importance in Mason County's culture •,
and economy. Programs that support
the protection of farming, such as the %
Voluntary Stewardship Program, provide �"` ^=' ''
Counties with additional opportunities
to facilitate and even expand this
industry in the future.
Figure 4 City Of Shelton, 1974
Source:Mason County Historical Society Museum
6 Soil Survey of Mason County,Washington Report by A.0.Ness,Soil Conservation Service,United States Department of Agriculture,and R H.
Fowler, Washington Agricultural Experiment Stations, 1960
7 Mason County Assessor's Office,201 S,and Mason County Department of Community Services
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
3. INTRODUCTION TO THE VOLUNTARY STEWARDSHIP
PROGRAM
ENACTED by the Legislature in 2011, the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) is an alternative to
traditional top-down regulations for the
protection of critical areas on agricultural
land. Enabled under the Washington State
Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A), CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT
the VSP uses a collaborative, stakeholder- ENGROSSED SUBS?ITUTB HOUSE BILL 1886
driven process to identify, coordinate, and
build on existing programs and practices
Chapter 360, Laws of 2011 i
that address agricultural effects on critical
areas. The Program directs that each 62nd Legislature
participating County create a Work Plan 2011 Regular Session
to include goals and benchmarks for
protection and enhancement of critical CRITICAL AREA PROTECTION--VOLUNTARY STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM
areas through voluntary, site- specific
stewardship plans, while also
maintaining and enhancing the long- term EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/22/11
viability of agriculture and reducing the
conversion of farmland to other uses. ---- — ----
Mason County has opted in to the VSP and reached out to stakeholders forming the VSP Watershed
Work Group to prepare the Work Plan. Within the Work Plan, the Group will develop strategies to
achieve the goals and benchmarks, together with methods of monitoring and techniques of adaptive
management. The Legislature intended counties and VSP Watershed Work Groups to 'focus and
maximize voluntary incentive programs[that]encourage good riparian and ecosystem stewardship
as an alternative to historic approaches used to protect critical areas."' (Appendix Critical Areas)
The VSP is a voluntary approach to 1) protect critical areas, 2) maintain and enhance the viability of
agriculture, and 3) promote the voluntary enhancement of critical areas through incentive-based
measures. The Program's Goals are:
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;
8 RCW 36.70A.700(2)(b)
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
c. Rely upon RCW 36.7oA.o6o 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.9
Agriculture operations that receive
incentives to keep land in farm production
and are provided protections beyond
general purpose rural zoning are less
likely to be rezoned, annexed,subdivided,
or otherwise converted out of agricultural
use.
Designating Farmland Around Puget Sound,
American Farmland Trust 2014
9 RCW 36.70A.700
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WORK PLAN
4. OVERVIEW AND HISTORY OF VSP
IN 2007, the legislature passed Substitute Senate Bill 5248 with two primary objectives — finding
a balance between the regulatory requirements and productive use of critical areas; and the
preservation of viable agricultural lands. Toward that end, the Bill
• enacted a moratorium on new critical areas regulations on agricultural uses defined in the Bill
between May I, 2007 and June 30, 2010. In 2010, the moratorium was extended until June 30,
2011 so the work could be completed.
• directed the William D. Ruckelshaus Center, a neutral policy consensus center operated by
Washington State University and the University of Washington, to convene the chief participants at
the negotiating table and search for "common ground." The Agriculture and Critical Areas
Committee, comprised of representatives from agricultural and environmental organizations,
counties, and tribes, was tasked to conduct a fact finding mission, bring together stakeholders on
this issue for discussion of the issues, and develop a recommendation to the legislature. The
Committee met for two years discussing potential solutions to protect and restore critical areas
while preserving agricultural viability.
To ensure that productive agriculture and a healthy environment can co-exist, the
Committee developed a shared vision. Desired outcomes for the future in this vision include
opportunities for the next generation of farmers and fishermen to earn a living. Critical
areas support clean water, sustainable and harvestable populations of salmon and shelyish,
and healthy and diverse populations of wildlife and plant species. Farmers would operate
successful agricultural businesses while taking the initiative to improve the environment on
their land. Washington State is already a model for local watershed groups working together
to identify problems and implement solutions. A successful agricultural stewardship
program would enable these local communities to apply cooperation, innovation, and
effective action for the advancement of agriculture and the environment.
Principles for the Agriculture and Critical Areas Stewardship Program
• Build on existing work in local watersheds.
• Emphasize voluntary stewardship first.
• Protect critical areas from further degradation, and apply consequences where volunteer
measures fall short.
• Set priorities for voluntary actions to restore and enhance critical areas.
• Enforce existing state laws for water quality and habitat.
• Work together to find funding.la
The hard work undertaken by the parties brought together by the Ruckelshaus Center concluded in
early 2011 with an agreement submitted to the legislature in the form of HB 1886. The Center
10 The William D. Ruckelshaus center, 2010. A Framework for Stewardship: Final Report on the Work of the Agriculture and Critical Areas
Committee.Washington State University,Pullman,WA and University of Washington,Seattle,WA.
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
provided the State Legislature and the Governor with A Framework for Stewardship: Final Report of the
William D. Ruckelshaus Center on the work of the Agriculture and Critical Areas Committee in October 2010.
This document ultimately prescribes that the
...framework of stewardship is characterized by choices at the county and landowner level.
In those places where agricultural activities intersect with sensitive critical areas ... promote
incentives for agricultural landowners and operators to voluntarily enhance the condition of
critical areas through restoration projects and farm management practices"
The legislature subsequently enacted Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 1886. This bill
amended the Growth Management Act to allow options for protecting critical areas that:
• Permits the County to use a voluntary stewardship program in conjunction with stakeholders in
lieu of enacting further critical areas regulations in regards to agricultural uses. At the state level,
the voluntary stewardship program is to be administered by the Washington Conservation
Commission; or
• Continue under existing law and update critical areas regulations for agricultural uses by July 22,
2013. RCW 36.70A.710(6)(a);or
• Limit the voluntary stewardship program to certain watersheds in the county, and update the
critical areas regulations for other watersheds.
00
P G
11 The William D. Ruckelshaus center, 2010. A Framework for Stewardship: Final Report on the Work of the Agriculture and Critical Areas
Committee. Washington State University,Pullman,WA and University of Washington,Seattle,WA
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
5. ORGANIZATION AND PROCESS
STATE
THE Voluntary Stewardship Program ("VSP") is administered by the Washington State Conservation
Commission ("Commission"). As such, the Commission must (a) establish implementation policies and
procedures; (b) administer funding for counties; (c) administer technical assistance funds; (d) Establish
a technical panel; (e) review and evaluate submitted work plans and reports; (f) Review and evaluate
the program's success and effectiveness; (g) designate priority watersheds; (h) provide administrative
support for statewide advisory committee; (i) maintain a program web site; (j) report to legislature on
program status; (k) conduct a review of the program every five years; and (1) report to the
appropriate committees of the legislature. The Department of Commerce, under which the Growth
Management Act is administered, shall assist counties participating in the program. The Commission,
Departments of Commerce, Agriculture, Fish and Wildlife, and Ecology, and other state agencies shall
also cooperate and collaborate to implement the program.
M7*1� PROCESS DIAGRAM
Funding is provided Plan approved
Coordinating Entity
identified
Plan
rejeded
work plan
Plan approved
Work plan idenbfies critical
areas and ag activities Ivsp Workgroups must
report on progress
Work plan includes every five years
measureable benchmarks
for program and resource Must show progress on
results benchmarks or
implement adaptive
management
Source:Washington Conservation Commission
COUNTY
The legislative authority of a county may elect to protect critical areas through a VSP program. In
order to participate, within six months after July 22, 2011, the County must have adopted an
ordinance or resolution that elects to participate, identifies the watersheds that will participate; and
nominates watersheds for consideration as state priority watersheds. The process for selecting
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
watersheds includes considering the role of farming within it, the likelihood of program success, and
the existence of other programs already in place. The process for prioritizing watersheds from those
selected goes further by evaluating fish and wildlife habitat in the region, and determining presence
of community support for effective program administration.
Adoption of the County's ordinance or resolution establishes the effective date of the program. It will
apply to all unincorporated property upon which agricultural activities occur within each participating
watershed. It also makes the County eligible for a share of the funding made available to implement
the program, subject to funding availability from the state. Until, however, adequate funding was
made available; the County was not required to implement the VSP program. When funds did
become available, the County had 60 days to designate a Watershed Work Group and an entity to
administer the funds for each watershed.
WORK GROUP
The Work Group is tasked with developing a work plan to protect critical areas while maintaining the
viability of agriculture in the watershed. The Plan must also include goals and benchmarks for the
protection and enhancement of critical areas. In developing and implementing the Work Plan, the
watershed group must:
a. Review and incorporate applicable water quality, watershed management, farmland
protection, and species recovery data and plans;
b. Seek inputfrom tribes, agencies, and stakeholders;
c. Develop goals for participation by agricultural operators conducting commercial and
noncommercial agricultural activities in the watershed necessary to meet the protection
and enhancement benchmarks of the work plan;
d. Ensure outreach and technical assistance is provided to agricultural operators in the
watershed;
e. Create measurable benchmarks that, within ten years after the receipt of funding, are
designed to result in (i) the protection of critical area functions and values and (ii) the
enhancement of critical area functions and values through voluntary, incentive-based
measures;
f. Designate the entity or entities that will provide technical assistance;
g. Work with the entity providing technical assistance to ensure that individual
stewardship plans contribute to the goals and benchmarks of the work plan;
h. Incorporate into the work plan any existing development regulations relied upon to
achieve the goals and benchmarks for protection;
i. Establish baseline monitoring for: (i) Participation activities and implementation of the
voluntary stewardship plans and projects; (ii) stewardship activities; and (iii) the effects
on critical areas and agriculture relevant to the protection and enhancement benchmarks
developed for the watershed;
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
j. Conduct periodic evaluations, institute adaptive management, and provide a written
report of the status of plans and accomplishments to the county and to the commission
within sixty days after the end of each biennium;
k. Assist state agencies in their monitoring programs; and
1. Satisfy any other reporting requirements of the program.12
When the Work Plan is complete, it is submitted to the Executive Director for the Washington
Conservation Commission for approval. An approved Work Plan extends eligibility for additional
state assistance and funding. Additionally, both commercial and non-commercial agricultural
operators participating in the program are eligible to receive funding and assistance under
watershed programs.
STATE ... AGAIN
After the Executive Director ("Director") receives the County's Work Plan, it is submitted to the
Technical Panel for review. The Technical Panel ("Panel") is made up of representatives of the
Commission, and the Departments of Agriculture, Fish and Wildlife, and Ecology. The Panel has
ninety (90) days to report to the Director if the Work Plan will, after ten years of receipt of funding,
work in conjunction with other existing plans and regulations to protect critical areas while
maintaining and enhancing the viability of agriculture in the watershed.
If the Panel determines the Work Plan will work, it must recommend approval to the Director who
must then approve the Plan. If the Panel does not recommend approval, it must describe the reasons
why to the Director, then those reasons are provided to the Work Group. The Work Group
has a total of two years and nine months to submit and receive approval of the Work Plan,
including any revisions. If that is not achieved, the Director will submit the Work Plan to the
Statewide Advisory Committee.
The Statewide Advisory Committee ("Committee") is appointed by the Commission and made up of
two representatives each from county government, agricultural organizations, environmental
organizations, and may include two representatives from tribal governments.
The Committee serves in consultation with the Director when there is disagreement as to whether
or not a submitted Work Plan meets the goals and benchmarks for successful implementation. The
Director then acts upon the recommendations of the Committee on how to proceed. If the
recommendation is that the Work Plan would likely be approvable within six months, the Director
must grant the Work Group an extension. If, however, the Committee determines that six months
will not likely result in an approvable Work Plan, then the Director does not grant an extension and
the Plan fails.
12 RCW 36.70A.720
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WORK PLAN
6. SCHEDULE AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
DEADLINES for the monitoring and reporting portions of the Voluntary Stewardship Program are
established in the statute, and begin with the date that Mason County received its funding. Each
County is required to report their Work Plan's effectiveness and accomplishments at specific periodic
increments. This reporting also initiates adaptive management based on what the County reports.
Thresholds set in the Work Plan to be met are evaluated during this reporting periods and
adaptations, if necessary, are instituted. Mason County's "receipt of funding" date, as defined in RCW
36.70A.703(9) is November 24, 2015. The following schedule is the timeline in which documents are
due under the RCW 36.70A.720 based on a tentative approval date of September 7, 2018. These
dates will necessarily shift dependent on the actual approval date of the Work Plan.
Table 2 Reporting Schedule
November 24, 2015 Receipt of Funding
September 7, 2018 Work Plan Approval Deadline— 2 years, 9 months from Receipt of Funding
Date
May 24, 2018 Submit to Technical Panel —90 days prior to deadline
August 24, 2018 Report Due to County and Commission —60 days prior to recurring
biennium periodic evaluation
November 24, 2020 Report Due to Director and County—at 5 years and recurring, if Work
Plan is meeting protection and enhancement goals and benchmarks
November 24, 2025 Report Due to Director and County—at 10 years if Work Plan is meeting
protection and enhancement goals and benchmarks
The reports will be developed by District Staff together with the Work Group. Draft reports would be
prepared and presented to the Work Group for review and comment. Comments will be addressed
and edits made to the reports, which will then be approved by the Work Group and will be distributed
to the County, WSCC, and others by the District on behalf of the Work Group. The general timing
for reporting will be as follows:
• Monitoring will focus on the measurable benchmarks and will include informal evaluations at least
every 2 years in support of the 5-year performance review, and to determine if any adaptive
management measures are needed prior to the 5-year review.
• The Work Group must report no later than 5 years after receipt of funding on whether the
protection and/or enhancement goals are being met or identify an adaptive management plan to
meet VSP goals and benchmarks.
• The Work Group must report not later than 10 years after receipt of funding, and every 5 years
thereafter, whether it has met the protection and enhancement goals and benchmarks of the Work
Plan.
Mason County-- Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
If the Work Group determines goals have not been met, they must propose and submit an Adaptive
Management Plan for achieving the goals and benchmarks. Monitoring indicators will inform the long-
term viability of the Adaptive Management Plan, based on goals for protecting critical area functions.13
The Work Group will satisfy all other reporting requirements of the Program in compliance with
RCW 36.70A.720(I).
Commercial and noncommercial
agricultural operators participating
in the program are eligible to receive
funding and assistance under
watershed programs.
RCW 36.70A.720(5j
i3 Lincoln County VSP Work Plan
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WORK PLAN
7. THE WORK PLAN
Figure 5 Mason County WRIAs Map
THE Program is intended to address
each County at the watershed level, not QUE TS-QUIN LT
on an individual property or parcel level.
In that way, the work plan can then build
`°from existing watershed plans, salmon
recovery information, water quality
SKOKO\t LSH-D OSEW.AL LIPS
cleanup plans, the Puget Sound Action KrrSAP
Agenda, and other available data, and
will incorporate information on local
agricultural conditions and objectives.s14
(Existing Plans Appendix)
Mason County includes portions of five
Water Resource Inventory Areas
(WRIAs): Kennedy- Goldsborough KENNEDY-GOLDSBOROUGH
(WRIA 14), Kitsap (WRIA 15), LONYER CHEHALIS
Skokomish-Dosewallips (WRIA 16),
Queets-Quinault (WRIA21), and Lower
DES TES
Chehalis (WRIA 22). In 2012, under
Resolution #07-12, the Board of County
Commissioners opted in to the
Voluntary Stewardship Program and nominated all five WRIAs for consideration as "priority
watersheds" pursuant to RCW 36.70A.210. The Work Plan will, however, primarily address only four
of the WRIAs. That portion of the Queets-Quinault WRIA in the very northwestern tip of Mason
County is completely within the Olympic National Park where no agricultural activity occurs and no
mapping data is available.
Once the watersheds were designated and prioritized and funding was received, the County
selected the Mason Conservation District to administer the grant and its deliverables. A VSP
Watershed Work Group ("Work Group") was established and appointed by the County to be
responsible for ensuring the program's future success. This will require, in part, the creation of a
Work Plan that outlines a strategy "to protect critical areas while maintaining the viability of
agriculture in the watershed. The work plan must include goals and benchmarks for the protection
and enhancement of critical areas.""
14 The William D. Ruckelshous Center, 2010. A Framework for Stewardship: Final Report on the Work of the Agriculture and Critical Areas
Committee. Washington State University,Pullman,WA and University of Washington,Seattle,WA
1s RCW 36.70A.720(l)
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
The Work Group's first core task is meeting the statutory test in determining whether or not "... at
the end of ten years after receipt of funding, the work plan, in conjunction with other existing plans
and regulations, will protect critical areas while maintaining and enhancing the viability of
agriculture in the watershed."1b According to the VSP statutes, the Work Plan must be approved
within two years and nine months after receipt of funding, as determined through the VSP Work
Plan Approval process, if considered to be effective over a ten year period. The Work Group's
second core task is to create measurable ten-year benchmarks designed to promote voluntary,
incentive-based measures to provide long-term protection of critical areas and to encourage voluntary
enhancements to improve critical areas. Together these voluntary incentive-based efforts reflect the
three core "test" elements of an approvable VSP Work Plan: 1) Protection of critical areas; 2)
maintenance and enhancement of agricultural viability; and 3) voluntary enhancement of critical areas
through promotion of incentive- based measures.
The Work Group has prepared this Work Plan to provide goals, measurable benchmarks, strategies
and adaptive management, leverage existing watershed plans and other programs, and to protect
critical areas and promote ag ulture. This Work Plan applies to the intersection of agriculture and
five critical areas — fish andX
bitat conservation areas, wetlands, frequently flooded areas,
geologically hazardous a eas landslide, seismic and erosion hazards), and critical aquifer
recharge reas in u 'nco poranon Co This Work Plan is intended to fulfill the VSP
legislative requirements to create a
, voluntary set of goals, benchmarks,
and planned activities. The
Crosswalk in Table 3 provides
verification that the Work Group
has included information in the
Work Plan as outlined in RCW
.- 36.70A.720.
16 RCW 36.70A.725(2)
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WORK PLAN
Table 3 Crosswalk
(a)Review and incorporate applicable water quality,watershed management, Appendix 2&
farmland protection, and species recovery data and plans; Chapter 8
(b)Seek input from tribes, agencies, and stakeholders; Chapter 9
(c)Develop goals for participation by agricultural operators conducting Chapter 19 &
commercial and noncommercial agricultural activities in the watershed Appendix 6
necessary to meet the protection and enhancement benchmarks of the work
(d)Ensure outreach and technical assistance is provided to agricultural Chapter 22 &
operators in the watershed; Chapter 23
(e)Create measurable benchmarks that, within ten years after the receipt of Chapter 19 &
funding, are designed to result in(i)the protection of critical area functions and Appendix 6
values and(ii)the enhancement of critical area functions and values through
voluntary, incentive-based measures;
(f)Designate the entity or entities that will provide technical assistance; Chapter 22
(g)Work with the entity providing technical assistance to ensure that individual Chapter 22
stewardship plans contribute to the goals and benchmarks of the work plan;
(h)Incorporate into the work plan any existing development regulations relied Chapter 21
upon to achieve the goals and benchmarks for protection;
(i)Establish baseline monitoring for: (i)Participation activities and Appendix 6
implementation of the voluntary stewardship plans and projects; (ii)
stewardship activities; and(iii)the effects on critical areas and agriculture
relevant to the protection and enhancement benchmarks developed for the
vinhorchpfl-
(j)Conductperiodic evaluations,institute adaptive management, and provide a Chapter 6 &
written report of the status of plans and accomplishments to the county and to Appendix 6
the commission within sixty days after the end of each biennium;
(k)Assist state agencies in their monitoring programs; and Chapter 21
(I)Satisfy any other reporting requirements of the program. Chapter 6
The VSP was added to the Growth Management Act for the protection of critical areas in relation to
agricultural activities. Once a VSP Work Plan has been developed for Mason County, an agricultural
operator may choose whether or not to participate in the program.
VSP statutes do not grant counties or state agencies any additional regulatory authority to protect
critical areas on lands used for agricultural activities." In order to promote producer participation
and productive discussion among VSP Work Group members, the statutes prohibit county
promulgation of new critical area regulations related to agricultural activities during the VSP process
17 RCW 36.70A.702
Mason County-- Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
(narrow exceptions apply).18 The VSP Work Plan is to rely on voluntary stewardship "as the primary
method of protecting critical areas and not require [termination] of agricultural activities". 19
Additionally, the County, through its VSP Work Plan, may not "require an agricultural operator to
discontinue agricultural activities legally existing before July 22, 2011."20 Further, nothing in the
VSP statutes requires participation from agricultural operators.21
With regard to conservation programs, the VSP is not to be administered in a manner that prevents
operator eligibility for environmental incentives, 22 and "agricultural operators implementing an
individual stewardship plan consistent with a work plan are presumed to be working toward the
protection and enhancement of critical areas'.23 Agricultural operators volunteering to participate
may withdraw from the program at any time. Also, VSP may not require participating operators who
voluntarily enter conservation contracts to protect or enhance critical areas to continue such
voluntary measures after expiration of the applicable contract.24
`a
x. . .. T ' _Z."�' ..., �r .:,151.x_ '�1°'t'►�`
18 RCW 36.70A.130(8)(a)Except as otherwise provided in (c) of this subsection,if a participating watershed is achieving benchmarks and goals for
the protection of critical areas functions and values, the county is not required to update development regulations to protect critical areas as they
specifically apply to agricultural activities in that watershed.
19 RCW 36.70A.700
20 RCW 36.70A.702
21 RCW 36.70A.705
22 RCW 36.70A.702
23 RCW 36.70A.750
24 RCW 36.70A.760
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WORK PLAN
8. EXISTING WATERSHED PLANS
IN recent history, many attempts have been made by several agencies to address the issues
surrounding watershed protection and enhancement. To leverage existing resources and avoid
redundancy with ongoing watershed planning efforts, the Work Group performed a review of some of
those existing water quality, watershed management, farmland protection, and species recovery
plans, consistent with the requirements of RCW 36.70A.720(I)(a). These plans identify major
watershed-scale issues related to natural resource functions; factors contributing to the degradation of
those functions; and strategies recommended improving those functions and/or preventing their further
degradation. A summary of the Plans reviewed in this plan can be found in Appendix 2.
SHELLFISH PROTECTION DISTRICTS
When a shellfish growing area is downgraded, RCW 90.72.045 requires the county legislative
authority to create a shellfish protection district and establish a shellfish protection program.25 In
Mason County, several districts have been established as a result of this rule including Oakland Bay,
Annas Bay, Big Bend, and McLane Cove Shellfish Protection Districts. Review of these plans
illustrates commonalities in their priorities and recommended strategies, generally centered
on water quality. The following noted priorities are a much abbreviated list aimed at the
primary concern, which is water quality, but also those than can be concurrently addressed
through VSP implementation:
PRIORITIES:
• fecal coliform bacteria
• shoreline, stormwater, and upland runoff
• non-point contamination sources
The strategies below, as interpreted from the SPD Plans, are also consistent with those of the VSP's
goals and benchmarks connecting VSP implementation to the continuation of shellfish protection and
water quality improvement. The strategies below align with those BMPs suggested and already in use
that serve to assist in the control of contaminants entering water resources.
STRATEGIES:
✓ COMPOSTING FACILITY — reduce pollution potential and improve handling of organic
wastes
25 RCW 90.72.045 Shellfish protection districts—Programs required after closure or downgrading of growing area classification—Annual report The
county legislative authority shall create a shellfish protection district and establish a shellfish protection program developed under RCW 90.72.030 or
an equivalent program to address the causes or suspected causes of pollution within one hundred eighty days after the department of health,because
of water quality degradation due to ongoing nonpoint sources of pollution has closed or downgraded the classification of a recreational or commercial
shellfish growing area within the boundaries of the county. The county legislative authority shall initiate implementation of the shellfish protection
program within sixty days after it is established.
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WORK PLAN
✓ FENCING — control movement of animals and people, especially near sensitive water
resources
✓ STORMWATER RUNOFF CONTROL — reducing and improving the quality of water leaving
a site
✓ ACCESS CONTROL — used to control the access of animals, people, and vehicles from
sensitive areas
✓ TREE/SHRUB ESTABLISHMENT —establishes long term erosion control and water quality
✓ ROOF RUNOFF STRUCTURE — protect surface water by excluding run off from
contaminated structures
✓ EDUCATION, OUTREACH AND CONSERVATION PLANS — a successful VSP will rely
heavily upon reaching out to landowners with conservation and protection information,
and securing the voluntary implementation of best management practices through
conservation planning
WATERSHED PLANNING ACT
Washington State legislature passed the Watershed Planning Act (Chapter 90.82 RCW)26 in 1998. This
legislation established a process for preparing watershed plans for 62 Water Resource Inventory
Areas (WRIAs), which roughly correspond with physiographic boundaries of drainage basins in
Washington.2' Under this new Planning Act, funding would be made available, to the extent
appropriated by the Legislature, to conduct the planning and implementation of a Watershed Plan.
Mason County received such funding in the form of a planning grant from the Washington
Department of Ecology for WRIA 14 and 16 planning efforts.
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.
1) Within one year of accepting funding under RCW 90.82.040(2)(e), the planning unit must
complete a detailed implementation plan. Submittal of a detailed implementation plan to the
department is a condition of receiving grants for the second and all subsequent years of the phase
four grant.
2) Each implementation plan must contain strategies to provide sufficient water for. (a) production
agriculture; (b) commercial, industrial, and residential use; and (c) instream flows. Each
26 RCW 90.82.010 Finding. The legislature finds that the local development of watershed plans for managing water resources and for protecting
existing water rights is vital to both state and local interests. The local development of these plans serves vital local interests by placing it in the hands
of people:Who have the greatest knowledge of both the resources and the aspirations of those who live and work in the watershed,and who have
the greatest stake in the proper,long-term management of the resources. The development of such plans serves the state's vital interests by ensuring
that the state's water resources are used wisely, by protecting existing water rights, by protecting instream flows for fish, and by providing for the
economic well-being of the state's citizenry and communities. Therefore,the legislature believes it necessary for units of local government throughout
the state to engage in the orderly development of these watershed plans.
27RCW 90.82.043
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
implementation plan must contain timelines to achieve these strategies and interim milestones to
measure progress.
3) The implementation plan must clearly define coordination and oversight responsibilities, any needed
interlocal agreements, rules, or ordinances; any needed state or local administrative approvals and
permits that must be secured, and specific funding mechanisms.
4) In developing the implementation plan, the planning unit must consult with other entities planning
in the watershed management area and identify and seek to eliminate any activities or policies that
are duplicative or inconsistent.28
Watershed planning is similar to shellfish protection but on a much larger scale and addresses the
resource as a whole, beyond just a shellfish focus. Enacted by state law, watershed planning can
involve as many stakeholders as it does objectives; however on a local scale goals again align with those
of the VSP. The priorities remain consistent with water quality, and expand to aspects of fish and
wildlife habitat. The VSP contains best management practices that either directly or indirectly affects
these priorities, and these Strategies illustrate a few of those most prominent in Mason County.
PRIORITIES:
• Fecal coliform bacteria
• Temperature
• Riparian conditions
• Runoff and sedimentation
• Erosion
• Grazing by streams and floodplains
• Loss of habitat
STRATEGIES
✓ HEAVY USE PROTECTION — provide a stable, non-eroding surface frequently used by
animals and people
✓ TREE/SHRUB ESTABLISHMENT —establishes long term erosion control
✓ NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT — control the amount and timing of soil nutrients to minimize
non-point pollution from agricultural activities
✓ PRESCRIBED GRAZING — managing stocking rates and animal grazing periods to improve
forage and function, and reduce soil erosion
28RCW 90.82.043
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✓ FILTER STRIP — reduce suspended solids and soil contaminants in runoff
✓ MULCHING — prevent excessive bank erosion, reduce emissions of particular matter
✓ WATERING FACILITY — provide designated access of drinking water for wildlife and
livestock as alternative to sensitive source
✓ EDUCATION, OUTREACH AND CONSERVATION PLANS — a successful VSP will rely
heavily upon reaching out to landowners with conservation and protection information,
and securing the voluntary implementation of best management practices through
conservation planning
The Plans evaluated under this planning process provide a few examples of those drafted, adopted, and
currently being implemented in Mason County. The best management practices as suggested in this
Program to protect and enhancement critical areas while maintaining a healthy agricultural
environment will succinctly lend themselves to further the success of its predecessors.
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9. WORK GROUP STRUCTURE AND ROLE
PER the VSP statute, "the watershed group must include broad representation of key watershed
stakeholders and, at a minimum, representatives of agricultural and environmental groups and
tribes that agree to participate".'9 The Mason Conservation District, as appointed Lead Entity
providing Technical Assistance by Mason County, has solicited participation in the VSP planning
process from individuals representing the following interests:
Skokomish and Squaxin Island Indian Tribes Washington State Department of Ecology
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife WRIA Basin Planning Units
Washington State Farm Bureau Local Agricultural Operators
Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group Local Interested Property Owners
WSU Extension Office
The District implemented a communications strategy to broadly inform the public of the development
of the VSP in Mason County. The promotions described the purpose of VSP and the formation of the
Watershed Work Group. Promotional efforts included:
• press release to the Shelton-Mason County Journal and OBER One News
• e-mail communications to
o agricultural producers and groups
o environmental groups and individuals
o residents at large
• presentations to service clubs, community clubs and organizations, and community leaders
postings to website and social media
• word of mouth
As a result, the District obtained a number of applications from interested individuals to participate in
the Work Group from the above-listed groups with the exception of the Tribes. The Squaxin Island
Tribe has expressed in two separate writings that they do not agree with the VSP approach and
declined both invitations.
No written response was received from the Skokomish Tribe after two invitations. Both Tribes are,
however, kept on the regular VSP group mailing list to keep them apprised of the activities should they
decide to provide input at some future point. As for the remainder of the list, all individual property
owners and agricultural operators who applied to be Group members were accepted as stakeholders
in this process. The composition of the group is merely a result of community members taking an
interest in the Program and the process. No applicants were denied a seat and the District
continues to leave the invitation open for additional membership. Agency representatives from this
list acting as consultants have attempted to attend the regular meetings and continue be informed
and invited.
29 RCW 36.70A.715(3)
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Members attending the Work Group meetings with some degree of regularity are listed in the table.
This group met somewhat informally for the first six to eight months before being formally appointed
by the Board of County Commissioners. Since the Group's participation is quite extensive over the
next 10 or more years, the District deemed it important to recognize the Group's stability and level
of commitment prior to formal appointment.
VSP encourages good stewardship, with a statutory goal of fostering cooperation among agricultural,
tribal, environmental, and county interests.30 The Watershed Work Group established includes the
following members:
Table 4 Watershed Work Group Membership
Name Representation Stakeholder/Consultant
BENTON, Joshua WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Consultant
BEYER, Michael Agricultural Producer Stakeholder
BLOOMFIELD, Tom Seattle Shellfish (Aquaculture) Stakeholder
BOLTZ, Larry Agricultural Producer Stakeholder
BORDEN, Allan Citizen/Property Owner Stakeholder
ECHEVERRIA, Agricultural Producer Stakeholder
EWALD, Erin Taylor Shellfish (Aquaculture) Stakeholder
-------._---_.
HAGER, Laurie Agricultural Producer Stakeholder
DANNY, Fran Agricultural Producer Stakeholder
LADNER, Katie ------Small Farm Owner _ Stakeholder
MCCALLUM, Agricultural Producer Stakeholder
Michelle
REHWALDT, Jeanne Mason Matters Consultant/Stakeholder
SHEFFELS, Evan Washington Farm Bureau Consultant
SHORT, William Agricultural Producer Stakeholder
STEWART, Myrn Agricultural Producer Stakeholder
WALDBILLIG, Chris WA Dept. of Fish-& Wildlife Consultant
The Work Group remains open to additional members over time, and is responsible for developing
and implementing the Work Plan. This responsibility comprises the following tasks: designating
technical assistance providers, identifying outreach and implementation approaches, setting goals and
benchmarks, establishing a monitoring plan, regular reporting, and adaptive management of established
goals. The Work Group is also responsible for developing and administering the Work Plan on an
ongoing basis throughout implementation and monitoring.
The Mason County VSP Work Group conducted its first meeting on June 28, 2016 and began meeting
regularly in January of 2017. Early in the Group's process a SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses,
Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis was conducted to help focus their efforts throughout the
30 RCW 36.70A.700
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process. (SWOT Appendix) This exercise provided a foundation for
further discussions around how the agriculture community viewed
farming in Mason County. It also served as an educational piece for
District Staff to better understand the interests and needs of local
farmers. The Work Group has welcomed the participation of
interested parties and has drawn a distinction between the FOR
Stakeholders and the public agency representatives who attend the IMMEDIATE
meetings as "consultants". This is to clarify the decision-making RELEASE
process for developing a Work Plan, to encourage the public agencies
to provide technical assistance to Stakeholders, and to maintain the
neutrality of these agencies within the VSP process. In June of 2016, the
District issued a
As earlier stated, the County received funding in the form of a New Release
grant awarded by the Washington Conservation Commission announcing the
("Commission"). The Commission has provided funding to Mason County was ready to
County for the development of the Work Plan as required for the begin developing the
implementation of the VSP, consistent with RCW 36.70A.700-760 Voluntary
and related statutes. The Mason Conservation District ("District") Stewardship Program
has been selected by the Mason County Board of Commissioners and soliciting the
as the technical lead to develop the Work Plan and to provide Work Group's
assistance to landowners, subject to the availability of adequate membership.
funding. The District is a non-regulatory local agency which already
works closely with rural landowners developing voluntary
conservation plans for individual parcels. It also helps connect
landowners with grants and loans to help them implement the
conservation plan in a manner that helps conserve natural resources
and support agriculture.
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10. MEET THE "PROTECT CRITICAL AREAS" TEST
THIS Work Plan must detail how Mason County, through its VSP, will protect critical areas while
maintaining and enhancing the viability of agriculture within each watershed. The definition of
protection in the legislation under the VSP indicates that "`protect' or protecting' mean to prevent
the degradation of functions and values existing as of July 22,2011.s31
Important elements of this definition of "protection" include the terms "degradation of functions and
values" from the baseline date of July 22, 2011 and what information is available as of that date. Here
the County faces a challenge in determining the condition of its critical areas at the July 2011 date,
together with assessing the level of degradation that may have occurred since then, and its nexus to
agriculture. Using that analysis a strategy of protection from further degradation can be achieved.
See Critical Areas Appendix for a description of the Critical Areas in Mason County and their 2011
Baseline Maps.
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31 RCW 36.70A.703
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II . MEET THE "MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE AGRICULTURAL
VIABILITY" TEST
THE VSP Work Plan must "maintain and enhance" agricultural viability to receive approval.32 Some
VSP statutory sideboards implicitly help to maintain agricultural viability. For instance, the VSP Work
Plan is to rely on voluntary stewardship "as the primary method of protecting critical areas and
not require cessation of agricultural activities."33 The County, and the VSP Work Plan, may not
"require an agricultural operator to discontinue agricultural activities legally existing before July 22,
2011."34
Also, VSP statutes do not grant counties or state agencies any additional regulatory authority to
protect critical areas on lands used for agricultural activities.35 (Regulatory Context Appendix) In
order to promote producer participation and productive discussion among Work Group members,
VSP statutes prohibit county from proclaiming any new critical area regulations related to agricultural
activities during the VSP process (narrow exceptions apply).36 Further, nothing in the VSP statutes
requires participation from agricultural operators.37
i
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32 RCW 36.70A.725
33 RCW 36.70A.700
34 RCW 36.70A.702
35(bid
36 RCW 36.70A.130(8)(a)
37 RCW 36.70A.705
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12. CREATE AND MEET PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT
BENCHMARKS
THE statute requires the Work Group to
[c]reate measurable benchmarks that, within ten years after the receipt of funding, are
designed to result in (i) the protection of critical area functions and values and (ii) the
enhancement of critical area functions and values through voluntary, incentive-based
measures.'s
The VSP legislation further states the "program shall be designed to protect and enhance critical
areas on lands used for agricultural activities through voluntary actions by agricultural operators.""'
Failure to meet a goal or benchmark set in the Work Plan will result in plan failure and will trigger a
regulatory approach to critical areas protection.40
Though critical area enhancement is not part of the initial VSP Work Plan Approval test, the Work
Plan must also include benchmarks for promotion and implementation of voluntary actions designed
to protect and enhance critical areas. The definition of "protection" is provided in early Chapters.
The VSP legislation's definition of "enhancement" or "enhance" "means to improve the processes,
structure, and functions existing, as of July 22, 2011, of ecosystems and habitats associated with
critical areas. ,41
r *
38 RCW 36.70A.720(2)(b)
39 RCW 36.70A.705(l)
40 RCW 36.70A.720(2);RCW 36.70A.735;RCW 36.70A.130(8)
41 RCW 36.70A.703
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13. BASELINE CONDITIONS AND MONITORING
BASELINE, in the context of VSP, is a term used to describe the physical state of critical areas and
farm lands in Mason County as of July 22, 2011, the effective date of VSP legislation. This includes
measurable information regarding the types, locations, and sizes of critical areas, as well as farms.
From this, the Work Group can monitor the progress in implementing the Work Plan's measurable
benchmarks.
The Plan must establish baseline monitoring for: (i) participation activities and implementation of the
voluntary stewardship plans and projects; (ii) stewardship activities; and (iii) the effects on critical
areas and agriculture relevant to the protection and enhancement benchmarks developed for the
watershed.az The baseline status of critical areas and their intersection with agricultural activities are
identified later in this document. Though measurable benchmarks for agricultural viability are not
required by the VSP legislation, these suggested activities should be considered throughout plan
implementation to further the combined goals of "protect[ing] critical areas while maintaining and
enhancing the viability of agriculture in the watershed.,41
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42 RCW 3 6.70A.72 0(2)(i)
43 RCW 36.70A.72S
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14. BASELINE BANKING
CONSIDERING a period of time has passed between the 2011 baseline and the approval of this
Work Plan, it would follow logic that some efforts to protect critical areas and enhance agricultural
viability have already taken place. Those activities could be considered as improving the County's
"bottom line" when it comes to both protection and enhancement efforts of critical area; as well as
agriculture. A summary of protection efforts on agricultural lands has been compiled in the table
below establishing a "banking" of positive efforts toward the overall achievement of the Work Plan's
goals.
NAIP HIGH RESOLUTION AERIAL IMAGERY CHANGE DETECTION
Advances in digital imaging and Federal initiatives to monitor agriculture have led to the acquisition of
state-wide I-meter aerial imagery for 2006, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015 made available by the
National Agricultural Imagery Program. The high accuracy, fine scale, and broad scope of this data
set provide a unique opportunity to address land use and land cover questions.
In this Work Plan, the Mason Conservation District will use the High Resolution Change Detection'
("HRCD") model to track the changes in critical areas as often as the information is updated.
This data covers all areas of Puget Sound for which bare earth LiDAR45 data was available,
including WRIA's I through 19. WRIAs 14, 15, and 16 cover most of Mason County, omitting
WRIA 22 (Lower Chehalis) which was not part of the data set. The map illustrates the areas of
detected change (green) in the eastern and northeastern parts of the County and extending beyond.
No data appears in the lower southwestern portion.
The analysis performed with HRCD quantifies new impervious and semi-pervious surfaces and canopy
loss over periods of time. In Mason County, these include the periods from 2006 to 2009, 2009 to
2011 and 2011 to 2013. Considering the baseline dates for VSP is July 22, 201 I, the 2011-2013 data
set was used to establish changes that occurred in Mason County post 201 1.
A GIS analysis was conducted by the District utilizing the change detection data together with
agricultural lands in the County. Of approximately 6,037 acres of detected change in the County
post 2011, approximately 28 acres, or 0.5%, of that were on agricultural lands. This reflects a
relatively small amount of change resulting in increased impervious surface or decrease in tree canopy
in Mason County's agricultural lands. Comparing this data set to the information collected for the
two preceding years, there were approximately 7,051 acres of detected change in the County, with
165 of those acres on lands with agricultural activities.
44 Developed under a Salmon Recovery Funding Board grant to the Habitat Science Division of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
45 LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging and is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges
(variable distances)to the Earth. oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/LiDAR
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Figure 6 High Resolution Change Detection Map, 2011-2013
During that four year period a significant reduction in change was detected; however, additional data
would be needed post 2013 to conclude any trends toward overall improvement. The following table
breaks down these changes over both collection periods by WRIA.
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Table 5 HRCD Detected Changes by WRIA (Acres)
m Z v
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O 0 0)r L L Q 1= L v 0 ro i C � � `� � E L
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14 27.6 26.5 0.5-------0" .8 109.4 105.1 4.8 1.7
15 0.2 0.1 0.06 0.06 0.1 0.05 0.02 0
16 0.6 0.5 0 0.1 55.2 55.1 0.05 0
Totals 28.3 27.2 0.6 1.0 164.8 160.2 4.8 1.7
From the table it can be deduced that most of the changes detected were a reduction of tree canopy
and mostly in WRIA 14 in both time periods.
MASON CONSERVATION DISTRICT BMP PROJECTS
Analysis of the District records for BMPs implemented in Mason County as of July 2011 produced the
following table. These projects reflect local efforts by agricultural operators to voluntarily improve and
protect critical areas on their property.
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Table 6 Mason Conservation District BMP Projects as Of July 2011
Brush Management 6.5
Herbaceous Weed 127
Control
Conservation Cover .19
Fencing .625
Use Exclusion 12
Tree/shrub site .03
preparation
Roof runoff structures I each
Heavy use protection .03
area
Nutrient management 9.5
Subsurface drain .02
Tree/shrub site .43 157
preparation
Tree/shrub site .06
preparation
Tree/shrub .06 .12
establishment
Stream habitat 10.75
improvement &
management
Herbaceous weed 1,700
control
Prescribed grazing I
Tree/shrub 2.5
establishment
Wetland enhancement 30
Grading, shaping, re- .15
leveling
Engineered log jam 6 each 1,744
Brush management .35 .35
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USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE — CONSERVATION
PRACTICES
The table below reflects information received from the Washington office of the Natural Resources
Conservation Service for conservation practices implemented in Mason County from 2011 through
2017. While the location of these practices is protected, the types and amounts over this time
period can provide a history from which projected benchmarks can be extrapolated.
Table 7 NRCS Conservation Practices 2011-2017
Code Practice Unit Amount/Year
2011 2012 2013 2014
560 Access Road Feet 95 425
314 Brush Management Acres 6 4.1 12.4
340 Cover Crop Acres 1 0.1
342 Critical Area Acres 0.7
Planting
647 Early Successional Acres 3
Habitat
Development/Mgmt
382 Fence Feet 200 2895 1710 2275
383 Fuel Break Acres 8.6
561 Heavy Use Area Acres 0.1 1 1 0.1 3 0.1 0.3
Protection
315 Herbaceous Weed Acres 5.6 6.6
Control
325 High Tunnel System Sq. Ft. 1 2160
441 Irrigation System, Acres 1.1
Micro-irrigation
442 Irrigation System, Acres 16.2
Sprinkler
430DD Underground, Feet 1180
Plastic
516 Livestock Pipeline Feet 675 250
634 Manure Transfer N° I
484 Mulching Acres 1.3 4.7
590 Nutrient Acres 1 139.8 0.1 21.4
Management
500 Obstruction Acres 3
Removal
582 Open Channel Feet 90
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Code Practice Unit Amount/Year
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
595 Pest Management Acres 5.8 7.8 3
516 Pipeline Feet 740 588 765
528 Prescribed Grazing Acres 1 120
643 Restoration of Rate Acres 24.3 7.9 20.5 29.3 28.9
or Declining
Natural
Communities
391 Riparian Forest Acres 3.6
Buffer
558 Roof Runoff N° 1 7
Structure
798 Seasonal High Sq. Ft. 2178.1 4080
Tunnel for Crops
381 Silvopasture Acres 6
395 Stream Habitat Acres 1 0.7
Improvement and
Management
612 Tree/Shrub Acres 3.9 1.7 1.7 3.5 16.4 2.8
Establishment
660 Tree/Shrub Pruning Acres 1 1.5 7 4
490 Tree/Shrub Site Acres 7 9.5 0.5 21.2 3 8.5
Preparation
620 Underground Feet 822
Outlet
313 Waste Storage No I I
Facility
614 Watering Facility N° 3 1 1 5 2
Aside from the NRCS data that cannot be assigned to a specific WRIA, this Chapter illustrates some
activities already occurring in the target area for this Program's efforts to build on. Monitoring efforts
for future protection and enhancement measures will follow through the strategies discussed in the
remainder of this plan. According to the data collected, Table 8 below reflects critical area acres
improved verses acres impacted to show a net baseline.
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Table 8 Net Baseline Acres of Critical Area Improvements
WRIA -CA-Ac,r1e,s,,Improved CA Acres Changed . - .
14 145 27.6117.4
15 .12 0.2 .10
16 1,477 0.6 1476.4
22 .35 -- .35
What are important to record from the table above are the acres of improvement that has
occurred in each WRIA since the baseline date of July 22, 2011. Since the VSP requires that critical
areas be protected and/or enhanced, the acres as established by that date must be maintained or
increased. In WRIA 14, 129 acres of critical areas have already been improved, as have 1,743 acres
in WRIA 16. While any decrease in critical areas is not the goal of VSP, these two WRIAs have
already established a margin of improvement should either of them suffer a loss. WRIAs 15 and 22
have minimal recorded improvements and will need to maintain the acres established in 2011.
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15. MONITORING
DETERMINING the success of the Voluntary Stewardship Program over a ten-year period requires
the ability to monitor the lands which are subject to it. The Program is intended to protect and
enhance critical areas on agricultural lands as they were in July of 2011 through voluntary
incentivized measures. It is also aimed at improving agricultural viability through those same or
additional measures. Later Chapters outline goals and benchmarks to implement the Program,
with reporting measures at periodic intervals to determine its success. Should efforts prove
ineffective at reaching the goals and benchmarks, then adaptive management will be instituted. The
monitoring element of this Work Plan is where the data is collected over time to indicate changes,
both positive and negative. In order to achieve effective monitoring, the data sets must be observable
over time — they must be updateable in order to be monitored and analyzed as a performance
measure of the Program. Each data set obtained for measuring critical areas and agricultural lands has
historical significance, but not all of them have the capacity to be updated for this Program's purposes.
Appendix 7 of this Work Plan provides a table of Monitoring Tools District Staff will be utilizing over
the next several years to determine if various benchmarks are being achieved. The Tools, the
information they provide, resources for accessing those Tools, and a monitoring schedule are
contained in the Appendix including:
• Best Management Practices (BMP) - are specific on the ground activities designed to both
improve agricultural activities and protect critical areas. A list if BMPs most commonly used in
Mason County is provided in Appendix 8 with a brief description of their use and application.
These practices originated from the Natural Resources Conservation Service in their list of
Conservation Practices. Many of these are also found, and illustrated, in the Individual
Stewardship Plan Overview and Checklist in Appendix 9.
• Individual Stewardship Plans (ISP) - target the goals of this Work Plan by addressing agricultural
activities with critical areas. An ISP is a site-specific plan for individual agricultural operations
that identifies agricultural activities and conservation practice options that promote agricultural
business viability while protecting and voluntarily enhancing critical areas.
• Restoration and Conservation Projects for salmon habitat — to show habitat enhancement
projects and areas. This resource is a tracking site to view various projects within Mason
County and can be monitored for habitat enhancement. The Habitat Work Schedule data
system 46 illustrates implementation of some of the watershed plan strategies that have
implicit protection and enhancement objectives. Land acquisition and conservation easements
represent protection of critical areas while restoration and enhancement actions would
improve the quality of critical areas functions and values. These actions are not limited to
46 The Lead Entity Habitat Work Schedule system is the mapping and project tracking tool that allows Lead Entities to share habitat protection and
restoration projects with funders and the public
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
areas with agricultural activities, although activities related to agriculture are highlighted for the
purpose of this Work Plan.
• NAIP High Resolution Aerial Imagery Change Detection — a digital analysis of land cover
changes that have occurred in the County's landscape over time. This resource is discussed in
further detail in Chapter 13.
Local Jurisdictional Maps — Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas, Geologically Hazardous Areas, Frequently
Flooded Areas, Future Land Use Map, Wetlands, Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas. Maps and
mapping data obtained from the County's GIS Division is available and updated on various schedules.
As noted in the beginning of this Chapter, mapping data used to create the Critical Area maps and
subsequent tables may not be updated in an efficient or timely manner to provide a useful monitoring
tool for the purposes of this Work Plan. However, District Staff will continue to review the data for
updates as they occur.
• Geologically Hazardous Areas - data has not been updated by Mason County since the
inception of their Comprehensive Plan in 1996, or in any subsequent updates. Generally,
however, these types of areas are a result of soil composition and soil stability which do not
change over short periods of time— relatively speaking.
• Critical Aquifer Recharge Area (CARA) - data maps were developed for the County by a
geologist named Gordon Adams in 1999. Several funding requests in an attempt to update
these maps have fallen short of fruition and are unlikely to be heeded in the foreseeable future.
The type of studies needed to update CARA maps are quite costly and labor intensive.
• Wetlands - mapping was created from the National Wetlands Inventory and imported into the
District's GIS system to create mapping layers. This is a fluid mapping system, pardon the
expression, that changes annually as new information is observed. The caution to this,
however, is that wetlands are estimated using "high altitude
imagery" and not necessarily ground-truthed. Changes to 3;00A
wetlands could, in fact, be noted over the next ten years in "Interpretation of these
areas subject to this Work Plan's monitoring program [Critical Aquifer Recharge
depending on their size and physical change. However, on a Area]data sources was
small scale, such as a single farm in a single county, impacts — performed by Geologist
increases or decreases — may not be recognized using the GordonAdams.An
USDFW imaging techniques. Wetlands mapping will be explanation of that
included in this Work Plan's monitoring as an updateable interpretation is included in a
letter from Gordon Adams
data set. dated March 29,1999."
• Frequently flooded areas - are designated by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through their Section 8.52.12o(i)(B)(vii)MCC
Flood Insurance Rate Program and adopted by local
governments for regulation. In Mason County frequently B113CIq
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flooded areas are not regulated under the Critical Areas Ordinance (Resource Ordinance)
but instead under a separate Flood Damage Prevention ordinance adopted in the Building and
Construction code. These areas are regulated by the County under a set of regulations
prescribed by FEMA and subject to their ultimate approval. It is likely that since this critical
area is not included in the Critical Areas ordinance that it is not subject to VSP and the Flood
regulations will be maintained as a regulatory backstop. The maps generated for this Work
Plan containing frequently flooded areas reflect the most current data as compiled by FEMA
and adopted by Mason County. Considering these maps were most recently updated prior to
this in the 1980s, it is not likely that the mapping will be updated again in this Programs life
cycle.
Figure 7 2016 Prelim Floodplains Map -Skokomish Valley
r'-
Source: Mason County, Department of Public Works, GIS Division
• Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas maps - were created from data received from
the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The data is updated as species and habitat
are found in the field and as funding permits; this is not a suitable database for use as a primary
monitoring tool.
What can be updated for monitoring purposes is the amount and location of agricultural activities.
Data utilized to map agricultural land and land with agricultural activities will be the easiest to obtain
and update for monitoring purposes. This information is updated in the Assessor's database
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during their annual cycles of evaluation for taxing purposes and for properties put in or taken out of
the County's open space program. Additionally, the District works with landowners who practice
agricultural activities on their property that may not be designated as agricultural; this property can be
included in the inventory for monitoring purposes as well.
• Designated Agricultural Lands —a list of property listed as tax exempt for agricultural purposes.
Parcel lists obtain from the Mason County Assessor's Office indicate property enrolled in an
agriculture open space program. This is not an inclusive list of agricultural activities as not all
operators choose to participate in these types of programs or do not meet the states minimum
requirements.
• Census of Agriculture — conducted by the U.S. Department of Department of Agriculture.
Conducted every five years, this is a count of farms and ranches, and the people who operate
them. Much information has been extracted from this Census and provided in Appendix 5.
The last Census was in 2012, and information from the 2017 Census will be available in
February of 2019. At that time, tables utilizing that information will be updated.
• Agricultural Land Use Crop Survey Data — conducted by the Washington Department of
Agriculture. This survey conducted every three years uses field work and specialized crop
identification. This type of survey encompasses agricultural activities on lands that may not be
in open space programs or designated in the future land use map, but are nonetheless
agricultural.
Other sources for monitoring were discussed during the Formal Review Process with the Washington
Conservation Commission's VSP Technical Panel. These data sites and resources will provide the
District and Work Group with additional tools to improve the County's baseline as well as implement
more comprehensive monitoring program. These sources have received a cursory review by Staff for
inclusion in order to meet VSP statutory approve deadlines, and will be more fully explored for the
Work Plan's implementation. These include:
• Mason County's Water Quality 303(d) Listings — provided by the Washington Department of
Ecology for categorizing polluted waters. Ecology assesses water quality under the Federal
Clean Water Act to ensure they are restored and maintained as fishable and swimmable. Once
assessed, waters are classified into one or five categories.
Waters whose beneficial uses (such as for drinking, recreation, aquatic habitat, and industrial
use) that are impaired by pollutants are placed in the polluted water category (category 5) of
the water quality assessment. The 3o3(d) list, so called because the process is described in
Section 3o3(d)of the Clean Water Act, lists waters in the polluted water category.47
47 https:llecology.wo.gov/Water-ShorelineslWater-quality/Water-improvement/Assessment-of state-waters-303d
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WORK PLAN
• Mason County's 303(d) listings can be found on Ecology's website and include several category
5 locations with quality impairments such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and bacteria.
Within these parameters for water quality, potential agriculture related sources could include
animal waste (bacteria), organic matter decomposition (dissolved oxygen, pH), and
erosion/sediment/canopy cover (temperature).48 It is District Staffs intent to utilize the 303(d)
listings in the VSP process by cross reference agricultural activities with listed sites for potential
contaminant sourcing as well as future protection practices.
https:llfortress.wa.gov/ecy/approvedwqalApprovedSearch.aspx
• Washington State Department of Health Source Water Assessment Program — provides a
resource to inform as to drinking water sources and potential activities that could cause
contamination. Developed under the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments, this
program and its mapping application will allow District Staff to determine if agricultural activities
are located near drinking water sources in order to avoid potential contamination.
haps://fortress.wa.gou/doh/eh/maps/SWAP/index.html
https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironmenVDrinkingWaterlSourceWater/Source
WaterProtection
• NOAA Office of Coastal Management Coastal Change Analysis Program Regional Land Cover —
provides a data set that allows documentation of land cover changes over time including
wetlands, impervious surface and agriculture. District Staff will obtain the information available
for Mason County and analyze changes occurring between 2010 and 2016 for monitoring
purposes. This data will complement other land cover data the County has already
incorporated into the Work Plan.
https:&coasLnoaa.gov/digitalcoastldata/cca-12regional.html
as Lincoln County VSP Work Plan
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16. AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES
AGRICULTURE as a land use or as a resource land is represented in the County's Comprehensive
Plan
"as land primarily devoted to the commercial production of horticultural, viticultural,
floricultural, dairy, apiary, vegetable, or animal products or of berries, grain, hay, straw,
turf, seed, Christmas trees, or livestock, and that has long term commercial significance for
agricultural production."49
This is similar to how it is defined under the Growth Management Act. However, as discussed in the
opening paragraph of Chapter I, agriculture for the purposes of VSP is being evaluated by the way it is
defined under the Shoreline Management Act (SMA). The GMA defines agriculture in a fairly broad
sense and primarily focuses on the product; and GMA has no comparable definition for agricultural
activities. The Mason County Resource Management Ordinance has also created within it a
definition of agricultural activities50 that bares some similarities to that of the SMA. In the case of the
VSP, using a definition that is standardized statewide and covers a broader range of activity allows for
uniformity among the local individual Work Plans.
The first rendition of the Comprehensive Plan adopted in 1996 described the history of agriculture
practices in Mason County as having
taken place...since the early days of logging. The clear-cutting practices of those early logging
companies opened a considerable amount of County land to agriculture, particularly to
dairying and cattle raising. Crop production was limited to the growing of hay, berries and
potatoes. In the eastern part of the County where the weather was milder, extensive vineyards
and fruit orchards were planted. Despite its rich agricultural history, however,Mason County
is not well-endowed with the resources necessary to create a strong competitive advantage for
agricultural production. Consequently, agriculture's current role in Mason County's economy
is relatively minor.51
The regulation of agricultural land, as well as forestry and mining resource lands, is found in the
County's Resource Ordinance. Resource lands are "designated' as such as by a specific set of
criteria. As a designated resource land, the Ordinance acknowledges the unique importance of the
resource and affords it a distinct classification and development standards that focus on protection
and preservation from encroachment and conversion of use.
49 Mason County Comprehensive Plan,Chapter IV,2005 Update,Mason County,Washington
50"Agricultural activities and existing and ongoing agriculture"means those activities conducted on lands defined in RCW 84.34.020(2), and those
activities involved in the production of crops and/or raising or keeping livestock, including the operation and maintenance of farm and stock ponds,
drainage ditches,operation and maintenance of ditches,irrigation systems including irrigation laterals,canals or irrigation drainage ditches,and normal
operation,maintenance and repair of existing serviceable agricultural structures,facilities or improved areas,and the practice of aquaculture.Activities
which bring an area into agricultural use are not part of an ongoing operation.An operation ceases to be ongoing when the area on which it is being
conducted is converted to a nonagricultural use or has Iain idle for more than five years, unless the idle land is registered in a federal or state soils
conservation program,or unless the activity is maintenance of irrigation ditches,laterals,canals or drainage ditches related to an existing and ongoing
agricultural activity.
51 Mason County Comprehensive Plan,Chapter IV,2005 Update,Mason County, Washington
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Much of the agricultural land within the County is located in the rural areas, outside the urban
growth areas. According to the Mason County Assessor's records, there were 387 parcels in 2011
with the taxing classification of agricultural or agricultural open space. These parcels combined total
approximately 6,400 acres of agricultural land. Understanding that not all land being utilized for
agricultural activity is officially recognized, data must be gathered from other resources to obtain a full
picture of agriculture in Mason County. Agricultural resource land as described by the Resource
Ordinance may or may not be included in the Assessor's data base and would need to be accounted
for from other sources including the Future Land Use Map.
Figure 8 Mason County Future Land Use Map
MASON COUNTY M
Future Land Use Map •
w-ey.ur e
t
r
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Lopend y ! e
Mason County WRIAs
ESCRIP ELI •
-.• Agricultural Resource lands
ml City
Hamlet n t
Indian Reservation b I
Innolding Lands
Long Term Commercial Fores
Olympic National Forest oTj ,� ♦ ':
Olympic National Park
Rural
Rural Activity Center 9k�, 1• o '
r .
Urban Growth Area
Water �
Parcels
Waterbodies ',� • - �� J'
a f
Mason Coun � ��- o r r` e T ••..� .
Date:1112920t7
Mason , ENE
E`n-
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Dlstrict • • e
0 225 4.5 9NOes
t � �
Source: Mason County, Department of Public Works, GIS Division
The Future Land Use Map (above) also created in 1996, depicts agricultural land as several areas
of brown. In this case, these parcels were designated under a specific set of criteria in addition to
any associated taxing classification utilized in the Assessor's data. These lands, in order to qualify for
designation had to be,
(1) an existing commercial agricultural use (as of the date of designation) or where the
property was used for agricultural purposes as of January 1991, where identified by
property tax classification in the open space - agriculture property tax classification
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
program pursuant to Chapter 84.34 RCW or where agricultural use has been identified
as the principal use of the property,are presumed to meet this criteria;
(2) a minimum parcel size of ten acres;and
(3) has prime farmland soils;
(4) is surrounded by lands qualifying under classification criteria 1 to 3;or
(5) is an upland fin fish hatchery.52
In addition to the qualifying criteria outlined above, the Comprehensive Plan and the Resource
Ordinance provide protections for designated and non-designated agricultural land through a
Preferential Right to Farm. This means that,
(A) No resource use or any of its component activities shall be or become a nuisance,private
or public, by any changed conditions in or about the locality thereof after the same has
been in operation for more than five years, when such operation was not a nuisance at
the time the operation began; provided that the provisions of this subsection shall not
apply whenever a nuisance results from the negligent or improper operation of any such
operation or its component activities, and the property owner follows the standards of
this chapter.
(B) A resource operation shall not be found to be a public or private nuisance if the operation
conforms to local,state,and federal law and best management practices.
(C) A farm or forest operation shall not be restricted to time of day or days of the week, but
shall be conducted according to best management practices pursuant to state law.
(D) A farm or forest operation shall be free from excessive or arbitrary regulation.53
The Resource Ordinance further protects agricultural lands by requiring,
All plats, short plats, large lot subdivision, development permits, and building permits issued
for activities on, or within five hundred feet of lands designated as agricultural resource lands
shall contain the following notification: This property is within or near designated
agricultural resource lands on which a variety of commercial activities may occur at times
and that are not compatible with residential development. Residents of this property may be
subject to inconvenience or discomfort associated with these activities including, but not
limited to: dust,odor,noise and chemical applications.154
The Open Space Taxation Act...states that it is in the
best interest of the state to maintain,preserve,conserve
and otherwise continue in existence adequate open
space lands for the production of food,fiber,and forest
crops and to assure the use and enjoyment of natural
resources and scenic beauty for the economic and social
52 Section 8.61.010 MCC well-being of the state and its citizens.
53 Section 8.52.040(5)MCC RCW84.34
54 Section 8.61.010(5)(6)MCC
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17. ESTABLISHING THE AGRICULTURAL BASELINE
IN order to evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of this Work Plan, there must be an established
baseline of conditions from where to begin. As discussed earlier, the effective date of the VSP
program, July 22, 2011, is that date from which each jurisdiction's baseline conditions must be set.
Obtaining this information can be challenging; especially if the data was never actually created or
gathered at the time. Not every County will have data from 2011 and will need to accommodate this
requirement with the best information available. Data for the agricultural landscape of Mason County
was gathered from several resources: the Mason County Comprehensive Plan's Future Land Use
Map, the Mason County Assessor's Office, the Washington State Department of Agriculture, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, and the Mason Conservation District. The Agricultural Lands Map (Figure
9) is a compilation of designated agricultural resource lands from the Mason County Comprehensive
Plan's Future Land Use Map (2005), the Mason County Assessor's data on agricultural open space land
(as of 201 1) and Washington Department of Agriculture's crop survey data (2010). This is the most
comprehensive portrayal for a baseline overview of agricultural lands in Mason County. This map
shows 605 agricultural parcels covering 8,015 acres.
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Figure 9 Baseline Agricultural Lands
MASON COUNTY of
Baseline Agricultural Lands w- -E
s
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I
0 Mason County Boundary
2011 Agricultural Activities Baseline
0 WRIAs sH
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Parcels --�- -
Date:7/31/2013
s
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-��Y,_.{f�yY .ice• i -
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Mason
Conservation = -•- ;
District
0 3.25 6.5 13 Miles
Source.Mason County and WA Department ofAgriculture
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page X59
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18. AGRICULTURAL LANDS AND CRITICAL AREAS
INTERFACE
THE following Chapters describe the overlap, or interface, of agricultural lands with the County's
critical areas. Each critical area is regulated under the Resource Ordinance with specific guidelines
targeting protection and preservation. Unlike zoning, critical area regulations are designed to create
an environment that safeguards the resource from development impacts, including agriculture. Each
critical area is different and how it interfaces with agricultural activity varies depending on the use
and intensity. The figure below is a visual representation of how the term "interface" is being applied
in this Plan. The tables below summarize the statistics of agricultural land located near or in critical
areas.
Figure 10 Interface Illustration
Agricultural Land
.,.��`�•. •.�� ace
\ tie
� Wetland
w �� ♦ ��
Table 9 Acres and Percentages of Agriculture and Critical Area Interface
Critical Total Total Acres Of Acres Of Of Of
Area Of
"CA19 ss CA Interface Interface Interface
CARA 121,084 8,015 4,254 53% 3%
Flooded 59,535 8,015 3,048 38% 5%
Areas
ssCritical Areas data obtained from Mason County Public Works,GIS Services;with the exception of Fish&Wildlife data which was obtained from the
Washington Department of Fish&Wildlife
56Agricultural lands data obtained from Mason County Assessor's 2011 Open Space-Agriculture Program,Mason County, Public Works, GIS Services
for Resource Lands from the Mason County Comprehensive Plan's Future Land Use Map, and Washington Department of Agriculture's 2010 Crop
distribution survey
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Critical Total Acres Of Of •
Area Acres Of
"CA"55 CA Agriculture"' Interface Interface Interface
Landslide 82,683 8,015 290 4% 0.3/
°
Areas
Seismic 398,254 8,015 7,589 95% 2%
Areas
Erosion 16,856 8,015 108 1% 1%
Areas
Fish & 27,798 8,015 1,513 19% 5%
Wildlife
Wetlands 54,650 8,015 1,206 15% 2%
Monitoring interface, as described here, is a quantitative indicator of the effects conservation practices
can have on the physical perimeters of critical areas. Other indicators serve to qualitatively monitor
the functions and values of critical areas such as water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and in-
stream flows to discern agricultural impacts or trends. This type of qualitative analysis will encompass
a more in-depth layer of monitoring utilizing data from sources such as the Department of Ecology's
303(d) listings and the Department of Health's Source Water Assessment Program.
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
CRITICAL AQUIFER RECHARGE AREAS
The County's Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas ("CARAs") are primarily located in the Lower Chehalis
and Kennedy Goldsborough WRIAs where there are also heavy concentrations of waterbodies. The
Skokomish-Dosewallips WRIA in the northwestern corner would appear from the data to have no
CARAs; however, this land is mostly national forest and parcel information would likely be
unavailable. This leaves a noticeable gap in data, however due to the lack of agriculture in that area it
should not affect the overall Work Plan. CARAs are regulated under the Resource Ordinance and
divided into four Standards of Classification. The determining methodology consisted of reviewing
mineral, geologic, soil, topographic and well record data. The classifications can be described as:
Class I (Extremely Susceptible) These areas are identified as having a recessional outwash of
thickness greater than 25 feet. Recessional outwashes are a geological formation predominantly
composed of underground source of drinking water unconsolidated sands and gravels. These
formations exhibit horizontal permeabilities greater than 30 feet per day (horizontal permeabilities are
generally ten times less than vertical permeabilities). Potential
contaminants entering an underground source of drinking water can Surface waters
be expected to travel one mile in six months or less. replenish, "recharge",
Class II (Highly Susceptible) These areas are identified as aquifers through
recessional outwash and alluvium 25 feet or less in thickness. These seepage from
geologic formations are composed of unconsolidated sands and gravels streams, lakes, and
interlain with discontinuous layers of hardpan and silty clays. Depth to
water is generally 25 to 125 feet below land surface. These formations wetlands, and from
exhibit horizontal permeabilities in the range of 30 to 50 feet per day. precipitation that
Potential contaminants entering an underground source of drinking percolates through
water can be expected to travel one mile in a time frame greater than soil or rock. Areas
six months and up to one year. with a critical
Class III (Moderately Susceptible) These areas are identified as recharging effect on
advance outwash. The geologic formations consist of discontinuous aquifers used for
layers of clayey gravel and sand and layers of silt and clay, which are potable water, also
more continuous and have been compacted into hardpan. Depth to
water is greater than 125 feet below land surface. These formations called Critical
exhibit horizontal permeabilities in the range of three to 15 per day. Aquifer Recharge
Potential contaminants entering an underground source of drinking Areas or CARAs.
water can be expect to travel one mile in a time frame greater than
one year and up to five years. Class III areas include those well head protection areas, not otherwise
designated as a Class I, II, or III critical recharge area.
Class IV (Low Susceptibility) These areas are identified as advance outwash found in the
southwest part of Mason County along the Satsop drainage.
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
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There are 4,254 acres of agricultural land (bright yellow) covering aquifer recharge areas — more
than 50% of all the County's agricultural lands (Figure 11). Of those, the table indicates the highest
concentration of this interface lies within the Kennedy Goldsborough and Skokomish-Dosewal lips
watersheds. The majority of this coverage in the Skokomish River valley, along the Tahuya River in
the northeastern portion of the County, and down along the Skookum Creek (Kamilche Valley) to
the south. Concentrations of agricultural activities
are prevalent in the Skokomish River valley, A Critical Aquifer Recharge Area (CARA)
centrally located in the County, and along Mill and ordinance provides local governments
Coffee Creeks to the south of Oakland Bay. The with a mechanism to protect the
functions and values of a community's
crop coverage in these areas is mostly pasture, drinking water by preventing pollution
grass hay, and Christmas Trees. In the County's and maintaining supply.
Resource Ordinance, protection measures of these
areas extend 300 feet beyond the mapped
boundaries. The map coverage does not delineate the classification of aquifers; however for
regulation purposes, this is of little relevance as each classification is held to the same regulatory
standards, with the exception of Class IV which is less. Aquifer recharge areas do not prohibit
agricultural activities with the exception of feedlots, which are prohibited unless legally pre-existing
prior to adoption of the County's Resource Ordinance. The table below shows a breakdown of
CARA acreage by watershed.
Table 10 Acres and Percentages of CARA and Agriculture Interface
WRIA Total Acres Total Acres of % Total of CARA Acres
of CARA Agriculture Interface in Agriculture
Kennedy 36,703 1,806 5
Goldsborough
Kitsap_ _ 4,004 245 6%
Skokomish 11,255 1,469 13%
Dosewallips
Lower Chehalis 69,122 735 1
Totals 121,084 4,254 3
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
Figure I 1 Intersection Of Agricultural Lands And CA"S Map
MASON COUNTY N
Agriculture and CARAs _ w tl-LF
5
s�
Lea*nd e:
as d
Ag/CARA Interface J
0 Mason County Boundary
■ 2011 Agricultural Activities Baseline
WRIAs
Waterbodies
Parcels
■ Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas +
Date:7/31/2018at
low
� �R s
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jl�f`rrN�l�r��rt''Jci
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0 3.25 6.5 13 Miles
Source:Mason County and WA Department of Agricultural
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
FREQUENTLY FLOODED AREAS
Frequently flooded areas are generally those designated by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) as being within the one hundred year floodplain and depicted on Flood Insurance
Rate Maps (FIRMS) as published.57 Most of them are, of course, along the banks of waterbodies.
The Mason County Resource Ordinance defers the regulation of activities and development in these
areas to the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Chapter 14.22 MCC). The authority established
under the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (FDPO) is directed by Chapter 86.16 RCW which
provides for the administration of Floodplain Management by local
governments.
The flood hazard areas of Mason County are subject to periodic
inundation which can result in loss of life and property, health, and Mason County
safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, protects
extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, frequently
and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect the flooded areas
public health, safety, and general welfare. These flood losses could
by
be exacerbated by the cumulative effect of obstructions in areas of concentrating
special flood hazards which increase flood heights and velocities, urban
and when inadequately anchored, damage uses in other areas. Uses development on
that are inadequately floodproofed, elevated, or otherwise the least
protected from flood damage also contribute to the flood loss. ... amount of
[T]his flood damage prevention ordinance to implement land, considers
comprehensive flood damage reduction measures that are the suitability
necessary for public health safety and welfare and that allow of the land for
property owners to protect their property.58 development
The FDPO also distinguishes Special Flood Risk zones in the floodplain of through the use
the Skokomish River, Vance Creek and tributaries. The map in Figure 13 of performance
indicates (bright yellow) the areas of agriculture located in flood areas. standards, and
Approximately 3,000 acres — just under 40% of all Mason County provides for
agricultural lands are in frequently flooded areas. Again, there is an significant
abundance of this type of land use in the Skokomish River Valley, a special opens pace andresource use
flood risk zone according to the County's most recent ordinance. The areas in
Skokomish River Valley and its tributaries are not only of special concern development
in the FDPO, but this area is also governed by the Skokomish River within the
Comprehensive Flood Control Management Plan cited within the Rural Area.
Ordinance. The Plan, drafted in 1987 and on record with the U. S.
57 Flood hazard areas identified on Flood Insurance Rate Map are Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). SFHA are defined as the area that will be
inundated by the flood event having a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The I-percent annual chance flood is also
referred to as the base flood or 100-year flood.wwwfema.gov/flood-zones
58 Section 14.22.020 MCC
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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Government Printing Office, describes the valley as primarily agricultural and residential. Since the
turn of the century, the Skokomish Valley has been extensively converted to agriculture through the
cutting and removal of the aboriginal riparian forests. Today, most of the valley has been converted
to pasture and Christmas tree plantations. The economy of the Skokomish Valley is based on
agriculture, and therefore the soil resource. Soils in the valley are the key to its agricultural
success and are, in fact, the result of its continuous flooding.
Alluvial soils, deposited by successive flooding of river valleys, typically have high agricultural
values because of their widespread sources across the landscape. Because of their widespread
sources, alluvial soils contain a variety and abundance of minerals necessary for plant growth
not commonly found in soils which have developed in place from a single parent rock source.
Thus the flooding of the Skokomish Valley is the source of its agricultural productivity.59
The problems associated with the increasing annual flooding were, among other things, attributed to
soil erosion of bare, unprotected farm fields, and damage to crops such as corn and Christmas trees.
A specific concern in the 1987 Plan was a catastrophic event causing the river to jump its banks and
carve a new channel; individual measures towards amelioration include flood proofing of structures,
agricultural practices adapted to flooding, and bank protection methods not harmful to fish habitat.
Several studies were conducted over the years to determine ways to reduce flooding damage;
however, the cost-benefit analysis of most of the structural remedies didn't "pencil out". Non-
structural methods (e.g. code and policy amendments) ultimately became the weapon of choice. The
County utilized the building code, the Comprehensive Plan, and the Shoreline Management Program
to guide future activity in the Skokomish Valley. With respect to agriculture, this included the
prohibition of tillage patterns and feedlots.
Another large concentration of farm land in the frequently flooded areas is found along the
Skookum Creek, in the south end of the County. The Skookum Creek farming area including
Totten Inlet are shown collectively with the Skokomish River Valley in Figure 12 below. The
primary agricultural activity in both areas is pasture and grass/hay.
Table I 1 Acres and Percentages of Flood Areas and Agriculture Interface
FloodWRIA Total Acres Total Acres of % Total of
Floodof Area Agriculture Interface Acres in Agriculture
Kennedy 169 353 1 4/
, ,
Goldsborough 28 o
Kitsap 8,454 162 2%
Skokomish 16,702 1,537 9%
Dosewallips
Lower Chehalis 6,026 180 3%
Totals 59,535 3,048 5%
59 Washington Department of Ecology. (1987). Skokomish River Comprehensive Flood Control Management Plan:Draft Plan. (TC24.W2 C36 1987).
Washington DC:U.S.Government Printing Office.
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Wen
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" �..i�'., .fit ../ t. ����•} 1
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Page 167
WORK PLAN
Figure 13 Intersection Of Ag Lands And Flooded Areas Map
MASON COUNTY of
Agriculture and FFAs -- %V E
s
Legend 1
Ag and FFA Intersect .;*•A
r
Frequently Flooded Areas y '
0 Mason County Boundary
2011 AgricutturalActivities Baseline
0 WRIAs I
Waterbodies r
Parcels a
r'
Date:8/2/2018 }}'�
I f 7
l • ` � • Y Iw
' r
_rte 4 •: w
Mason
Conservation
District
0 3.25 6.5 13 Miles
Source.Mason County and WA Department of Agnculturel
Mason County— Voluntary Stewordship Program
Page 168
WORK PLAN
LANDSLIDE HAZARD AREAS
Landslide hazard areas cover most of the County, with the exception of the northwest corner. Again,
this is likely due to the location of the Olympic National Forest and the lack of parcel level data.
Classifying areas as potential landslide hazards is primarily a function of slopes and soils. This includes
areas with: indications of earth movement; artificially over-steepened or un- engineered slopes; slopes
containing soft or potentially liquefiable soils; over-steepened or otherwise unstable as a result of
stream incision, stream bank erosion and undercutting by wave action; slopes greater than 15% and
having hillsides with a relatively permeable sediment overlying a relatively impermeable sediment or
bedrock and Springs or groundwater or any area with a slope of 40% or steeper and with a vertical
relief of ten or more feet except areas composed of
consolidated rock. An important measure of potential
Landslide areas generally present potential dangers to risk for landslide when development
public health and safety and, with few exceptions, occurs is land clearing and alteration
development would require the professional for development.
preparation of a geotechnical report or assessment to
determine under what conditions the development may proceed at a reasonable risk. Existing and
ongoing agriculture is one exemption provided it is operating under best management practices.
The bright yellow areas in the map (Figure 14) indicate landslide hazard areas, and are fairly wide-
spaced over the County.
Table 12 Acres and Percentages of Landslide Areas and Agriculture Interface
WRIA Total Acres of Total Acres of % Total of
Landslide Area Agriculture Interface Landslide Interface
Kennedy 2
Goldsborough 5,501 204 I
Kitsap 17,805 33 0.2%
Skokomish 21,748 29 0.1
Dosewallips
Lower Chehalis 19,130 23 0.1
Totals 84,184 290 0.3%
Mason County-- Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
Figure 14 Intersection Of Ag Lands And Landslide Areas Map
MASON COUNTY N
Agriculture and LHAs W^r; E
8
Legend 1
Ag and LHA Intersect A I;
Landslide Hazard Areas j ,� r+r.
Mason County Boundary .,Y.
2011 Agricultural Activities Baseline i.
0 WRIAs
Waterbodies
Parcel `
Doh:8/2/2018
Mason
Conservation '
District
0 3.5 7 14 Miles
Source:Mason County and WA Department ofAgncu11u
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 170
WORK PLAN
SEISMIC HAZARD AREAS
The bright yellow areas indicate where agriculture activity is located within the seismic areas; there
are approximately 7,589 acres. (Figure 15) Since seismic activity in Mason County occurs throughout,
most all of the agricultural lands are subject to seismic restrictions. These areas include all
landslide hazard areas, by definition, together with all other areas susceptible to ground failure such
as geologic faults; deep road fills and poorly compacted artificial fill; postglacial stream, lake or beach
sediments; river deltas; and bluffs. Seismic hazard areas present potential dangers to public health
and safety, and restricted development activities within them serves to prevent the acceleration of
man-made and natural geological hazards, and to neutralize the risk to the property owner or
adjacent properties. Types of seismic hazards include: surface faulting; ground shaking; earthquake-
related ground failure and landslides; lateral spreading; liquefaction; lurch cracks; rockfalls; differential
settlement; regional uplift; seiches6o; and/or tsunamis. As with landslide hazard areas, development
must be evaluated with a geotechnical report or assessment. There is no exception for agricultural
activities in seismic areas and all structures must be designed in consideration of the ground motions
associated with a 475 year return period seismic event" for a D-2 seismic zone.62
Seismic zones are generally classified by the International Building Code according to three basic
criteria: probable site ground motion, soil (site class), and building occupancy use.
Seismic hazard area development
standards focus on effects to buildings and
other facilities from intense ground
shaking and/or liquefaction.Attention to
seismically induced landslides could also
cause structural damage to buildings,
particularly on steeper slopes and shoreline
bluffs
60 A seiche is a standing wave in an enclosed or partially enclosed body of water. Seiches and seiche-related phenomena have been observed on
lakes, reservoirs, swimming pools, bays, harbours and seas. The key requirement for formation of a seiche is that the body of water be at least
partially bouded,allowing the formation of the standing wave.
61 The level of earthquake chosen as the basis of a deterministic analysis is usually measured in terms of estimated return period. The return periods
commonly used are 72-year,475-year,and 975-year periods.These return periods correspond to 50, 10,and 5 percent probability of exceedance for
a 50-year period(which is the expected design life for a building). The 475-year return period(or 10 percent probability of exceedance in 50 years)
event is the most common standard used in the industry for assessing seismic risk,and it is also the basis for most building codes for seismic design.
hupsIlUnderstanding the Language of Seismic Risk Analysis I IRMI.com
62 IRC R301.2(2);Soils is IRC Section 401.4.1,IBC Chapter 16&ASCE 7
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
Table 13 Acres and Percentages of Seismic and Agriculture Interface
TotalWRIA of • of • of
Seismic Area Agriculture Interface Acres in Agriculture
Kennedy 168,908 4,814 3%
Goldsborough
Kitsap 68,556 314 0.5%
Skokomish 71,883 1,714 2%
Dosewallips
Lower Chehalis 88,907 747 1
Totals 398,254 7,589 2%
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake hits near Belfair
Updated: Feb 23. 2017- 10:55 AM
Q9 -
t
i
Source: Kiro7.Com February 2017
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 172
WORK PLAN
Figure 15 Intersection Of Ag Lands And Seismic Areas Map
MASON COUNTY N
Agriculture and SHAs V1
_4 5
s
Legend
Ag and SHA Intersect
WRIAs
Seismic Hazard Areas r
0 Mason County Boundary
2011 AgricuturalActivities Baseline
Waterbodies
Parcels
Date:8/2/2018
Mason
Conservation
District
0 3.5 7 14 Miles
Source Mason County and WA Department ofAgncult,,_
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
EROSION HAZARD AREAS
Erosion hazards generally occur on slopes that exceed 15% and are underlain by soils which are
subject to severe erosion when disturbed. Such soils include any occurrence of River Wash
("Ra") or Coastal Beaches ("Cg") and the following when they occur on slopes 15% or steeper:
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam ("Ac" and "Ad"); Cloquallum silt loam ("Cd"); Harstine gravelly
sandy loam ("Hb"); Kitsap silt loam ("Kc"). In Mason County, there are approximately 16,856 acres
of land that qualify as erosion hazard areas; of this, 108 acres have agricultural activities occurring
on them. These areas can be seen in bright yellow on the map in
Figure 16. This is less than one percent of the total agricultural land
acreage in the County.
Erosion is a natural process in
Agriculture is not exempt from the development standards of the which the land surface is worn
Resource Ordinance in erosion areas. Considering the sensitivity away by the action of water,
of the soils, any clearing and grading activity must have a wind, ice or other geologic
geotechnical report prepared by a professional engineer. Structural processes. The most common
developments in these areas are also required to obtain a soil cause of erosion is water falling
erosion and sediment control plan as part of or in addition to the or flowing across the land.
geotechnical report. This is a unique requirement not included
with the landslide and seismic standards and likely why Mason
County chose to parse out the geological hazards for separate
consideration and protection measures. Areas of specific erosion concern are also subject to
limited operations between May and October, and avoiding the wet season. Property owners
conducting operations within erosion hazard areas shall not only provide a soil erosion and sediment
control plan for protection of the development area and disturbed surfaces, but shall also be
responsible to ensure that accelerated erosion does not occur during and after the project
construction.
Table 14 Acres and Percentages of Erosion and Agriculture Interface
Total Acres of Total Acres of % Total of Erosion
WRIA Erosion Area Agriculture Interface Interface
Kennedy 8,177 59 1%
Goldsborough
Kitsap 7,051 7 0.1
Skokomish 1,559 42 3%
Dosewallips
Lower Chehalis 69 0.4 0.6%
Totals 16,856 108 1
Mason County-- Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page X74
WORK PLAN
Figure 16 Intersection of Ag Lands and Erosion Areas Map
MASON COUNTY N
Agriculture and EHAsw- '-:-E
Legend
Ag and EHA Intersect
M Erosion Hazard Areas
0 WRIAs �' Ir
0 Mason County Boundary
2011 Agricultural Activities Baseline
Waterbodies
Parcels
Date:8/2/2018
. '
pop
y
/ I k-
f
1 s * � aV�T•
,f aN
t
Mason
Conservation
�. District
0 3.5 7 14 Miles
I i i i I i i 1 I
Source:Mason County and WA DepaRmeInt ofAgaculh
Mason County•- Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page X75
WORK PLAN
FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION AREAS
Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas (FWHCA) are recognized for maintaining species in
suitable habitats within their natural geographic distribution so that isolated populations are not
created. It does not mean maintaining all individuals of all species at all times, but does mean
intergovernmental cooperation and coordination is critically important in a region. The underlying
assumption is that impacts to fish and wildlife conservation areas shall be avoided or mitigated as
detailed in approved Habitat Management Plans as described in the Resource Ordinance. The intent
of these regulations is to:
1) Protect critical habitat features to support
genetically viable populations of fish and wildlife
species and allow for commercial and non-
commercial uses. These areas serve a critical role
2) Protect the biological, physical, and chemical in sustaining needed habitats
components of water quality for the benefit of and species for the functional
aquatic and terrestrial resources, as well as human integrity of the ecosystem, and
consumptive uses. which, if altered, may reduce
3) Ensure that natural stream and marine shoreline the likelihood that the species
functions such as flow patterns, production of will persist over the long term.
sediment and large woody debris are maintained with Mason County contains an
minimal interference or impact to private property. abundance of marine,
4) Protect habitat for federal or state listed freshwater and upland habitat
endangered, threatened or sensitive fish and wildlife.
for fish and wildlife.
5) Encourage non-regulatory methods of habitat
practical, through Columbian Black-Tailed Deer
retention whenever
P g Odocoileus hemionus co/umbianus
education, and the Open Space Tax Program.
6) To supplement the Shoreline Master Program -
for Mason County to preserve and protect
critical fish and wildlife habitat pursuant to 1
(WAC 365-190-080). It is the intent that the
f <
ordinance codified in this chapter will _
compliment and supplement the Shoreline
Master Program.
7) To implement the Mason County
Comprehensive Plan and to achieve these
purposes consistent with the Comprehensive `°°""gi Spend CoDe mandAirhiw,Vaavrnfyofl&hoMrar,,SPECQL,jMq,s,9
I
Plan.
As discussed earlier in this Plan, Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Conservation Areas include both aquatic and terrestrial
I�
I
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
areas within Mason County. The approximate location and extent of critical fish and wildlife habitat
areas are available by limited access from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife's (WDFW)
Priority Habitat and Species (PHS) Program database. The map in Figure 17 illustrates Priority
Species Habitat in bright yellow. There is approximately 1,513 acres of agricultural land that
interfaces with the habitat, which is about 19%.
Mason County has a number of priority species habitats, both aquatic and terrestrial. The table
below describes the amounts of fish and wildlife habitat in the county together with how much of
it interfaces with agricultural lands. Since most of the County's agricultural activities are in WRIAs
14 and 16, it follows suit that most of the interface of habitat is also in those regions. Additionally,
while the production of shellfish in Mason County is first in the State, and fifth in the Nation, less
than 10% of shellfish habitat interfaces with agriculture.
Table 15 Acres and Percentages of Habitat and Agriculture Interface
WRIA Total • of
AgriculturePriority Habitats
Kennedy 4,1-1-3 923 22%
Goldsborough
Kitsap 2,657 57 2%
Skokomish 21,392 533 2%
Dosewallips
Lower Chehalis -- -- --
Totals 27,798 1,513 5%
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 177
WORK PLAN
Figure 17 Intersection of Ag Lands and Priority Species Map
MASON COUNTY M
Agriculture and PHS - J - 48
Lsgend
Ag and PHS Intersect
Priority Habitat Species
0 WRIAs
0 Mason County Boundary
2011 Agricultural Activities Baseline 4 i`
Waterbodies
Parcels
r
Dane:3/2/2018 ,
Mason
Conservation
�• District
0 325 6.5 13 Miles
Source:Mason County Assessor's Office,Mason County Future Land Use Map, WA Department of Agriculture,WA Department of Fish&Wildlife
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
WETLANDS
Mason County is covered by approximately 54,650 acres of designated wetlands. Table 10 of
Chapter 18 indicates that agriculture overall only impacts approximately 2% of those; however
wetlands occur on nearly 15% of the entire County's agricultural lands. The Resource Ordinance,
in this case, regulates adjacent land uses in order to avoid, minimize, rectify, reduce or compensate
for development impacts to maintain and enhance the biological and physical functions and values
with respect to water quality maintenance; stormwater and floodwater storage and conveyance; fish
and wildlife habitat; primary productivity, recreation, education and historic and cultural
preservation. When avoiding impacts is not reasonable, mitigation is implemented to achieve a no
net loss of wetlands in terms of acreage, function and value. What qualifies as a wetland is also
provided in the Resource Ordinance as adopted from state statutes.
Generally, wetlands are areas inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency
and duration sufficient to support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in soil
conditions. These include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas. Regulated wetlands include
those just mentioned, as well as ponds less than 20 acres and Wetlands created as mitigation, and
those modified for approved land use activities, including their submerged aquatic beds.
Designated wetlands not regulated are comprised of artificial man-made wetlands intentionally
created from non -wetland sites, including, but not limited to, irrigation and drainage ditches, grass -
lined swales, canals, detention facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, farm ponds, and landscape
amenities or those wetlands created after July I, 1990, that were unintentionally created as a result
of the construction of a road, street or highway. The map in Figure 18 shows the WRIA divisions
in order to better see the location of all the County's wetlands as well as those on agricultural
land (bright yellow). There is a minimal amount of wetland and agriculture interface as evidenced by
this map; most of which are along the Skokomish River and Skookum Creek. The total amount of
interface between agriculture and critical areas of July 201 1 is shown in the table below.
Table 16 Acres and Percentages of Wetland and Agriculture Interface
TotalWRIA Total Acres of . Total
Wetlands Agriculture Interface Interface
Kennedy 27,207 572 2%
Goldsborough
Kitsap 6,960 141 2%
Skokomish 13,916 446 3%
Dosewallips
Lower Chehalis 6,567 49 1%
Totals 54,650 1,206 2%
Mason County-- Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 179
WORK PLAN
Figure 18 Intersection of Ag Lands and Wetlands Map
MASON COUNTY
Agriculture and Wetland --- w�
iR
Legend
:r ern •' t.!
Ag and Wetlands Intersect •
Wetlands
0 WRIAs `
0 Mason County Boundary
M 2011 Agricu Rural Activities Baseline
Waterbodies
Parcels
Date:8/2/2018If
■' ' j-� _.
h i *'! � i■■' ti
Mason -
Conservation
District
0 3.25 6.5 13 Miles
I i I I i I
Source:Mason County Assessor's Office,Mason County Future Land Use Map,WA Department of Agriculture,National Wetlands Inventory
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
The table indicates that there is interface of critical areas and agricultural activities in four out of the
five WRIAs elected to be placed in the VSP; WRIA 21 (Queets Quinault) is in the Olympic
National Forest and without agriculture or adequate data for analysis. The map in Figure 19 shows
the largest concentration of critical areas in the Kenney Goldsborough WRIA in the southeast
portion of the County. With each critical area overlaid, the mosaic of colors shows the
unmistakable evidence of their presence. The reason for this may be the large amount of water in
that region including Oakland Bay, Totten Inlet, Hammersley Inlet, Skookum Creek and portions of
Hood Canal that provide favorable lands for agriculture.
Table 17 Acreage of Agriculture in Critical Areas by WRIA
Lower
Critical Areas Goldsborough WRIA Dosewallips Chehalis
WRIA 14 Is WRIA 16 WRIA 22
CRITICAL AQUIFER 1806 244 1469 735
RECHARGE AREAS
FREQUENTLY FLOODED 1 169 162 1537 180
AREAS
W ETLAN DS 572 141 446 49
GEOLOGICALLY
HAZARDOUS AREAS
Landslide Hazard Areas 204 33 29 23
Seismic Hazard Areas 4814 314 1714 747
Erosion Hazard Areas 59 7 42 0.4
FISH AND WILDLIFE
PRIORITY SPECIES 923 57 533 --
HABITAT
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 181
WORK PLAN
Figure 19 Mosaic of Critical Areas Map
MASON COUNTY r
Critical Areas Mosaic
Legend ��•, !
Mason County WRIAS �, ✓f y ,7
wetlands . f• 1' J ��
j ' ��'•• f� ,fir
Erosion Hazards
Priority Species Habitat
Landslide Hazards
Frequently Flooded Area f
CARR$
1
Seismic Hazards r/ �• tr
Waterbodies ' ,' J �� �• `,�/ �:
Mason County
J,� a ✓�
Parcels
Date: 3/7/2018
r
rod•f. `,�� ^yam �. ff�,
Mason f'
Conservation '
District
- 1.75 15 7 Miles
Source:Mason County,FEMA,WA Fish and Wildlife,FEMA
Mason County--Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
19. GOALS AND BENCHMARKS
THE Mason County VSP outlines goals to meet the protection and enhancement benchmarks as
required in the Work Plan. The "protection" benchmark is specific to protecting critical areas by
preventing any further degradation of function or value already existing as of July 22, 2011. Although,
protecting agricultural activities from some of the risks associated with critical areas such as seismic
and frequently flooded areas is of importance and should be considered in the planning process when
possible. In this document, the viability of agricultural activities will mostly be those associated with
critical areas, and not necessarily all activities within the County at large. The Work Plan must rely
on voluntary stewardship by agricultural operators as the principal method of protecting critical
areas located on or adjacent to their activities; while not requiring any reduction or termination of
those activities. Successful achievement of these two benchmarks will create symbiotic relationships
between agriculture and critical areas. The overall goals of VSP, as understood and iterated in this
Work Plan, can be defined as:
1) Protect critical area functions and values on agricultural lands at a watershed level as they
existed as of July 22, 2011 (first benchmark, RCW 36.70A.703)
2) Encourage the implementation of voluntary actions that enhance critical areas on agricultural
lands (second benchmark, RCW 36.70A.700)
3) Enhance the viability of agriculture and reduce the conversion of farmland to other uses (third
benchmark, RCW 36.70A.725)
GOALS
The Work Group has comprised four goals in this Work Plan that are similar to those of VSP
stated above, but simplified for the purpose of creating understandable strategies to achieve them.
GOAL I Protect critical area functions and values on agricultural lands at a
watershed level as they existed as of July 22, 2011
GOAL 2 Enhance critical area functions and values through voluntary,
incentive-based measures.
GOAL 3 Ensure the viability of agriculture and reduce the conversion of
agricultural land into other uses.
GOAL 4 Establish baseline monitoring program to measure benchmarks
over a ten year period.
BENCHMARKS
The VSP requires that there be goals and measurable benchmarks to determine if the Work Plan's
implementation is in fact providing protection and enhancement of the County's critical areas. The
Benchmarks are designed in such a way as to allow District Staff to measure changes to the 2011
baseline interface that would indicate either continued protection or evidence of enhancement.
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
• 8,015 acres of agricultural activity
• 159 agricultural operators
• 7.5 farm plans (annually)
• 1:20 operators with farm plans (annually)
• 56 acres average farm size
Interface is defined in Chapter I "Definitions" and further discussed in Chapter 18 "Agricultural Lands
and Critical Areas Interface". An increase in interface can show two things — the amount of critical
area is increasing and the amount of agricultural activity within that critical area is decreasing. The
inverse is true for a decrease in interface — the amount of critical area is decreasing and the amount of
activity is increasing. Neither result, however, indicates a positive or negative affect to either the
critical area or the activity without on-the-ground investigation. Monitoring data, as discussed in the
Monitoring Program (Appendix 7) will determine the location of the change or changes for follow up
by District Staff.
PARTICIPATION BENCHMARKS
Operator participation is also a measurable used within the Benchmarks to determine if the Work Plan
is being promoted and if it's being implemented by enough landowners to ensure successful protection
and enhancement. The Work Plan has an outreach component that was created by the Work Group
to serve as an "idea-list" to educate the community on the VSP and rally support and volunteerism.
This benchmark will require the inclusion of additional data in order to be effectively measurable.
Information in the Plan's tables thus far is primarily based on acreage — both for agricultural activities
and for critical areas. This is a functional method for calculating changes in the landscape. However,
these changes only occur if the landowner is willing to proactively make these changes. Therefore,
measuring participation levels can be another informative way of determining if enough operators are
participating in order to meet the protection and enhancement goals. Statistical information is located
in Appendix 5 as extracted from the USDA's Census of Agriculture showing farming, farmer, and crop
data. For the purpose of this benchmark, the actual number of farms, farmers, and prepared farm plans
will be compiled from data received from the Washington Department of Agriculture, the Mason
County Assessor's Office, and the Mason Conservation District as of July 2011. In sum, the following
baseline numbers will be used in the participation benchmarks:
The matrix in Appendix 6 (Goals, Benchmarks, Monitoring, and Adaptive Management) establishes the
Plan's measurable Benchmarks needed to assess progress toward achieving these goals. Monitoring
techniques have been included and are a necessary tool to again illustrate how the Work Plan intends
to effectively measure the Benchmarks and meet the Goals throughout its implementation. A
Mason County--Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 184
WORK PLAN
threshold for adaptive management has also been established for most of the monitoring techniques
to allow the District to evaluate how they are meeting goals and adjust for future decision making.
The outline below includes Goals I, 2 and 3 together with their respective benchmarks as they relate
to individual critical areas. A more detailed explanation of protection and enhancement immediately
follows.
CRITICAL AQUIFER RECHARGE AREAS
GOAL I - Protect critical area functions and values on agricultural lands at a watershed level as
they existed as of July 22, 201 1
PROTECTION BENCHMARKS:
• Maintain baseline acreage of Agriculture and Critical Area Interface
• Maintain BMP Implementation
PARTICIPATION BENCHMARKS:
• Maintain 7.5 completed farm plans (Individual Stewardship Plans) per year
• Maintain outreach to all operators annually
• Return rate of 15 ISP Checklists per year
GOAL 2 - Enhance critical area functions and values through voluntary, incentive-based measures.
ENHANCEMENT BENCHMARKS:
• 5% annual increase of BMP implementation (based on averaged annual
implementation over 5 year period of each BMP through the County)
PARTICIPATION BENCHMARKS:
• Increase annual number of completed Farm Plans (Individual Stewardship Plans) to
16
• Increase annual operator participation levels by 50%
• Return rate of 23 ISP Checklists per year
GOAL 3 - Ensure the viability of agriculture and reduce the conversion of agricultural land into
other uses.
AGRICULTURAL VIABILITY BENCHMARKS:
• Maintain baseline acreage of Interface
• Maintain baseline acreage of Agricultural Activity
• Maintain 2011 annual average baseline of 7.5 completed Farm Plans
FREQUENTLY FLOODED AREAS
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 185
WORK PLAN
GOAL I - Protect critical area functions and values on agricultural lands at a watershed level as
they existed as of July 22, 201 1
PROTECTION BENCHMARKS:
• Maintain baseline acreage of Agriculture and Critical Area Interface
• Maintain BMP Implementation
PARTICIPATION BENCHMARKS:
• Maintain 7.5 completed farm plans (Individual Stewardship Plans) per year
• Maintain outreach to all operators annually
• Return rate of 15 ISP Checklists per year
GOAL 2 - Enhance critical area functions and values through voluntary, incentive-based measures.
ENHANCEMENT BENCHMARKS:
• 5% annual increase of BMP implementation (based on averaged annual
implementation over 5 year period of each BMP through the County, not all BMPs
have been implemented in recent past)
PARTICIPATION BENCHMARKS:
• Increase annual number of completed Farm Plans (Individual Stewardship Plans) to
16
• Increase annual operator participation levels by 50%
• Return rate of 23 ISP Checklists per year
GOAL 3 - Ensure the viability of agriculture and reduce the conversion of agricultural land into
other uses.
AGRICULTURAL VIABILITY BENCHMARKS:
• Maintain baseline acreage of Interface
• Maintain baseline acreage of Agricultural Activity
• Maintain 2011 annual average baseline of 7.5 completed Farm Plans (Individual
Stewardship Plans)
WETLANDS
GOAL I - Protect critical area functions and values on agricultural lands at a watershed level as
they existed as of July 22, 201 1
PROTECTION BENCHMARKS:
• Maintain baseline acreage of Agriculture and Critical Area Interface
• Maintain BMP Implementation
Mason County--Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 186
WORK PLAN
PARTICIPATION BENCHMARKS:
• Maintain 7.5 completed farm plans (Individual Stewardship Plans) per year
• Maintain outreach to all operators annually
• Return rate of 15 ISP Checklists per year
GOAL 2 - Enhance critical area functions and values through voluntary, incentive-based
measures.
ENHANCEMENT BENCHMARKS:
• 5% annual increase of BMP implementation (based on averaged annual
implementation over 5 year period of each BMP through the County)
• Reduce agricultural and wetland interface to less than 2011 baseline by: (1)
maintaining and reconfiguring agricultural activities away from wetland areas; or (2)
restoring and enhancing wetlands in or near agricultural activity utilizing wetland
sensitive BMPs
PARTICIPATION BENCHMARKS:
• Increase annual number of completed Farm Plans (Individual Stewardship Plans) to
16
• Increase annual operator participation levels by 50%
• Return rate of 23 ISP Checklists per year
GOAL 3 - Ensure the viability of agriculture and reduce the conversion of agricultural land into
other uses.
AGRICULTURAL VIABILITY BENCHMARKS:
• Maintain baseline acreage of Interface
• Maintain baseline acreage of Agricultural Activity
• Maintain 2011 annual average baseline of 7.5 completed Farm Plans (Individual
Stewardship Plans)
EROSION HAZARD AREAS
GOAL I - Protect critical area functions and values on agricultural lands at a watershed level as
they existed as of July 22, 2011
PROTECTION BENCHMARKS:
• Maintain baseline acreage of Agriculture and Critical Area Interface
• Maintain BMP Implementation
PARTICIPATION BENCHMARKS:
• Maintain 7.5 completed farm plans (Individual stewardship Plans) per year
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 187
WORK PLAN
• Maintain outreach to all operators annually
• Return rate of 15 ISP Checklists per year
GOAL 2 - Enhance critical area functions and values through voluntary, incentive-based measures.
ENHANCEMENT BENCHMARKS:
• 5% annual increase of BMP implementation (based on averaged annual
implementation over 5 year period of each BMP through the County)
• Reduce agricultural and erosion hazard area interface to less than 2011 baseline by:
(1) maintaining and reconfiguring agricultural activities away from erosion areas; or
(2) utilizing BMPs specific to erosion areas.
PARTICIPATION BENCHMARKS:
• Increase annual number of completed Farm Plans (Individual Stewardship Plans) to
16
• Increase annual operator participation levels by 50%
• Return rate of 23 ISP Checklists per year
GOAL 3 - Ensure the viability of agriculture and reduce the conversion of agricultural land into
other uses.
AGRICULTURAL VIABILITY BENCHMARKS:
• Maintain baseline acreage of Interface
• Maintain baseline acreage of Agricultural Activity
• Maintain 2011 annual average baseline of 7.5 completed Farm Plans (Individual
Stewardship Plans)
FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION AREAS
GOAL I - Protect critical area functions and values on agricultural lands at a watershed level as
they existed as of July 22, 201 1
PROTECTION BENCHMARKS:
• Maintain baseline acreage of Agriculture and Critical Area Interface
• Maintain BMP Implementation
PARTICIPATION BENCHMARKS:
• Maintain 7.5 completed farm plans (Individual Stewardship Plans) per year
• Maintain outreach to all operators annually
• Return rate of 15 ISP Checklists per year
GOAL 2 - Enhance critical area functions and values through voluntary, incentive-based measures.
ENHANCEMENT BENCHMARKS:
Mason County--Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 188
WORK PLAN
• 5% annual increase of BMP implementation (based on averaged annual
implementation over 5 year period of each BMP through the County)
• Reduce agricultural and fish and wildlife conservation area interface to less than 2011
baseline by: (1) maintaining and reconfiguring agricultural activities away from habitat
areas; or (2) utilizing BMPs specific to habitat areas
PARTICIPATION BENCHMARKS:
• Increase annual number of completed Farm Plans (Individual Stewardship Plans) to
16
• Increase annual operator participation levels by 50%
• Return rate of 23 ISP Checklists per year
GOAL 3 Ensure the viability of agriculture and reduce the conversion of agricultural land into
other uses.
AGRICULTURAL VIABILITY BENCHMARKS
• Maintain baseline acreage of Interface
• Maintain baseline acreage of Agricultural Activity
• Maintain 2011 annual average baseline of 7.5 completed Farm Plans (Individual
Stewardship Plans)
PROTECTION AND PARTICIPATION BENCHMARKS —
The benchmarks for Goals I and 3 involve maintaining baseline levels. In Goal I, the first
benchmark is maintaining baseline acreage of interface, which refers to the number of acres listed in
Table 38 (Appendix 6) for each critical area and WRIA. No increase or decrease reflects there has
been no change and thus the 2011 baseline is protected. The second benchmark refers to maintaining
BMP implementation. Table 38 also provides eight Best Management Practices, or BMPs, implemented
on land with agricultural activities and critical area interface. Each of the BMPs has an attribute
beneficial to that critical area. By maintaining the 2011 level of implementation (acres, feet, or units),
the level of protection it provides to the critical area has also been maintained.
Measuring Operator participation makes up the third and fourth benchmarks for participation, and will
use the 2011 information from the text box above. On average, there is approximately I farm plan
per 20 operators and approximately 159 total operators within the County. Considering that, if it
takes outreach to 20 operators to obtain one farm plan, then outreach efforts will require that 150
operators be contacted annually in order to maintain the 7.5 per year plan rate (7.5 farm plans x 20
operators per plan = 150 operators). With relatively low numbers of agricultural operations in the
County, the Work Group will need to widely spread broad efforts to reach out to everyone as much
as possible.
Part of those outreach efforts will include using the Individual Stewardship Plan Checklist found in
Appendix 9. The Checklist allows District Staff to obtain information about agricultural operations and
Mason County--Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 189
WORK PLAN
potential VSP participants. Promoting the Checklist to known operators could produce a return of
more than 159 of them within the first two years. The number of Checklists received should decline
after initial outreach efforts as fewer non-participating operators would remain.
This type of outreach is new to the District, as is the entire Stewardship Program. Therefore, again
using existing numbers estimates will be made as to how many Checklists will be received, and from
that how many will result in Individual Stewardship Plans. Some research into the return rate of
surveys, which are very similar in format to our Checklist, indicate that on average a 10-15% response
rate is most typical, with 30-40% being considered an acceptable rate.63 Related to the objective of
producing at least 7.5 plans per year, and at least 16 for enhancement, some assumptions have to be
made about operator response and participation rates to formulate a measurable participation
benchmark.
Assumptions:
159 operators receive the Checklist
Achieve Enhancement Participation Benchmark
23 operators return the Checklist (15% as high-end typical rate of return)
18 operators complete Individual Stewardship Plan (50% of those returning the Checklist)
Achieve Protection Participation Benchmark
15 operators return the Checklist (10% as low-end typical rate of return)
7.5 operators complete Individual Stewardship Plan (50% of those returning the Checklist
Using these assumptions, a participation benchmark of 15 checklists received annually with potentially
7.5 Stewardship Plans completed can be established for Goal I, and 23 checklists and 18 Plans can
established for Goal 2.
ENHANCEMENT BENCHMARKS
In Goals I and 2, there is an enhancement benchmark indicating a 5% annual increase of BMP
implementation. This percentage is a result of comparing BMPs (acres, feet, and units) over a five year
period in order obtain an average rate of increase. Maintaining the 2011 baseline would require no
increases to the amount of BMPs implemented, however enhancement would be additional efforts
made over time. The 5% annual increase in BMP implementation reflects a confident measure of
critical area enhancement.
The number of operators participating in the BMP implementation varies and cannot be easily
calculated from the total acres, feet and units. Similarly, whether or not the BMPs were part of a farm
plan is also not easily determined through evaluating the data obtained from existing records.
63 https://www.surveygizmo.com/resources/blog/survey-response-rates/
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Participation levels will therefore be an extension, or multiplication, of what is known as was done for
the protection benchmarks.
Since outreach efforts cannot be increased beyond what is already needed to maintain the baseline,
which is to everyone, the increased number of participants will be the benchmark. For this, additional
assumptions will be made. Assuming one farm plan for each BMP implemented would be
approximately eight farm plans for each of the eight BMPs listed for the individual critical areas. This
number aligns with the average of 7.5 plans annually already established under the participation
benchmark. If the number and/or amount of BMPs are to be increased at least 5% annually, an increase
of at least one additional farm plan per year per BMP would be needed.
The 5% increase factor is not a large amount, and should be easily accommodated with a single
additional BMP or Plan. The addition of eight farms per year doubles the current average of 7.5 and
would thus require double the participants. If protection participation measures to assist in
maintaining the 2011 baseline need at least one plan per 20 operators, enhancement participation
measures would need at least two operators per 20 — a 50% increase. Therefore, the operator
participation benchmarks will be to increase annual farm plans to at least 16 per year, and increase
operator participation to at least two per 20 operators. Since these are assumptions made on static
information, the first two years of the Work Plan's implementation will dictate how and if adjustments
need to be made.
Participation is also being measured in the return rates of Individual Stewardship Plan Checklists. In
the preceding Chapter on Protection Benchmarks, the assumptions made for determining Checklist
benchmarks is discussed; these include those of Enhancement Benchmarks.
The last benchmark shown for some of the critical areas is a reduction in agricultural interface below
the 2011 baseline. There are two metrics for this described in Table 38 which include the reduction of
agriculture in or impacting the critical area and the increase of critical area in or near the agricultural
activity. Reducing the activity in a critical area does not mean loss of that activity; it means that it has
been reconfigured, relocated, or readapted within that critical area allowing for its enhancement. The
same is true for the increase or enhanced critical area, it is not at the expense of the agriculture but
instead creating a mutually beneficially rearrangement of location and/or activity.
Goal 3 involves ensuring the viability of agriculture and reducing the conversion of agricultural lands.
The benchmarks associated with this Goal measure the baseline levels of agriculture activities,
agricultural interface, and farm plans. Any changes in those numbers will trigger an adaptive
management action. Rates and percentages of change have not been established in these benchmarks,
but may be in the future. The goal is to ensure viability and reduce conversion, and because agriculture
is only 2% of the County's land use, and the average farm is less than 50 acres, District Staff intend to
monitor for any changes regardless of size.
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Goals I through 3 have a schedule of benchmarks and adaptive management illustrated in Appendix 6,
and Goal 4 establishes a monitoring program more fully discussed in Appendix 7.
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20. ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT
UNDER the VSP, instituting adaptive management is a necessary part of the process; it is
intended to ensure that the Work Plan can adapt to change in order to achieve the goals. Thus, it is
important to create a set of strategies and monitoring techniques that can be measured in terms of
success.
Breaking the process down into a logical sequence of events, this Chapter will analyze each critical
area by WRIA, the amount of agriculture interface, the types of BMPs and the threshold for adaptive
management. The Critical Areas Appendix provides fairly detailed information on each critical area,
obviating a reiteration of that full discussion here. Therefore, the following will serve as a conspectus;
demonstrating practical information of each critical area as it relates to agricultural activities in each
WRIA. Additionally, a table of BMPs most frequently implemented by the Conservation District in
Mason County is provided in Best Management Practices Appendix to illustrate their function and
applicability. BMPs, or conservation practices, are designed to address a particular resource concern
such as water quality or soil erosion. Monitoring the acreage totals can provide a certain level of
information regarding the amount of land coverage
retained, gained, or lost for both the agricultural
Adaptive management[is]an explicitly activity and its associated critical area. It cannot,
experimental or "scientific"approach to however, distinguish if either has been enhanced
managing conservation projects. It necessarily by a change in size, or the cause of the
incorporates research into conservation changes. The acreage or size of a critical area for some
action. Specifically, it is the integration
of design, management,and monitoring will not change and therefore won't serve as a useful
to systematically test assumptions in monitoring tool. In fact, fish and wildlife habitat and
order to adapt and learn. wetlands are the only critical areas where a reduction
or increase in size could be an indicator of impacts by
www.fosonline.org/what-we-do/what-is-am or from agricultural activities. Critical Aquifer
Recharge Areas, frequently flooded areas, and
geologically hazardous areas generally do not change their size or their location, making protection
measures geared more toward the agricultural operation than the critical area. Of course that is
not to say that agriculture could not also have an effect on any of those. Changes will have to be
ground-truthed to determine if they are the result of conservation practices imposed by agricultural
operators or by impacts of agricultural operations. The following Chapter looks at each critical area
in terms of its functions and values, what types of data will be used to measure the Program's
success, how the data will be measured, where adaptive management will be implemented, and
suggested options for Best Management Practices. The tables listing BMPs for each critical area
contain check marks for its applicability to critical protection and/or enhancement, and agricultural
viability.
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WETLANDS
Functions and Values: Wetlands perform a variety of biological and hydrological functions that
can be directly impacted by development. These include removing nutrients, temporarily storing flood
and storm water, providing groundwater recharge, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, education and
historical and cultural significance.
Table 18 Acres of Wetland Interface By WRIA
n4RIA Total Acres of Wetland Total Acres of Agriculture Interface
Kennedy-Gold sborough 27,207 572
Kitsap 6,960 141
Skokomish-Dosewallips 13,916 446
Lower Chehalis 6,567 49
What is going to be measured —The total number of wetland acres and wetland/agricultural
interface acres can be monitored with new data to indicate changes. Changes — increase or
decrease — would need to be ground-truthed to determine cause of change and if it is agriculture
related. Measuring the number of additional BMP/ISPs put into place post Plan approval can be an
indicator of additional protection or enhancement efforts. The District is not currently able to
measure water quality or quantity and have not included this as a determinant metric because of that.
How will it be measured — Wetland acreage will be measured using U.S. Fish & Wildlife's National
Wetlands Inventory as updated. District will download GIS data layers to compare against baseline.
As to BMPs, once the Work Plan is being implemented the data spreadsheets created as part of the
strategies will provide numbers and locations of agricultural operations to analyze any changes.
What is the adaptive management — Biennial analysis of the data showing that wetlands or
agricultural lands with wetlands are decreasing would trigger a review of conservation efforts, a site
visit (if possible) to determine cause, and a refocus of outreach.
Table 19 Best Management Practices for Wetlands
Best Management Practice Protection Enhancement Agricultural
Viability
Waste Facility Closure ✓ ✓ ✓
Composting Facility ✓ ✓ ✓
Constructed Wetland ✓
_A- Dike ✓ ✓ ✓
Drainage Water Management ✓ ✓ ✓
Fencing ✓ ✓
Filter Strip ✓ ✓
Prescribed Grazing ✓ ✓ ✓
Riparian Forest Buffer ✓ ✓
Structure For Water Control ✓ ✓ ✓
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Agricultural
Best Management Practice Protection Enhancement
Viability
Access Control
Watering Facility ✓ ✓ ✓
Wetland Creation ✓ ✓
Wetland Enhancement ✓ ✓
Wetland Restoration ✓ ✓
Wetland Wildlife Habitat ✓ ✓ ✓
Management
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CRITICAL AQUIFER RECHARGE AREAS (CARAS)
Functions and Values — These areas have a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable
water and are particularly vulnerable to contamination. Water stored in aquifers reaches the ground
surface through springs, wells, or by seepage into surface water features, including wetlands. Surface
waters replenish, "recharge", aquifers through seepage from streams, lakes, and wetlands, and from
precipitation that percolates through soil or rock. Groundwater provides virtually all of Mason
County's potable water.
Table 20 Acres of CARA Interface by WRIA
WRIA Total Acres of CARA Total Acres of Agriculture
Interface
Kennedy_ G_ oldsborough 36,703 1,806
Kitsap 4,004 244
Skokomish-Dosewallips 11,255 1,469
Lower Chehalis 69,122 735
What is going to be measured —The total number of agricultural interface acres can be monitored
with new data to indicate changes. Changes — increase or decrease — would need to be ground-
truthed to determine cause of change and if it is related to the operation's proximity to a critical
recharge area. Measuring the number of additional BMP/ISPs put into place post Plan approval can be
an indicator of additional protection or enhancement efforts.
How will it be measured — As previously discussed, the mapping of Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas
will likely not be updated in the foreseeable future. The size and location of those within the County
will remain static with no discernable tool for measuring changes. Therefore, for CARAS monitoring
will occur with respect to agricultural operations and BMPs. Once the Work Plan is being
implemented the data spreadsheets created as part of the strategies will provide a numbers and
locations of agricultural operations to analyze any changes.
What is the adaptive management — Biennial analysis of the spreadsheets showing agricultural
lands in proximity to CARAS that are decreasing would trigger a review of conservation efforts, a site
visit (if possible) to determine cause, and a refocus of outreach.
Table 21 Best Management Practices for CARAS
ProtectionBest Management Practice
Waste Facility Closure ✓ ✓ ✓
Composting Facility ✓ ✓ ✓
Constructed Wetland ✓ ✓
Drainage Water Management ✓ ✓ ✓
Prescribed Grazing ✓ ✓ ✓
Riparian Forest Buffer ✓ ✓
Animal Mortality Facility ✓ ✓ ✓
Brush Management ✓ ✓ ✓
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Best MapMemeqt.Practice Protection Enhancement Agricultural Viability
Conservation Cover ✓ ✓ ✓
Conservation Crop Rotation ✓ ✓ ✓
Contour Buffer Strips ✓ ✓
Contour Farming ✓ ✓ ✓
Cover Crop ✓ ✓ ✓
Field Border ✓ ✓ ✓
,
Aquifer
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FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION AREAS
Functions and Values — Fish and wildlife provide important recreational and economic benefits such
as hunting and fishing opportunities; the continued prosperity of the commercial and recreational fish
and shellfish industries depends on maintenance of excellent water quality and unpolluted habitats
for fish, shellfish, and their food sources. Wildlife provides educational opportunities about biological
and ecological processes, and maintaining the historical, cultural, and spiritual values of Native
American Tribes and the general public. The waters and shorelines of Mason County are an important
resource. In addition to their natural beauty and cultural value, they provide the base for a sizable
shellfish industry, aquaculture, and fish and wildlife habitat. Managed natural areas are important for fish
and wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, protection of sensitive plant species, and preservation of open space.
What is going to be measured — The total number of agricultural interface acres can be monitored
with new data to indicate changes. Changes — increase or decrease — would need to be ground-
truthed to determine cause of change and if it is agriculture related. Measuring the number of
additional BMP/ISPs put into place post Plan approval can be an indicator of additional protection or
enhancement efforts.
How will it be measured — District will download GIS data layers to compare against baseline. As to
BMPs, once the Work Plan is being implemented the data spreadsheets created as part of the
strategies will provide a numbers and locations of agricultural operations to analyze any changes.
Table 22 Acres of Priority Species Habitat by WRIA
TotalWRIA
Habitat Interface
Kennedy Goldsborough 4,113 923
Kitsap 2,657 57
Skokomish-Dosewallips 21,392 533
Lower Chehalis -- --
What is the adaptive management — Biennial analysis of the data showing that agricultural lands
with associated habitat areas are increasing or decreasing would trigger a review of conservation
efforts, a site visit (if possible) to determine cause, and a refocus of outreach.
Table 23 Best Management Practices for Fish & Wildlife Habitat
ProtectionBest Management Practice
Viability
Brush Management ✓ ✓ ✓
Conservation Cover ✓ ✓ ✓
Conservation Crop Rotation ✓ ✓ ✓
Field Border ✓ ✓ ✓
Pest Management ✓ ✓ ✓
Pond ✓ ✓ ✓
Dike ✓ ✓ ✓
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Best Management Practice Protection Enhancement Agricultural -7
Viability
Fencing ✓ ✓ ✓
Access Control ✓ ✓ ✓
Wetland Enhancement ✓ ✓
Wetland Restoration ✓ ✓
Wetland Wildlife Habitat ✓ ✓
Management
Animal Trails and Walkways ✓ ✓ ✓
Clearing and Snagging ✓ ✓ ✓
Dam ✓ ✓ ✓
Aquatic Organism Passage ✓ ✓
Hedgerow Planting ✓ ✓ ✓
Range Planting ✓ ✓ ✓
Upland Wildlife Habitat ✓ ✓
Management
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FREQUENTLY FLOODED AREAS
Functions and Values — Frequently flooded areas are lands in the flood plain subject to at least a one
percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year, or within areas subject to flooding due to
high groundwater. They include streams, rivers, lakes, coastal areas, wetlands, and areas where
high groundwater forms ponds on the ground surface.64 Alluvial soils, deposited by successive
flooding of river valleys, typically have high agricultural values ... because they contain a variety and
abundance of minerals necessary for plant growth not commonly found in soils which have developed
in place from a single parent rock source." The problems associated with the increasing annual
flooding were, among other things, attributed to soil erosion of bare, unprotected farm fields, and
damage to crops.
Table 24 Acres of Flooded Areas Interface By WRIA
FloodWRIA Total Acres of Area Total Acres of Agricultural
Interface Interface
Kennedy Goldsborough 28,353 1,169
Kitsap 8,454 162
Skokomish-Dosewallips 16,702 1,537
Lower Chehalis 6,026 180
What is going to be measured — The total number of agricultural interface acres can be monitored
with new data to indicate changes. Changes — increase or decrease — would need to be ground-
truthed to determine cause of change and if it is related to the operation's proximity to a flood area.
Measuring the number of additional BMP/ISPs put into place post Plan approval can be an indicator of
additional protection or enhancement efforts.
How will it be measured—As previously discussed, an updated mapping of Frequently Flooded Areas
was just completed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 2016-2017 and will likely
not reoccur within the next ten years. The size and location of those areas within the County will
remain relatively static with no discernable tool for measuring changes. Therefore, for frequently
flooded areas monitoring will occur with respect to agricultural operations and BMPs. Once the
Work Plan is being implemented the data spreadsheets created as part of the strategies will provide a
numbers and locations of agricultural operations to analyze any changes.
What is the adaptive management — Biennial analysis of the spreadsheets showing agricultural
lands in proximity to flood areas that are decreasing would trigger a review of conservation efforts, a
site visit (if possible) to determine cause, and a refocus of outreach.
-WAC 365-190-030(8)
65 Washington Department of Ecology.(1987). Skokomish River Comprehensive Flood Control Management Plan:Draft Plan.
(FC24.W2 C36 1987). Washington DC:U.S.Government Printing Office
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Table 25 Best Management Practices for Frequently Flooded Areas
Best Management Practice Protection Enhancement Agricultural ViabilitY4
Dam, Diversion ✓ ✓ ✓
Dike ✓ ✓ ✓
Fencing ✓ ✓
Dam ✓ ✓ ✓
Channel Stabilization ✓ ✓
Stormwater Runoff Control ✓ ✓ ✓
Animal Mortality Facility ✓ ✓ ✓
Filter Strip ✓ ✓
Skokomish River Estuary
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GEOLOGICALLY HAZARDOUS AREAS
The following sections describe monitoring and adaptive management for geologically hazardous
areas as they can effectively be addressed in this Plan. Mason County has broken down these areas
into landslide hazards, seismic hazards, and erosion hazards. These types of critical areas, similar to
flooded areas, are managed with respect to protection of life and property as opposed to the critical
area itself. For instance, a farm located in a seismic area (which is nearly all of Mason County) will
not impact it but could be impacted by it. A home, barn or similar structure built in a seismic area
will need to meet engineering and design requirements for earthquakes. There are no BMPs that
necessarily address that issue, and the strict adherence to the International Building Code will remain
as the regulatory backstop for seismically hazardous areas. This is also true for landslide hazards
areas. An agricultural activity and operation can have an impact on a landslide area, however generally
in the sense that certain activities can lead to slide occurrence. Best management practices used in
this instance are those that act in the prevention of a landslide event. The regulations adopted in the
Resource Ordinance targeting safe and responsible action in landslide areas will remain in place as the
regulatory backstop. The following sections on Seismic and Landslide Hazardous Areas will discuss
each in terms of functions and values, but will not include any best management practices.
As for the third category of geologically hazardous areas, erosion hazards, these are largely impacted
by land disturbing activity. Erosion hazard areas defined and mapped for this Plan are generally areas
with unstable soils and slopes, similar to landslide areas. However erosion can happen when activity
disturbs and exposes soils making them vulnerable to erosive forces. Agricultural activities can cause
these conditions, and there a number BMPs included in that section for review.
LANDSLIDE HAZARD AREAS
Functions and Values: A landslide is a rapid down slope movement of a mass of material such as
rocks, soil, or other debris. Landslide areas generally present potential dangers to public health and
safety; an important measure of potential risk for landslide when development occurs is land clearing
and alteration for development. Development activities can increase the risk by exposing soil
through clearing, altering natural drainage patterns, excavating the "toe" of slopes, or increasing soil
moisture content. Conversion of agricultural lands for development purposes not only depletes farm
land, but also increases the risk of landslides.
SEISMIC HAZARD AREAS
Functions and Values — Seismic Hazard Areas are areas susceptible to ground failure, including
mapped geologic faults; areas of poorly compacted artificial fill; areas with artificially steepened
slopes; post-glacial stream, lake or beach sediments; river deltas; areas designated as potential
Landslide Hazard Areas; bluff areas; and areas underlain by potentially liquefiable soils. They present
potential dangers to public health and safety, and restricted development activities within them serves
to prevent the acceleration of man-made and natural geological hazards, and to neutralize the risk to
the property owner or adjacent properties.
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EROSION HAZARD AREAS
Functions and Values — Erosion Hazards are similar to Landslide Hazards in that they are both often
created by, or aggravated by development activities such as clearing and grading. Mason County is
underlain by soils which are subject to severe erosion when disturbed. The erosion process can be
accelerated by development activity that exposes and disturbs soils so they are more vulnerable to
erosive forces. Further, increased areas of impervious surfaces reduce the infiltration of rainfall,
increase stormwater runoff, and result in even greater erosion potential.
Table 26 Erosion Interface by WRIA
AgricultureWRIA Total Acres of Erosion Total Acres of
Area Interface
Kennedy- 8,177 59
Goldsborough
Kitsap 7,051 7
! kokomish- 1,559 42
Dosewallips
Lower Chehalis 69 .04
What is going to be measured —The total number of agricultural interface acres can be monitored
with new data to indicate changes. Changes — increase or decrease — would need to be ground-
truthed to determine cause of change and if it is related to the operation's proximity to an erosion
event. Measuring the number of additional BMP/ISPs put into place post Plan approval can be an
indicator of additional protection efforts. The enhancement column of the table below has been left
blank. As with geologically hazardous areas, there are protection measures to be taken to avoid
causing an event, with some of these measuring having the benefit of agricultural viability.
How will it be measured — As discussed in Chapter 4, the mapping of Erosion Hazard Areas will
likely not be updated in the foreseeable future. The size and location of those within the County will
remain static with no discernable tool for measuring changes. Therefore, for erosion hazards
monitoring will occur with respect to agricultural operations and BMPs. Once the Work Plan is
being implemented the data spreadsheets created as part of the strategies will provide a numbers and
locations of agricultural operations to analyze any changes.
What is the adaptive management — Biennial analysis of the spreadsheets showing agricultural lands
in proximity to erosion hazard areas that are decreasing would trigger a review of conservation
efforts, a site visit (if possible) to determine cause, and a refocus of outreach.
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Table 27 Best Management Practices For Erosion Hazard Areas
Best Management Practice Protection Enhancement Agricultural Viability
Dam ✓ ✓
Brush Management ✓ ✓
Conservation Crop Rotation ✓ ✓
Field Border ✓
Pond ✓ ✓
Animal Trails and Walkways ✓ ✓
Clearing and Snagging ✓ ✓
Range Planting ✓ ✓
Prescribed Grazing ✓ ✓
Cover Crop ✓ ✓
Heavy Use Protection Area ✓ ✓
Roof Runoff Structure ✓ ✓
Water and Sediment Control Basin ✓
Mulching ✓ ✓
In many instances, utilizing a BMP is not appropriate, effective or even authorized to address issues
associated with a specific type of critical area. Therefore, this next Chapter will identify those
regulatory remedies that will remain in place as assurance that protection of critical areas is
ultimately successful.
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21 . EXISTING REGULATORY BACKSTOPS
THE Mason County Code has incorporated in Title 8 (Environmental Policy) a chapter specific to
resource management, including critical areas, commonly known as the Resource Ordinance. The
VSP regulations as adopted under the Growth Management Act" provide an alternative approach to
protecting critical areas outside the Resource Ordinance, and afford this option only to agricultural
activity. However, there are some regulations previously adopted by Mason County that would serve
to further benefit the VSP process by providing a backstop to help achieve the Plan's benchmarks.
Those sections of the Mason County Code pertaining to Landslide Hazard Areas and Frequently
Flooded Areas will remain in effect, while all other regulations for critical areas in agricultural lands fall
under the Voluntary Stewardship Program. These two codes, together with other remaining local,
state, and federal regulations are briefly described below.
MASON COUNTY CODE
SECTION 8.52.140 MCC—LANDSLIDE HAZARD AREAS
Earlier discussions in this document broach the safety issues surrounding both Landslide Hazard and
Seismic Hazard areas. The Landslide section of the Resource _
Ordinance is intended to identify areas that present potential
dangers to public health and safety, to prevent the acceleration Incorporate into the work plan
of natural geological hazards, to address off-site environmental any existing development
regulations relied upon to
impacts, and to minimize the risk to the property owner or achieve the goals and
adjacent property owners from development activities. The benchmarksfor protection.
regulations adopted under this Section will remain in effect for
the overall protection of life and property. RCW 36.70A.120(1)(h) .
SECTION 8.52.150 MCC—SEISMIC HAZARD AREAS
As with Landslide Areas, the Seismic hazard section of the Resource Ordinance is intended to
identify areas that present potential dangers to public health and safety, and to prevent the
acceleration of man-made and natural geological hazards, and to neutralize the risk to the
property owner or adjacent properties from development activities. The regulations adopted under
this Section will remain in effect for the overall protection of life and property.
CHAPTER 14.22 MCC - FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION
Frequently Flooded Areas in Mason County are actually regulated under the Flood Damage
Prevention Ordinance, which is incorporated under the Building Code and not part of the Resource
Ordinance. While there are BMPs that can effectively protect agricultural operations from potential
damage and loss, the regulations that guide development of any kind in frequently flooded areas
66 RCW 36.70A.710(I)(a) As an alternative to protecting critical areas in areas used for agricultural activities through development regulations
adopted under RCW 36.70A.060,the legislative authority of a county may elect to protect such critical areas through the program
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remain in place. Additionally, Chapter 86.16 RCW provides for the administration of National
Flood Insurance Program regulation by local governments.
CHAPTER 14.04 MCC STATE BUILDING CODES ADOPTED AND CHAPTER 14.08 MCC
BUILDING CODE AMENDMENTS
Mason County operates under the International Building Code and International Residential Code,
among others as required. These codes serve in a prescriptive manner that all structures be
constructed appropriately for life and safety. These include codes specifically targeted for structures
located in flood, landslide, and seismic hazard areas. The building codes adopted under Chapter 14
of the Mason County Code will remain in full force and effect for the protection of life and property.
CHAPTER 17.01 MCC - MASON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
The Development Regulations chapter of the Mason County Code guides zoning and land use for all
unincorporated areas. These regulations will remain in full force and effect.
CHAPTER 17.50 MCC - SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM USE REGULATIONS
Mason County's Shoreline Master Program (SMP) applies to all the lands and waters that are
designated in WAC 173-18, WAC 173-20, and WAC 173-22 to be under the jurisdiction of the
Shoreline Management Act of 1971. This Work Plan developed under the State's Voluntary
Stewardship Program will not replace those shoreline regulations. All regulations under the County's
SMP still apply.
OTHER STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS
All other applicable state and federal laws, including the Federal Clean Water Act, the Washington
Water Pollution Control Act (RCW 90.48), the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and the Washington
State Environmental Policy Act remain in full force and effect.
ASSISTING STATE AGENCIES IN THEIR
ENDANGERED
MONITORING PROGRAMS SPECIES ACT OF
The Work Group and District Staff may provide available 1973
information and assistance to help state agencies align their
monitoring efforts with VSP monitoring and the goals and An Act to providefor the
benchmarks of the VSP Work Plan within staff capabilities and conservation of
endangered and
any existing funding. Watershed-scale monitoring reports will threatened species offish,
be made available to agencies and District staff will provide wildlife, and plants, and
assistance in interpreting the findings.17 for other purposes.
,y
67 Stevens County VSP Work Plan
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22. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
THE Work Plan must ensure that there is adequate and meaningful outreach and technical
assistance to the agricultural operators and agricultural community. Providing information on the VSP
to commercial and non-commercial agricultural operators is fundamental to the overall success of
not only the Work Plan, but in the protection and enhancement of Mason County's critical areas.
The Mason County Board of Commissioners determined that the most appropriate entity to facilitate
this process would be the Mason Conservation District ("District"). This organization has an
established relationship with the agricultural community and currently works with operators to
suggest a variety of best management practices dependent on the individual needs as well as
potential funding sources for implementation. The District also participates in a number of
community events, workshops and trainings that would provide many outreach opportunities to
educate the community on the VSP. The goals and benchmarks proposed in this Work Plan will
remain within the scope and capabilities of the District; this will ensure that no operator would be at
any disadvantage for being successful.
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23. OUTREACH STRATEGY
CREATING an understanding of how the Voluntary Stewardship Program can protect important
critical areas while enhancing agricultural activity is a crucial first step. The Program's success will be
dependent upon the knowledge, cooperation, and trust of the people and organizations involved. The
Work Group's outreach strategy will help provide knowledge and understanding to the community,
create integrity and reliability, and form important relationships. Group members hope to visit
landowners where they are, regardless of the kind or stage of their agricultural operation. The
approach taken with each landowner will be specific to the type of critical area as well as the type of
agricultural operation. Ultimately, achieving a solid level of understanding will lead to the successful
implementation of this Plan.
The Work Group held a special session just to brainstorm outreach ideas. As members of the
agricultural community, the Group is the most logical resource when it comes to strategizing
outreach techniques. The Work Group was asked a single question, "How can we get the word out
to the Ag Community about VSP?" A few bulleted items were used to provoke a thought process
and meaningful discussion. Initially the Facilitator broke the bullets into two categories: marketing and
building awareness. Marketing strategies include printed materials, local and regional events,
professional partnerships, and media. Utilizing digital communications, increasing visibility through
branding with a VSP logo, and designating VSP mentors can all contribute to building awareness.
During the Group's session, several ideas were presented and then organized into broader
categories. These included:
OUTREACH EVENTS
Targeting Individual Communities — Mason County is primarily rural, with only one incorporated city.
Throughout the landscape are pockets of small, informal communities with varied agricultural
products and needs. Reaching out to those communities in ways that are unique to their individual
situations will ensure that the VSP has a better chance of implementation.
Trained "Ambassadors" - This idea would be similar to a VSP Mentor. Either a District Staff person
or even a member of the Work Group could act as an expert on the Program and disseminate
information as opportunities occur. Farm tours would be another avenue for an Ambassador, or
Mentor, to educate citizens on methods already in practice. District Staff often make site visits for
several reason providing tag-along opportunities for the VSP Coordinator to meet and educate
members of the farming community.
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Events — Local community fairs W. v.
provide an opportunity to reach a
larger number of people in a short Q
period of time and in a single location. O
Events in Mason County include Tahuya N
Days, Old Timers Historical Fair,
OysterFest, Hama Hama Oyster Rama,
Forest Festival, and Taste of Hood ^,
Canal. The District and Work Group
can partner with Chambers of
Commerce to explore the prospects ^,
for participating in these events.
Farmers Markets — Mason County has
three farmers markets — Shelton,
Belfair and Harstine Island — selling O
locally grown food as well as locally
made products. An Ambassador or Mentor present at these markets would reach the growers and
consumers, and access a broader audience.
COMMUNITY BASED MEETINGS
Master Gardner Program & Small Farms — The WSU Extension Office hosts monthly meetings of the
Master Gardeners of Mason County. Partnering with WSU, a District Staff person, or Group
member, could distribute information on VSP to local small farmers and recreational growers
participating in those meetings.
Livestock Auctions — Mason County does not have an auction house for livestock or farm equipment;
however, there is such a facility in Chehalis just about one hour south of Shelton. The Chehalis
Livestock Market may provide for an opportunity to reach farmers who've traveled to auction events.
Additionally, that Market will also travel to a farm location to conduct auctions. Mason County
farmers hosting an auction on their property may allow District Staff or Work Group members to
attend for the purposes of distributing information.
Taking this Show on the Road — Many of the communities in Mason County have Fire Halls and
Granges that are easily accessible and often used by the surrounding residents. District Staff and
Group Members could organize an open house or workshop to talk about the Program and how
participation might affect them.
Service Clubs/Organizations — The Shelton Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs hold monthly meetings as well as
many fundraising events. A District Staff person or Work Group member could ask to attend a
monthly meeting to promote the program and distribute materials.
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ADVERTISING
Piggyback Mailers — Whether it is a two sentence blurb, or a full page brochure, inserting VSP
information into mass distributed mailers could cover a larger audience. Utility companies, the
County Treasurer's Tax Statements, or even the local newspaper could serve as conduits for VSP
information.
Posters/Flyers — Creating handbills or posters about VSP, or announcing events where VSP will be
presented, could represent a visual and somewhat permanent display of information in locations
frequented by the farming community.
Parades — Yes, parades. Several organizations participate in
the Mason County Christmas Parade. Some simply walk in
groups with banners or flags, and others ride in cars, trucks,
and wagons. The District could partner with an ag-relevant
group to promote the Program, utilizing the same ride or join MCD PLANS FOR
a walking group. Or, with enough momentum and gumption, GOSNELL CREEK
the Program could be represented on its own with a "float" — RESTORATION
decorated vehicle and some enthusiastic walkers.
Reader Boards — There are several shopping centers in the KITSAP SUN
County that digital reader boards, as well as some banks and
schools. It may be possible to advertise public meetings or Arla Shepard Bull, Mason County
workshops promoting VSP on those boards. Life
WORKING WITH AG-RELATED BUSINESSES & The Mason Conservation District
ORGANIZATIONS will plant native vegetation
along Gosnell Creek, a tributary
Professional Partnerships — The District could explore of the salmon-bearing Mill Creek,
opportunities to partner with local agriculture and farming and build a bridge allowing for
businesses including retail/wholesale seed, farm equipment and safe crossing ofpeople and
livestock across the creek. The
hardware distributors. For example, incentivized sales on bridge will eliminate a natural,
BMP related purchases would receive discounts. The buyer wet crossing and prevent
receives needed supplies for improving viability and protection sediment and animal wastefrom
critical areas, and the seller receives more business as more accumulating in the creek.
buyers are encouraged to participate.
Real Estate Market — People moving into Mason County, or
just moving into a new home in the County are generally Y
working with a Realtor or real estate agent. New buyers '
often receive "welcome" gifts when they purchase property
that includes information on utilities, schools, public safety and
local amenities. The VSP could take advantage of this
tradition by inserting program materials and farmers market coupons into the mix. This would allow
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the new owners to become familiar with their land, the agriculture community and their options for
responsible care and cultivation.
Into the Classroom — Agricultural sciences are included in many collage and primary school
curriculums, as well as in school sponsored programs like 4-H. The District could approach school
district staff to discuss options for promoting the Program in these types of classes. The census
numbers for agricultural operators reflect a decline in younger farmers. Bringing new approaches to
agricultural viability that includes environmental protection may actually encourage students to
consider farming in their future.
Beyond the Classroom — The University of Washington (SeaGrant) and the Washington State
University (Extension) both provide programs around the responsible stewardship of land and water.
Events held by both Universities could serve as a platform in which VSP information could be
combined with other related educational pieces.
Political Arena — Supportive local elected officials can be strong allies when it comes to making
community wide changes. In some case, changing laws is necessary to provide more flexibility to
farmers struggling to keep their operations viable. Reaching out to Commissioners and
Councilmembers early can secure their support for future endeavors. In addition, elected officials are
the ones most informed by their constituents of problems, including those in the agricultural
community. They can in turn provide necessary information to the District and Work Group
members on what some of the issues may be.
PRINT AND BROADCAST MEDIA — INTERNET AND WEBSITES
Live From Shelton — As one of Washington most rural counties, Mason County has one official
newspaper that is published once a week, and one radio station. The radio station, unfortunately for
the County's youth, is all talk. However, this station provides talking opportunities to its citizens
everyday ... especially those who have something good to share. The Daybreak morning show on
KMAS iFiberOne News Radio features representatives from various sects of the community being
interviewed live on the radio AND on by video from their website. One or two Work Group
members and/or District Staff can arrange to be interviewed on the radio to get information out to the
station's listeners.
In the Funny Papers — As mentioned above, Mason County as well as its single incorporated city,
has one official newspaper that comes out once a week— Shelton-Mason County Journal. The District
could approach the paper about running an ad or article featuring the program. Ads could be run
to announce meeting dates and locations, or events that feature the Program. An article illustrating
the Programs origin and its plotted course through agricultural community would provide written
documentation for reference, and increase media coverage.
Website — Having an accessible and current website of information will be crucial in a world of real
time everything. People want ... need ... to know what is up to date and relevant to them. The Web
is society's "go-to" for just about any piece of information, and this rural County's VSP should be
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no exception. The District can provide a link from its home page, or generate a new address just for
VSP. The website should be easy to remember and even easier to navigate. It should provide
information important to the farmer or operator using it, including an email address for questions,
links to forms that can be filled in on line, project funding sources, and clear examples of what the
Program is intended to accomplish. It should minimize the use of acronyms and bureaucratic jibber
jabber. No matter how spectacular the Program is, if people are discouraged by an unfriendly or
overly burdensome website, their journey will end and so will the Program. The District may
consider a professional web designer to create a site that reads well, is informative and not
intimidating, and provides a logical flow of information.
Like Us — Social media is also a powerful tool. Using outlets such of Facebook or Twitter to
display finished projects and success stories, and announce events and tours will help keep the
Program in the foreground. People "liking" the site and following it on their own pages will make
it visible to others. Information will spread from a "nonpoint source" and reach a larger audience.
What's Trending — YouTube videos have become a popular outlet for entertainment and information.
The VSP can take advantage of this trend by giving the Program a "face", so to speak. Creating
videos that showcase types of available BMPs, how they work, what they look like on the ground,
and successful implementation on local farms gives the Program tangibility. Farmers and agricultural
operators not familiar with the BMPs discussed in this Work Plan may be unsure or even
intimidated by the practice and not fully understand its benefits. Showing a simple, and short,
demonstration video might help clarify the practice and increase interest. Videos of success stories
involving real farms and real people in this County will also inspire awareness and participation. One
person hosting all of the videos might even generate a local celebrity.
Agency Links — The County's VSP and Work Plan website could be linked with other agency and
organizations that play a roll or have an interest in both critical areas and sustainable farming. District
Staff can approach various representatives to determine the possibility and appropriateness of such
links.
BUILDING AWARENESS THROUGH BRANDING
Slogans and Logos — The Voluntary Stewardship Program is a mouthful, to say the least, and not
entirely descriptive of what it's about. The acronym, VSP, is even less helpful. Since the Program is
designed to reach the agricultural community and motivate them into making changes for critical
areas or for farms, or both, its needs a promotion that speaks to them. Many successful businesses
have slogans, logos and names that are easy to remember and immediately recognizable to the
community or the general public. The VSP needs to have something unique and relatable to first
draw attention, and second to become a familiar reference associated with the Work Plan's goals and
implementation.
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SITE VISITS
Educating all District Staff on at least the basics of the Program allows them to offer possible assistance
on site visits that may be initially unrelated. Agricultural operators often seek advice from District
Staff without having any knowledge of critical areas that may be located on or adjacent to their
property. Once detected by a non-regulatory agency (which is a PLUS) then the property owner can
learn about some options for both critical area protection and agricultural viability.
CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
District Staff are members of various civic and community �r f
organizations in the course of general business that can f /
provide regular opportunities to inform not only agricultural
operators but people who may know some. Materials on the
Program can be made available, as well as a District speakers
bureau describing the program, its benefits, and participation
pathways.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Mason County has a variety of elected and appointed citizen
groups that address community issues and concerns. An
informal presentation to these groups will also help
disseminate information to either an agricultural operator, or
someone who knows one.
MATERIALS
The District can prepare simple, straightforward materials
that provide information about the VSP in an
understandable and helpful format. Certain aspects of VSP Figure 20 Shelton Farmers Market
can be confusing and bogged down with legal references; reaching
out with information that is void of bureaucratic terminology and complicated formulas will be the
most effective. Agricultural operators need information that is clear and relevant to their needs and
desires. Materials created must be sensitive to this in order to be effectively understood, or even
read beyond the first sentence.
SCHOOLS
Working with schools to educate children about their natural environment is something that the
District is regularly involved with. Realizing curriculum are set by the state to a specific set of
guidelines, there may be other ways to integrate farming and agricultural events or workshops to
engage the County's future work force. One of the items addressed by the Work Group during
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the SWOT 611 process was a noticeable lack of interest and engagement by youth in agriculture as a
profession. Reaching children at earlier ages might motivate even a few to continue their education
with an emphasis on farming and agriculture.
LANDOWNER MEETINGS
Members of the farming community may have casual meetings to discuss issues of particular
importance to operators with similar production needs or products. If permitted, District Staff could
use some of these informal meetings to broach the topic of VSP and provide assistance on joining the
program or taking advantage of other opportunities for District assistance.
LOCAL BUSINESSES/GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Materials can be distributed at local retailers of hardware, farm supplies, and other small businesses
patronized by the community. Government offices are also a place where citizen often go not
necessarily out of want, but out of need. Offices of the Mason County Treasurer, Auditor, and
Assessor are centrally located in downtown Shelton with a single shared lobby. Community
members visit these offices daily and materials may be made available to them in places noticeable
while waiting. The Auditor's office is of special importance as this office implements Open Space
Program that acts as a tax incentive program for agricultural property.
VOLUNTARY STEWARDSHIP OVERVIEW AND INDIVIDUAL PLAN CHECKLIST
Creating individual stewardship plans for landowners interested in participation in the Program is core
to its overall success. The Plans are designed around a site's specific critical area with
recommended conservation practices for protection and enhancement of that area, as well as
promoting agricultural viability. The Individual Plan Checklist was created to provide an easy to
complete set of questions that would help the District discover opportunities for Program
implementation through landowners' voluntarily provided information. The checklist guides the
landowners through a series of questions that determine which watershed the property is located in,
what types of critical areas may be on or near the property, and which conversation practices have
been implemented in the or which they are interested in implementing in the future. The District
can use this information to update monitoring tables, and to make contact with interested parties.
The checklist can also be completed and sent in completely on line from the District's website.
Additionally, the first portion of the checklist provides a scaled down overview of the Program, and
can be used and distributed independent of the checklist. This came from a suggestion from the
Work Group that a short and easily digestible version of the Plan be put together as a ready-to-go
hand out. Considering the amount of bureaucratic lingo contained in the Plan, this was a great
68 Strengths,Weaknesses,Opportunities,and Threats
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suggestion and the Overview document was created. The Overview and Individual Plan Checklist is
attached in Appendix 9.
OUTREACH PRIORITIZATION AND SCHEDULE
The Work Group met on January 23, 2018 to prioritize the outreach efforts described above.
Through a collaborative effort by the Group members, the suggested ideas were individually
documented on large reading cards and displayed randomly on an exhibition board. Members then
wrote down their top three choices for year one and then beyond. The group was also asked to
"sign up" to assist with some of the events. The ideas were grouped by consensus, and the results
are reflected in the table below:
Table 28 First Year Outreach Efforts
forts
FIRST YEAR WORK GROUP
VOLUNTEER
Trained Ambassadors Larry Boltz, Myrn Stewart
Posters/Flyers Seth Eisen, Laurie Hager
Building Awareness through Branding Allan Borden, Laurie Hager, Seth Eisen
Civic Organizations ... no takers yet
Master Gardeners & Small Farms Allan Borden
Targeting Individual Communities Bill Short, Myrn Stewart, Laurie Hager,
Allan Borden
Agency Links Allan Borden, Seth Eisen
Website Seth Eisen, Laurie Hager
Social Media Seth Eisen, Laurie Hager
Individual Plan Checklist _District Staff, Volunteers as available
The items chosen for the first year are those the Group determined to be foundational to future
outreach efforts. Establishing a recognizable name and making community connections will be a
necessary first step in securing the program's future success. The next list includes items the Group
intends to target for the second year, and years to follow. After the Program has received some
degree of recognition and standing as a result of the first year's outreach, the next series of events
and opportunities should prove to be more productive.
❖ Board & Commissions ❖ Service Clubs/Organizations
❖ Landowner Meetings ❖ Farmers Markets
❖ Schools ❖ Livestock Auctions
❖ Materials ❖ Parades
❖ Local Businesses/Government Offices ❖ Piggyback Mailers
❖ Live from Shelton (Radio) ❖ Events
❖ Political Arena ❖ Professional Partnerships
❖ Site Visits ❖ What's Trending
❖ In the Funny Papers (print media) ❖ Into the Classroom
❖ Taking the Show on the Road ❖ Beyond the Classroom
❖ Reader Boards ❖ Real Estate Market
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s
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APPENDIX I CRITICAL AREAS
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CRITICAL AREAS
CRITICAL Areas are established and regulated under WAC 365-190-030 (Washington Department
of Commerce) and RCW 36.70A.030 (Growth Management Act). Accordingly, jurisdictions planning
under the Growth Management Act (GMA) must designate critical areas and adopt regulations
protecting them. The following describes how all five critical areas are defined by both the State and
Mason County.
`Critical areas' include the following areas and ecosystems: (a) Wetlands; (b) areas with a
critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water; (c)fish and wildlife habitat
conservation areas; (d)frequently flooded areas; and(e)geologically hazardous areas. "Fish
and wildlife habitat conservation areas"does not include such artificial features or constructs
as irrigation delivery systems, irrigation infrastructure, irrigation canals, or drainage ditches
that lie within the boundaries of and are maintained by a port district or an irrigation district
or company.69
WETLANDS
As defined by State code, wetlands are
Decker Creek
...areas that are inundated or saturated by
surface water or groundwater at a frequency
and duration sufficient to support, and that A-
under normal circumstances do support, a , J.
prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for
life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands
generally include swamps, marshes, bogs,
♦h w. ,
and similar areas.70
In wetlands, the soil is at least periodically saturated
or covered with water." These water conditions
support special kinds of plants called hydrophytes ,
(Greek for "water loving"). Soils that have been '
saturated for a sufficient length of time hold certain
properties and are referred to as hydric soils. An ,�;
area must exhibit all three of the following
characteristics in order to be classified a wetland:
(1) inundation or saturation of the soil by water, (2)
the presence of wetland plants (hydrophytes), and
69 RCW 36.70A.030(5)
70 RCW 36.70A030(21)
71 RCW 36.70A.030(21)
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(3) the presence of hydric soils. Wetlands are classified by a rating system set forth in the
Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington. A four-tier wetlands rating
system has been adopted as the rating system for Mason County. Wetland buffer widths, wetland
activities, and replacement ratios are based on this rating system. These four categories include:
WETLANDS CLASSTHCATION72
Category I Wetlands. Category I wetlands contain documented habitat for threatened or
endangered plant, animal, or fish species recognized by federal or state agencies; or
documented Natural Heritage wetland sites or high quality native wetland communities which
qualify as Natural Heritage wetland sites; or documented habitat of regional (Pacific Coast)
or national significance for migratory birds; or regionally rare wetland communities; or
wetlands with irreplaceable ecological functions; or documented wetlands of local
significance.
Category II Wetlands. Category 77 wetlands contain documented habitat recognized by federal
and state agencies for sensitive plant, animal, or fish species; or documented priority habitats
and species recognized by state agencies; or wetlands with significant functions which may
not be adequately replicated through creation or restoration; or wetlands with significant
habitat value;or documented wetlands of local significance.
Category III Wetlands. Category III wetlands are classed as category III when they satisfy no
category I,II, or IV criteria.
Category IV Wetlands. Category IV wetlands are less than one acre in size and hydrologically
isolated and comprised of one vegetated class that is dominated (more than eighty percent
areal cover) by one species from the list in Table 21 (WAC 173-183-71o(d)(ii)); or are less than
two acres and hydrologically isolated with one vegetative class and more than ninety percent
of the areal cover is any combination of species. (WAC 173-183-71 o(d)(ii))
The Wetlands and WRIAs Map indicates all of the known wetlands in Mason County according to the
2011 National Wetlands Inventory; there are nearly 55,000 acres. Most of these areas are
associated with larger freshwater and saltwater systems. The alteration or destruction of wetlands
can eliminate or reduce a variety of biological and hydrological functions that wetlands perform.
Direct impacts may result from the clearing, grading or filling of land prior to new development. Of
equal important are the indirect impacts from new development, which may alter surface water flows,
or interrupt the infiltration of groundwater.
New development may increase volumes of sediment-laden runoff entering wetlands. This may
inhibit the wetlands' natural capacity to remove nutrients and process chemical and organic wastes. In
addition, increased sedimentation within wetlands may reduce their ability to temporarily store flood
waters and increase the risk and magnitude of downstream impacts. Wetlands may also often provide
groundwater recharge. Development activities in areas near or hydrologically connected to wetlands
in recharge areas could interrupt infiltration to the groundwater system.
71 WAC 173-183-710
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via,
ki
� . ! /►
Vol
r
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Figure 21 Wetlands Map
MASON COUNTY
National Wetlands Inventory ~""
s
Legend
Wetlands 7 ,:
'Naterbodies r
Mason County
Parcels `
Mason County WRIAs, )-
Date 1113/2017
'
wk-
Mason Mason , �. •;: J
Conservation
�. District
0 2 4 8 Hiles
Source:National Wetlands Inventory
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CRITICAL AQUIFER RECHARGE AREAS
Groundwater exists in underground layers of porous rock or soil called aquifers. Water stored in
aquifers reaches the ground surface through springs, wells, or by seepage into surface water features,
including wetlands. Surface waters replenish, "recharge", aquifers through seepage from streams,
lakes, and wetlands, and from precipitation that percolates through soil or rock. Areas with a critical
recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water, also called Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas or
CARAs, include 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.73
The Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas exist throughout Mason County and are mapped on Figure 23.
Potable water means water
suitable for drinking. -���o„a.,,,,�,p, conden"tson
Groundwater provides virtually all I ►.o.M Air
of Mason County's potable water. evepwauon mm rnv"virwon
Protecting aquifers and aquifer rwers,smts. kes
recharge areas, therefore, is
critical to maintaining Mason °rte°""'O"
County's water supply. The
groundwater supplying most of
ewpurarhon
the County's water is obtained frum .
from the aquifers running through
Alp-
the coarser and more permeable --- M •t,.I�/ '�
glacial and fluvial sedimentary
Groundwater
deposits. The older,
undifferentiated sedimentary
deposits provide large quantities of Source: WA Department Of Ecology
water for industrial and municipal
wells. Bedrock forms the bottom of the groundwater layer although fractures and joints in the
relatively impermeable rocks may yield small quantities of water. Precipitation provides the primary
source of recharge for Mason County's groundwater. Precipitation within the County averages 64
inches annually. It increases rapidly towards the Olympic Mountains where, at Lake Cushman,
precipitation is in excess of 100 inches per year. Water levels in wells are typically within 125 feet of
the land surface. The quality of groundwater in an aquifer is inextricably linked to its recharge area.
Approximately 121,084 acres have been mapped as Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas in Mason County.
Urban development has two potential impacts on groundwater resources: 1) increases in impervious
surfaces reduce the volume of precipitation available to recharge groundwater, and 2) may introduce
pollutants into the groundwater system. When groundwater recharge is reduced, groundwater
73WAC365-190-030(3)
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supplies may be depleted. In many instances, this is coupled with withdrawals of groundwater in
excess of recharge capacity. Potential long-term impacts include reduced capacity of water wells,
reduced flows in groundwater-fed streams, and depletion of water supplies to lakes or wetlands.
Pollutants can be introduced into the groundwater system through a variety of means. They include
failing septic systems, agricultural chemicals, animal waste, urban runoff, solid waste disposal, and
leaking underground storage tanks.
I
Aari
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Figure 22 Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas Map
MASON COUNTY
Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas W A i
/ s
Legend
Nlascn County'NRIAs
w.Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas I
Natefbodies
Mason County
Parcels Date 11/3/2017
00
rein tv.
0-
VM
b. .4
24
Mason
Conservation
s L
District
0 2 4 8 Uiles
Source:Mason County Department of Public Works,GIS Division
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FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION AREAS
Preservation of fish and wildlife habitat
is critical to protecting suitable
environments for animal species, and
in providing an important part of the
local quality of life for County
residents and visitors. Fish and
wildlife also provide important
recreational and economic benefits
such as hunting and fishing
opportunities. The continued fit- v
prosperity of the commercial and
recreational fish and shellfish
industries depends on maintenance of
excellent water quality and unpolluted
habitats for fish, shellfish, and their
food sources. Fish and wildlife habitat '
also provide significant social benefits. Mason County residents are accustomed to occasional
encounters with wildlife such as bald eagles, great blue heron and elk. Wildlife provides the
opportunity to educate the public about biological and ecological processes. Other less quantifiable
benefits include wildlife viewing, and maintaining the historical, cultural, and spiritual values of Native
American Tribes and the general public.
The Mason County Resource Ordinance guides management of the County's fish and wildlife habitat
through the regulation of conservation areas. Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas include
both aquatic and terrestrial areas within the County. The approximate location and extent of critical
fish and wildlife habitat areas are displayed in the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife's
(WDFW) Priority Habitat and Species (PHS) Program database. The following categories are used in
classifying these critical areas:
I) Commercial and recreational shellfish areas;
2) Kelp and eelgrass beds; herring, sand lance, and smelt spawning areas;
3) Naturally occurring lakes and ponds under 20 acres and their submerged aquatic beds that
provide fish or wildlife habitat;
4) Streams;
5) Saltwater shorelines, and Lakes 20 acres and greater in surface area;
6) Lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers planted with game fish by a governmental or tribal entity;
7) State Department of Natural Resources natural area preserves and natural resource
conservation areas;
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8) Areas with which federal or state endangered, threatened and sensitive species of fish and
wildlife have a primary association. Those species known to be found in Mason County shall be
listed in the Resource Ordinance. Protection of species habitats is determined by the state or
federal listing, and their actual presence near the site subject to review. Other listed and
protected species may be found in Mason County, which are not listed.
9) Other areas that contain habitats and species of local importance (which include juvenile
salmonid migration areas) as also listed. Species of local importance may include, but are not
limited to, state candidate and monitor species.
AQUATIC AREAS Mason County includes three principal river systems and numerous lakes, small
rivers, and streams. The Skokomish
and Hamma Hamma Rivers are swiftly
flowing, deeply incised rivers that
originate high in the Olympic
Mountains and empty into Hood
Canal. The east and middle forks of
the Satsop River originate in the
Olympic Mountains, converge at the
southwestern corner of the county,
and flow southward into the Chehalis
River. All of the eastern part of the
County is drained by smaller streams
which flow only short distances before
® , reaching outlets to Puget Sound. Many
of the small streams support significant
fisheries that include anadromous fish.
Other surface waters are made up of
numerous lakes and wetland areas, some of which include Cushman, Mason, Nahwatzel, Lost,
Isabella, Island, Cranberry, Limerick and Spencer Lakes.
The waters and shorelines of Mason County are an important resource. In addition to their
natural beauty and cultural value, they provide the base for a sizable shellfish industry, aquaculture, fish
and wildlife habitat. Water systems are typed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources
and the following table provides a general description of water type classifications currently in use.
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Table 29 Water Typing System74
Type Description
Type "S" = Streams and waterbodies that are designated "shorelines of the state"as
Shoreline_ defined in Chester 90.58.03o RCW(formerly Type 1)
Type "F" = Streams and waterbodies that are known to be used by fish, or meet the
Fish physical criteria to be potentially used by fish. Fish streams may or may
not have flowing water all year; they may be perennial or season
(formerly Type 2 or 3)
Type "Np" = Streams that have flow year round and may have spatially intermittent
Non-Fish dry reaches downstream of perennial flow. Type Np streams do not meet
the physical criteria of a Type Fstream. This also includes streams that
have been proven not to contain fish using methods described in Forest
_ Practices Board Manual Section 13 (formgl:l 4)
Type "Ns" = Streams that do not have surface flow during at least some portion of the
Non-Fish year, and do not meet the physical criteria of a Type F stream (formerly
Seasonal Type 5)
TERRESTRIAL AREAS I All development activities have the potential to impact native plant and animal
species. Terrestrial Management Areas are those areas where the presence of state endangered or
state threatened terrestrial species have been identified. The Mason County Resource Ordinance
specifies that all development in these
areas shall be consistent with State and
Federal law.
There are also a number of publicly and
privately managed natural areas in
Mason County that have been
designated as preserves or refuges.
These areas are important for fish and
wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, protection
of sensitive plant species, and
preservation of open space. In Mason "
County, there are nearly 28,000 acres *"
of habitat. The Priority Species Habitat llosell
is mapped in Figure 23.
74 WAC 222-16-030
Mason County-- Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1128
WORK PLAN
Figure 23 WDFW Priority Species Habitat
MASON COUNTY
WDFW Priority Species
Habitat Areas
—. .........
Legend
Waterb(Ates
Priority species Habitat
Mason county
Parcels
Mason County WRIAs
Date: 11/3/2017
Mason
Conservation
District
02 4 1 1.111es
L . . . . . .
Source:WA Department of Fish&Wildlife
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 129
WORK PLAN
FREQUENTLY FLOODED AREAS
Frequently flooded areas are lands in the flood plain subject to at least a one percent or greater chance
of flooding in any given year, or within areas subject to flooding due to high groundwater. These
areas include, but are not limited to, streams, rivers, lakes, coastal areas, wetlands, and areas where
high groundwater forms ponds on the ground surface.75 In Mason County they include areas
identified as potential or historic flood areas in the Department of Ecology's Coastal Zone Atlasor
areas identified as "Zone A" flood areas on the National Flood Insurance Program Flood Insurance
Rate Maps. Areas in the County meeting these descriptions are mapped in Figure 24, Frequently
Flooded Areas.
Flooding in Mason County generally occurs from November through April. The greatest cause of
flooding is heavy rainfall combined with snow melt. The Mason County Flood Insurance Study lists
four areas as most susceptible to flooding. Those areas include the Skokomish, Tahuya and Union
Rivers, and Goldsborough Creek. The Skokomish River Valley floods several times annually. Many
homes, pastures and personal property were damaged over the years as well as lesser damage on a
more frequent basis. Flooding on the Tahuya River and Goldsborough Creek has been known to
cause some damage, whereas the Union River tends to have high flows, but minimal overbank
flooding.
Flooding of marine shorelines is caused by a number of factors, which can occur individually or in
combination. They include extreme high tides, waves generated by winds, tsunamis of distant origin,
and locally generated seismic waves
or boils. Wind-driven waves,
superimposed on extreme high
tides, represent the most common
form of coastal flooding. Mason -
County protects frequently flooded
areas by concentrating urban =a-
development on the least amount of
land, considers the suitability of the
land for development through the ., s
use of performance standards, and
provides for significant open space
and resource use areas in µ
development within the Rural Area. ;
Skokomish River Flooding
7s WAC 36S-I 90-030(8)
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 130
WORK PLAN
Figure 24 Frequently Flooded Areas Map
MASON COUNTY "
Frequently Flooded Areas -�� �
l S w e
s
A' �r
Legend r �'
Mason County WRIAs
Frequently Flooded Areas
Waterbodles F
Mason County
Parcels �
Date: 11/3/2017 + }
t)o�,
1
Mason
Conservation
District
o z a e Miles
Source:Mason County Department of Public Works,GIS Division
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1131
WORK PLAN
GEOLOGICALLY HAZARDOUS AREAS
Geologically hazardous areas are susceptible to erosion, sliding, earthquake, or other geological
events, making them unsuitable for the siting of commercial, residential, or industrial development
consistent with public health or safety concern S.71 In many cases, hazards can be reduced or
mitigated by engineering, design or modified construction practices. Mason County's Resource
Ordinance identifies three types of Geologic Hazard Areas: 1) Landslide Hazard Areas; 2) Seismic
Hazard Areas; and 3) Erosion Hazard Areas. Landslide Hazard Areas are lands that have an
increased potential for landslides and other earth movement. Seismic Hazard Areas are lands that
are particularly susceptible to damage from earthquakes and other seismic activity. Lastly, Erosion
Hazard Areas are lands that are more susceptible to excessive erosion.
LANDSLIDE HAZARD I A landslide is a rapid down slope movement of a mass of material such as
rocks, soil, or other debris. The speed and distance of movement, as well as the amount of material,
vary greatly and depend on a combination of geologic, topographic and hydrologic factors. Especially
susceptible to landslide hazards are marine bluffs and unconsolidated glacial deposits on steep hillsides
(greater than 40%). The risk of landslide occurrence depends on a number of factors including soil
vulnerability, slope, and the degree of water saturation. Development activities can increase the risk
by exposing soil through clearing, altering natural drainage patterns, excavating the "toe" of slopes, or
increasing soil moisture content. An important measure of potential risk for landslide when
development occurs is land clearing and alteration for development.
Conversion of agricultural lands not only depletes farm land, but also
increases the risk of landslides. Potential impacts to Mason
County can be assessed based on the relative amount of land
converted to urban
uses during the 20-
year planning under
each of the
alternatives.
t.
La Hwy 10 1 along Hlo'k- anal
76 RCW 36.70A.030(9)
Mason County--Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 132
WORK PLAN
Figure 25 Landslide Hazard Areas Map
MASON COUNTY "
Landslide Hazards Areas
1 s
i
Mason County WRIAs r _ �
Landslide Hazards Area 1� l
Waterbodies y{ r
Mason County r
Parcels i r
Date 1113!2017 v {
I All_ ,. 1 _ art- ^- J _\ •• �r, I �r-�.
✓ a l
r
Mason �� , - r '; k f ,�
Conservation
District / rte• — �• t`�s
a 0 2 4 8 Miles
r�
Source:Mason County Department of Public Works,GIS Division
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 133
WORK PLAN
SEISMIC HAZARD I Seismic Hazards occur in areas subject to severe risk of earthquake damage as a
result of seismic induced settlement or soil liquefaction. These areas include soils containing high
organic content (e.g., wetland soils), areas of loose sand and gravel, artificial fills, landslide deposits, and
fine-grained soils with high water tables. Seismic Hazard Areas are areas susceptible to ground failure,
including mapped geologic faults; areas of poorly compacted artificial fill; areas with artificially
steepened slopes; post-glacial stream, lake or beach sediments; river deltas; areas designated as
potential Landslide Hazard Areas; bluff areas; and areas underlain by potentially liquefiable soils.
Mapped Seismic Hazard Areas (Figure 26) cover the majority of the County. The northwest portion
of the County is Olympic National Forest which is presumably also susceptible to seismic activity
however parcel data for that area is not available for inclusion on this map.
Seismic hazard area development standards focus on effects to buildings and other facilities from
intense ground shaking and/or liquefaction. Attention to seismically induced landslides could also
cause structural damage to buildings, particularly on steeper slopes and shoreline bluffs. In addition,
the critical area regulations do not allow significant public buildings in seismic hazard areas; and the
future land use plan directs most growth away from these areas.
Earthquake near Belfair
shakes Puget Sound area
x
Epttrgrr td12
17 463'N 123 019114
%A,U1 f L
f
tiCCn►.
!StJ1
unwi
ac
�Shdton ��=��rm
S.�i7D
• If1 fa UcT10:
Source:www.Olympian.Com
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1134
WORK PLAN
Figure 26 Seismic Hazard Areas Map
MASON COUNTY "
Seismic Hazard Areas
s
Legend
Mason County WRIAs /
Waterbodies
Seismic Hazard Areas
Parcels
Mason Coun r
Date: 11!312017
Mason
Conservation
District
0 2 4 8 Miles
Source:Mason County Department of Public Works,GIS Division
Mason County-- Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 135
WORK PLAN
EROSION HAZARD I Erosion is a natural process in which the land surface is worn away by the
action of water, wind, ice or other geologic processes. The most common cause of erosion is water
falling or flowing across the land. Factors contributing to erosion hazard are soil type and slope.
Mason County is underlain by soils which are subject to severe erosion when disturbed. Such soils
include, but are not limited to, those for which the potential for erosion is identified in the Soil Survey
of Mason County, USDA Soil Conservation Service, 1960, or any subsequent revisions or addition to
this source. Erosion hazards generally occur on erosive soils where slopes exceed 15%. The erosion
process can be accelerated by development activity that exposes and disturbs soils so they are more
vulnerable to erosive forces. Further, increased areas of impervious surfaces reduce the infiltration of
rainfall, increase stormwater runoff, and result in even greater erosion potential. Increased runoff,
erosion, and sedimentation may adversely affect the physical and biological characteristics of streams
and other water resources. Erosion Hazards are similar to Landslide Hazards in that they are both
often created by, or aggravated by development activities such as clearing and grading. The
comprehensive plan controls the hazards through the critical areas regulations and by concentrating
development in suitable areas. Erosion Hazard Areas as mapped in Figure 27.
Y
Erosion at . Deer Cre k-"
1..
- �"±' �• �.airs �a _ +,;,,,,
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 136
WORK PLAN
Figure 27 Erosion Hazard Areas Map
M
MASON COUNTY 77
M �E
Erosion Hazard Areas ,P'
if
I
rr, I i
� r "r
Legend
Erosion Hazards Areas t r
Mason County WRIAS w� j
Waterbodies
Mason Countvi7
�
Parcels
Date: 11/3/2017
' ^ r
i r J
/fig. •i
7
Mason
Conservation
�. District
0 2 a e Mlles
Source:Mason County Department of Public Works,GIS Division
Mason County--Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 137
WORK PLAN
APPENDIX 2 EXISTING PLANS
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 138
WORK PLAN
EXISTING PLANS
The following describes portions of watershed plans as they pertain to agriculture, and its interface
within the areas.
ANNAS BAY CLOSURE RESPONSE STRATEGY, APRIL 2007. The Annas Bay Shellfish Protection
District encompasses approximately 190 developed parcels with 30 of those along shorelines. The
district contains one small animal feeding operation (<60 animals) adjacent to the Skokomish River,
Figure 2 Map of Annas Ray Shellfish Protection District
Figure 28 Annas Bay N
Shellfish Protection y
District Map �O�
S C
q N
q �
0 0.400 Potlatch
Fe � ~tate Part. WOO
Indian
R
i
r-
Nt
'S41, 1K
�pt aw�ltllll
3
Porde Cutoff Rd
i
( l.esead
•-- 4ream.
%hdltirh Pnt-tun l h amt
Crowing Areas
t.xuh h.rul
Itn„6d.1, ltd H.4xMtr,1
l na.t.Iah.m kcrrr ir.
Source:Annas Bay Gosure Response Strategy
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 139
WORK PLAN
and several hobby farms. It is bordered on the west by Highway 101 and runs south from Potlatch
State Park to Brockdale Road; it then follows the ridgeline north to Union. At Union, the district lies
adjacent to the Lower Hood Canal Shellfish Protection District, which extends on both sides of the
canal to Belfair.
Annas Bay was downgraded by the Washington Department of Ecology in 2005 due to high levels
of fecal coliform bacteria from non-point sources. Fecal coliform are bacteria found in the feces of
warm-blooded animals and can be used to detect the potential presence of disease-causing organisms
in water. Failing septic systems, livestock, pet waste, human recreational activities, and wildlife
(including seals) are potential sources of fecal coliform bacteria in the watershed. This triggered the
creation of a shellfish protection district and a protection program.
Pollution sources of concern include farm animal waste, pet waste, wildlife waste, and human sources.
Improper livestock manure handling and storage
can contribute to fecal coliform pollution. In
addition, livestock in the vicinity have access to
riparian areas and surface waters which can
transport waste to shellfish beds. Strategies
outlined in the Plan included monthly and bi-
,,afion(cider
monthly water sampling, sanitary surveys of on-
Isite sewage septic systems, dye tests, and
1100nal Park livestock inventories. Pollution control options
for agricultural sources include development and
implementation of farm plans that protect water
Annas 1 C quality and technical and cost-share assistance
to help landowners implement best management
Ilk practices including riparian fencing, waste
storage structures, tree planting, erosion
control and gutters, downspouts and outlets.
AA The Plan also had a public outreach and
k Gill education component to provide the
community with information and resources as
1f10
well as oyster meat sampling, interactive field
r I� trips for local schools, and workshops.
The Annas Bay Strategy included nearly all the
ISkokomish tribal components of the VSP Work Plan making it a
Ne❑quarters potential resource for historical data. The
groundwork put in place for protecting water
quality aligns with the goals of VSP and
relationships cultivated during that process
could at some point be further built upon.
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 140
WORK PLAN
The Work Group could reach out periodically to Mason County Public Health for new
opportunities; however most of the activities associated with the Plan were complete in 2007.
BIG BEND SHELLFISH PROTECTION DISTRICT, APRIL 2017. In September 2015, Washington
Department of Health downgraded 17 acres of shellfish growing beds from Approved to Conditionally
Approved in the Big Bend Area of Hood Canal. This area is largely developed along the marine
shoreline and relatively Figure 29 Big Bend Shellfish Protection District Map
undeveloped in the uplands.
As a Conditionally Approved j
area, 5-day closures in Big I 195 300
Bend are triggered with
rainfall of 0.75 in or greater '
s .
within 24 hours. Additionally
two sections within the area,
H and I (pink and green �\
respectively in the map -
below), are seasonally closed
from May-September due to
point source pollution from
the nearby marina.
With the establishment of
the Big Bend Shellfish
Protection District (SPD) in
February 2016, Mason
County Public Health in
collaboration with other local
agencies developed a plan to
identify, investigate and
monitor fecal contamination
from adjacent shoreline and Legend
upland runoff affecting Big
Bend to work towards an y
"approved" status for this "
area. At this time, the SPD is
meeting water quality _ I
standards. However Big
Bend is considered a high risk area so reclassification cannot occur until on the ground monitoring,
investigation and capacity building have occurred. The lower tolerance for risk exists for this area due
to a high presence of older shoreline on-site systems, general water quality trends in Hood Canal and
Mason County-- Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 141
WORK PLAN
stormwater management. The activities associated with this Plan's Work Plan Matrix were been
completed in 2016 and no new information is known to be available for use in the VSP.
MCLANE COVE SHELLFISH PROTECTION DISTRICT, MAY 2016. McLane Cove is a small
embayment at the northeast end of Pickering Passage. Pickering Passage is located in the South Puget
Sound region and extends from Case Inlet in the North to Peale and Squaxin Passages and
Hammersley Inlet at the southern end. One of the perennial streams has been named McLane Creek
in previous Department of Health reports and has been variously categorized within the reports as
seasonal or perennial. The area has traditionally supported clams and oysters harvest. The drainage
area of these streams has been used to define the McLane Cove Clean Water District.
2z` �e,.......
�! d
ORE
7..;
Pp55pGE G V /
P'GKERING �:J
In 1990, a Shoreline Sanitary Survey found potential sources of untreated fecal pollution entering
McLane Cove from farm animals. By 1996, re-evaluation of McLane Cove found that agricultural
practices had been improved. However, this area continues to fail National Shellfish Sanitation
Program (NSSP) water quality standards for Approved classification. Strategies for improvement
included in the Plan's immediate goals are to reduce water pollution, meet state and federal water
quality standards for commercial shellfish, and ensure that water quality standards are maintained.
This would be accomplished by a variety of measures including identifying agriculture sites and
providing corrective assistance, if needed. It is unclear from this Plan what measures are currently
being taken to address potential farm related pollution. However, again working with the Health
Department to access previously observed contaminated sites and existing water quality information
could produce more outreach options.
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 142
WORK PLAN
McLane Cove Shellfish Protection District
r
A'
J
5
r_
Figure 30 McLane Cove Shellfish Protection District Map
Source:McLane Cove Shellfish Protection District Plan
OAKLAND BAY ACTION PLAN, AUGUST 2007. Oakland Bay is a small, relatively broad and
shallow estuary approximately four miles long and 3/4 of a mile wide with water depths averaging 10-
35 feet. (Figure 33) A large area of the foreshore is exposed to air at low tides. This inter-tidal
zone is predominately mud flats with narrow deeper channels. Due to the restrictive nature of
Hammersley Inlet, the long narrow waterway linking the bay to the Puget Sound Basin, the water in
Oakland Bay has high refluxing, low flushing and high retention rates. There are nine major
creeks: Deer, Cranberry, Campbell, Johns, Uncle John, Malaney, Shelton, Mill and Goldsborough.
The drainages of these creeks, together with the shoreline drainage have been used to define the
Oakland Bay Action Plan Focus Area.
Development on the shoreline and upland areas of Oakland Bay has been gradually expanding over the
years. Most development in the area is residential with some industry and commercial activity,
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 143
WORK PLAN
especially along the west and south sides of the bay. In most of the area on-site sewage systems treat
residential waste. The Shelton Wastewater Treatment Plant serves all residences and commercial
establishments within its service area along the south end of the bay. In 2007 there were about 102
agricultural activities with potential to impact the growing area are located in the watershed."
At the time of the plan, Oakland Bay water quality research and improvement efforts typically showed
non-point sources of pollution to include on-site sewage systems, storm water, livestock, pets, and
wildlife. Similar to McLane Cove, the Plan's primary goals were to reduce water pollution, meet state
and federal water quality standards, and ensure that water quality improvements are maintained.
However, unlike McLane Cove, the Oakland Bay plan had more detailed strategies described to meet
that goal. Most of Oakland Bay's pollution problems over the years have been sourced back to
sewage and sewer impacts since 1955. At that time, the evaluation of potential impacts from livestock
had been included as a nonpoint pollution source for fecal coliform bacteria. The Departments of
Ecology and Agriculture were to participate in water quality complaints to determine if agricultural
practices are in fact impactful. Strategies for improvement included organized agency involvement and
accountability, monitoring and performance measures, and overall changes at the policy and
permitting levels. Correcting water contamination from agricultural sources would involve providing
technical help to agricultural landowners, requiring conservation plans or environmental permits for
new agricultural buildings, and the County's response to water quality complaints that involve land use
in critical areas. Similar to the Annas Bay Strategy, the Plan for Oakland Bay closely aligns with the
VSP goals. In 2007 Mason County formed the Oakland Bay Clean Water District and appointed an
Advisory Committee. This Committee continues to hold meetings facilitated by the Mason County
Health Department. The Work Group and the District should become involved to a reasonable
extent in this Committee's activities and agenda, and share resources to further the VSP goals.
WRIA 14 WATERSHED MANAGEMENT DRAFT PLAN, FEBRUARY 2006 (Kennedy–
Goldsborough Watershed). WRIA 14 is divided into five sub-basins—Case Inlet, Goldsborough,
Kennedy, Skookum, and South Shore. This Draft Plan was complete in 2006 however the Planning
Group was unable to reach consensus and it was ultimately not approved. The map in Figure 31 shows
the original boundaries of WRIA and was included in the Draft Plan. In 2008, however the WRIA
was divided into two parts – WRIA 14a and b. WRIA 14b is now included in WRIA 16 for Planning
purposes.
778erbells,S.2003.2003 Shoreline Survey of the Oakland Bay Shellfish Growing Area.Department of Health.Olympia,WA.
Mason County-- Voluntary Stewardship Program
Source:WA Department of Ecology
Page 1 144
WORK PLAN
Figure 32 shows the
r a Wfwp.aapp,c.aawewpA,.. portion of WRIA 14
owpwrwshow
that is now considered
F I4b in blue cross
J hatch. It contains that
portion of Kennedy-
:-._ � �
Goldsborough that
•*•, drains into the
41
southern portion of
the lower Hood Canal.
G•in°`} anaann 'sWR1/114y,: 7.
Like other parts of
t south Puget Sound,
WRIA 14 Ksnnsdy-0oMabo"h Cr"ks WRIA 14 features an
wan,A—laWday
.w.e. N ,, extensive network of
N streams that issue
o
o u.f'=._
from springs,
wetlands, small lakes,
Olympia and surface water
Figure 31 WRIA 14 Kennedy Goldsborough Creeks Map
— - drainages. These
streams flow into shallow bays and inlets. Principal drainages include Cranberry, Goldsborough,
Kennedy, Mill, Sherwood, Johns, Deer, and Skookum Creeks. Despite its abundance of creeks, WRIA
14 has no major rivers.
The quality of water in many of WRIA 14's streams, lakes, and nearshore areas has been degraded in
the past. Five marine areas, including parts of Oakland Bay and Hammersley Inlet, have been on the
Department of Ecology's 303 (d)78 list of impaired waters because of fecal coliform bacteria levels
and/or stream temperatures. Likewise, 14 creeks in WRIA 14 have in the past been included on
the 303(d) list for fecal coliform, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and/or pH. WRIA 14 is also
home to many shellfish species, and water quantity and quality issues can have profound implications
for fish and shellfish habitat.
The limiting factors analysis conducted for WRIA 14 indicates that salmonid habitat has been
degraded by land use practices associated with forest management, removal of large woody
debris (LWD), development, and agriculture.79 Other issues include culvert problems,
78Water Quality Assessment and 303(d) List The federal Clean Water Act, adopted in 1972, requires that all states restore their waters to be
"fishable and swimmable." Washington's Water Quality Assessment lists the water quality status for water bodies in the state. This assessment
meets the federal requirements for an integrated report under Sections 303(d) and 305(b) of the Clean Water Act
www.ecy.wa.govlprogramslwgl303d
79Kuttel, M. 2002. Salmonid Habitat Limiting Factors Water Resource Inventory Area 14, Kennedy-Goldsborough Basin, Final Report—November
2002.Olympia,WA:Washington Statg Conservation Commission
Source:gis.co.mason.wo.us
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 145
WORK PLAN
nearshore habitat and riparian degradation, loss of channel complexity, and high
sedimentation leuels.80
The statute requires that watershed planning be a three-pronged comprehensive strategy toward
improvement, with production agriculture being just one of those prongs. (RCW 90.82.043(2)) The
scope of planning must include water quantity elements as provided in RCW 90.82.070, and may
include water quality elements as contained in RCW 90.82.090, habitat elements as contained in
RCW 90.82.100, and instream flow elements as contained in RCW 90.82.080. Each of these was
addressed in the WRIA 14 Plan with specific reference to the impacts of agricultural activity on fish
and shellfish habitat.
The draft plan did concede, however, that the data was insufficient to draw conclusions as to overall
water quality and quantity, and that a comprehensive water-resource monitoring program would be
needed. Recommendations from the Plan included education and smart management of "leaving"
water (storm water, sewage water, construction site water, residentially used water, irrigation water,
agriculture water, etc.) and "staying" water (conservation, low impact development, re-use, minimal
---------.-- - water use, native vegetation, etc.) Without
/`..1 the necessary data to suggest a nexus
��•��h between high levels of fecal coliform
that may be found in this watershed and
agricultural activities, and considering
the primary objective of these state
mandated plans is water "quantity",
Oymglc ebwnal Point
there is a minimal amount of
identifiable action in this plan for
agricultural and critical area interface.
The planning efforts in WRIA 14a have
not continued since that draft Plan; and
the recommendations provide a fairly
universal approach to protection that
j can be incorporated in VSP for activity
in that WRIA. This planning effort does
not provide useful platform from which
'_- - the VSP Work Plan can build.
/ '.,`r WRIA 16 WATERSHED
MANAGEMENT PLAN, MAY 2006
Figure 32 WRIA Map with 14b (Skokomish-Dosewallips Watershed,
including 14b) The Skokomish-Dosewallips watershed is located on the eastern slope of the
80WRIA 14 Watershed Management Plan,Kennedy—Goldsborough Watershed,Final Draft/February 2006
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 146
WORK PLAN
Olympic Peninsula, along the western and southern shores of Hood Canal. WRIA 16 includes
several rivers and streams that flow from headwaters in the Olympic Mountains down to Hood
Canal. The largest rivers in the watershed are the Skokomish, Dosewallips, Hamma Hamma, and
Duckabush Rivers. The southern shore of Hood Canal, between Union and the western outskirts of
Belfair, is also considered in this plan. Although technically part of the neighboring Kennedy-
Goldsborough watershed (WRIA 14b), Hood Canal's southern shore was considered here through
agreement with the WRIA 14 Planning Unit to help consolidate planning for Hood Canal and the
nearshore environment.
Five sub-basins are officially part of WRIA 16, and the sixth, the South Shore sub-basin, is officially part
of WRIA 14. The six sub-basins are the Dosewallips River, Duckabush River, Hamma Hamma River,
Finch/Lilliwaup Creeks, Skokomish River (including the North Fork, South Fork, and mainstem); and
South Shore.
WRIA 16's streams and nearshore environment provide habitat for fish, shellfish, and other aquatic
animals and organisms. Agricultural activities and development can channelize mainstems and
tributaries, drain beaver ponds, and threaten or destroy forested riparian zones. Development and
agricultural activities in the watershed have, in some cases, disconnected floodplains from side channel
habitats, removed large woody debris, reduced channel complexity and instream structure, removed
riparian vegetation, caused sediment accumulation in channels, and decreased streambed and
streambank stability throughout the watershed. Removal of large woody debris has reduced habitat
quality in many streams in WRIA 16.
Floodplain connectivity, channel complexity, and riparian conditions have all been degraded by
development. Riparian areas have been developed for residential or agricultural use, thereby removing
vegetation that helped control runoff and sedimentation, shaded streams and helped keep stream
temperatures cool, provided a source of large woody debris, provided habitat for terrestrial animals,
and naturally protected streambanks from erosion.
The WRIA 16 Plan recommends that those farms in or adjacent to critical areas of the WRIA have
a current farm plan. Farm plans should consider seasonal restrictions on animal pastures to protect
streams and floodplains from manure. It also recommends that local conservation districts seek
funding to 1) prepare farm plans, 2) provide financial assistance to help landowners implement
agricultural best management-practices, and 3) evaluate how effectively the farm plans and best
management practices are being implemented.
Mason County-- Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
As written, the WRIA 16 Plan reads as a precursor to VSP and as such fully supports the Program's
goals. The Plan's recommendations can be mirrored as a countywide strategy of best management
practices targeted toward real problems areas. Having an established foundation of needs can
facilitate the Work Plan's focus and future monitoring. However, the Plan has no schedule of
activities and no established funding source to implement any of the recommendations made within it.
This Plan does offer interest strategies for watershed planning, however would not provide a
foundation from which VSP could build.
Figure 33 WRIA 16 Skokomish Dosewallips Map
_ I
O"w NBb"Fwm I
L -
Duckabas6 I
Oo v-p,c N ,onal N-k
Hamma Manru
«a
01
'r
f
l
1
41%41 �
Source:WA Department of Ecology
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HOOD CANAL INTEGRATED WATERSHED PLAN, MAY 2014 IThe Hood Canal Coordinating
Council (HCCC) partnered with a diverse array of organizations, agencies, and individuals to initiate
the development of The Hood Canal Integrated Watershed Plan (IWP). The IWP was intended to
be a comprehensive strategic framework for advancing a shared regional vision by integrating the full
range of existing and future natural resource management efforts across all relevant jurisdictions. The
scope of this document was scaled down from its original intent to something more feasible. The
2014 IWP was intended to (a) establish five-year strategic priorities for the HCCC to implement and
guide regional actions towards the Vision and (b) establish a framework for accountability of strategy
implementation, identification of strategic gaps, and continuous evaluation and adaptive management.
The overall vision of the IWP is "humans benefit from and coexist sustainably with a healthy Hood
Canal". Achieving that vision is focused on a sub-set of focal components, pressures, and strategies.
There are five local components: shellfish, commercial shellfish harvesting, forests, forestry, and
salmon, and the primary pressures impacting them are development, transportation corridors, climate
change and ocean acidification, and wastewater discharges and stormwater runoff. The plan outlines
a series of strategies to address these pressures and how to improve or reduce their impacts on the
focal components over a period of several months to several years. The strategies, targeting the
HCCC as well as other regional entities, include changes to policies and regulations; ecological
restoration, remediation, or enhancement efforts; and outreach, education and communication.
The IWP is a five-year plan with goals for annual monitoring reports and website interaction.
Some commonalities exist between this Plan and the VSP goals, and building a relationship with this
group would be overall
beneficial. However, placing
a large emphasis on the
strategies within this plan willN�r.<. Hood Canal Coordinating Council
likely not boost Mason
County VSP efforts.
HOOD CANAL COORDINATING COUNCIL'S HOOD CANAL REGIONAL POLLUTION
IDENTIFICATION AND CORRECTION, ANIMAL WASTE POLLUTION SOURCE
IDENTIFICATION STRATEGY, MARCH 2014 1 Agricultural animals, livestock, pets and wildlife are
all valuable economic or recreational resources in Washington State. Agriculture is a cornerstone of
Washington State's economy, and Mason County has an annual market value of more than $40,000,000
in crops and livestock sales. There were approximately 377 farms in the County in 2012 with
livestock sales representing 94% of the total market value. This means that there were
approximately 5,000 cattle, hogs, sheep, and poultry covering approximately 24,000 acres of farmland
in Mason County and generating hundreds of thousands of pounds of animal waste. Animal fecal
waste is a public health risk as it can contain pathogenic bacteria and viruses that cause human
diseases. Livestock and agricultural waste pathogens include Campylobacter spp., Cryptosporidium
parvum, Listeria spp., Salmonella spp., and Escherichia coli. Water Pollution and Pathogens Fecal
pollution of surface waters is caused by human and animal waste discharged or leaked to the ground or
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surface waters. During rain events, flowing surface water picks up pollutants like fecal waste, and
quickly transports them to streams, bays, beaches and lakes.
Animal waste in the Hood Canal Action Area is primarily a non-point pollutant because it comes
from many sources instead of a single point source. Non-point pollution is best addressed through
effective public education and outreach that increases awareness about Puget Sound pollution and
motivates residents to adopt new behaviors that prevent pollution from entering surface and
stormwater. Washington State has been clear that agricultural activity AND water quality are both
state priorities. This agricultural waste strategy is being developed to respond to this clear and
compelling state guidance. Portions of that strategy include,
• The Puget Sound Partnership's on-line resource center has a section on reducing pollution
from human and animal waste that includes runoff from farms with livestock.
• The Washington Conservation Commission is working with local conservation districts to
complete hundreds of conservation plans and install practices to prevent pollution.
• WSU Extension's website has a link to Livestock Management and Water Quality, a
publication that provides livestock owners and managers with techniques to address water
quality problems. They are developing a unique Small Farms Program to address Mason
County food and farm issues. The program focuses on teaching and implementing site—specific,
best available science approaches that builds a vibrant and sustainable agriculture industry that
is integrated with natural resource conservation efforts.
• Conservation districts encourage landowners to incorporate best management practices
(BMPs) that increase farm productivity and protect water quality. They provide free technical
assistance to agricultural landowners, supporting farmers as they implement practices to
protect water quality. Services include site visits, farm planning, manure management guidance,
and designing small-scale to engineered waste storage and compost structures. When possible,
cost-share funds are provided to assist landowners to implement eligible manure management
practices; and assist livestock owners with appropriate, site- and watershed-specific livestock
management strategies through farm planning, technical assistance and facilitating available
BMP cost-share implementation opportunities to prevent pathogen and nutrient pollution from
manure and mud runoff.
Successful education and outreach programs prevent pollution by developing approaches that result in
measurable adoption of specific behaviors. The social marketing process uses marketing principles
and techniques to influence public behaviors and has been used effectively to protect and improve
Puget Sound water quality.
The HCCC's Strategy is a clear framework that supports the VSP efforts toward water quality and
pollution prevention with respect to animal waste. This aligns with BMPs currently promoted and
practiced by the District for waste management, and the strategies run parallel to those incorporated
into the Work Plan. Working with the HCCC will further improve the overall success of the Program
through a consolidation of outreach efforts.
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APPENDIX 3 SWOT ANALYSIS
G
U
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SWOT ANALYSIS
EARLY in the process the Work Group did a SWOTS' analysis exercise. This exercise looks at
those factors within and outside of the County that impact the future viability of agriculture and
reduce the conversion of farmland to other uses. Individual group members completed a four-part
worksheet and provided the following responses to each category:
STRENGTHS within our county WEAKNESSES dip our county
that could enhance the future that might hinder the future
viability of agriculture viability of agriculture
OPPORTUNITES from outside our THREATS from outside our
county that could enhance the county that might hinder the
future viability of agriculture future viability of agriculture
STRENGTHS
• Ag science classes being taught in school
• Moving Mason Forward program to have a collective and collaborative impact on making a
healthy environment
• Local markets are strong for local produced goods— location dependent
• State and local elected officials who are pro-agriculture
• Mason Conservation District and WSU Extension Office provide a robust series of programs
with highly qualified and educated staff for technical assistance
• Affordable land costs
• Workforce development programs
• HOPE— school and community gardens
• Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is an excellent resource
• Strong community; sense of family
• Good professionals available
WEAKNESSES
• No livestock/cattle auction
81 SWOT analysis is an initiolism for Strengths, Weaknesses,Opportunities,and Threats—and is a structured planning method that evaluates those
four elements of a project or business venture.A SWOT analysis can be carried out for a product,place,industry,or person. Source:Wikipedia>wiki
SWOT analysis
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• No processing or cold storage facilities
• Youth culture is disinterested in, or disengaged from, farming activities
• No focus on early education; employing youth raises safety concerns and employer liabilities
• Transportation costs of operation
• Non-agricultural political influences
• No staffing capacity
• Lack of local support—fairs, 4-H, etc.
• Lack of financing and working capital; assistance not available due to financial constraints
• There is no integration of common interests between agriculture and aquiculture
• Topography
• Amount of publically owned land
• Lack of nurseries, lack of marketing
OPPORTUNITIES
• Technology; improved communications
• Create a dialogue of common interests between agriculture and aquiculture
• Demand in the aquaculture market
• Pacific Mountain Private Industry Council — programs for employment in Mason County
• HOPE Gardens
• USDA Food and Nutrition programs to assemble wellness programs; Farm to Table, Farm to
School
• Collaborate with Enterprise for Equity, making connections
• Utilize educational institutions—create internships for students to work on farms
• South Sound Food System Network — assist in attracting processors, people interested in
sustainability
• Farm to Table
• Economic Development Council Strategic Plan for Agro-Tourism
• Multi-purpose/-use lands
THREATS
• State legislature's reductions on small farm tax exemptions
• Climate change
• Aging operators—losing people to work or take over farms
• Increase in number of restrictions for the transportation of livestock
• Water allocation and availability issues
• Non-Agricultural political influence—Waters of the United States
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APPENDIX 4 REGULATORY CONTEXT
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^� REGULATORY CONTEXT
THE VSP does not "limit the authority of a state agency, local government, or landowner to carry
out its obligations under any other federal, state, or local law." (RCW 36.70A.702(5)) Outside of the
Critical Areas Ordinance, all applicable local development regulations (for example, County's Buildings
and Construction Code) still apply.
As with local regulations, all state and federal regulations still apply under the VSP. Indeed, one
objective of the VSP is to "improve compliance with other laws designed to protect water quality
and fish habitat." (RCW 36.70A.700(2)(0) Voluntary enhancements under the VSP can also support
agricultural viability by reducing regulatory risks and increasing regulatory certainty for agricultural
operators.
Mason County enrolled the entirety of the unincorporated areas in the VSP in 2012. So long as the
County participates in the VSP, regulatory requirements under the County's Critical Areas Section of
the Resource Management Ordinance (Chapter 8.52 MCC82) will not apply to "agricultural activities."
Participation in the VSP is defined as developing and implementing an approved work plan that
protects critical areas and maintains agricultural viability under the timeline established by the state.
The Growth Management Act (GMA) (RCW 36.70A) refers to the Shoreline Management Act (RCW
90.58) for the definition of"agricultural activities".
CRITICAL AREAS ORDINANCE
The VSP applies only where critical areas and agricultural activities overlap in unincorporated areas of
the County. Critical areas are defined under the GMA and include fish and wildlife habitat
conservation areas, wetlands, frequently flooded areas, geologically hazardous areas (landslide,
seismic, and erosion hazards), and areas with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable
water (critical aquifer recharge areas).
The approach to developing and implementing the VSP differs from the regulatory approach to
protecting critical areas under the Resource Ordinance. Key differences between the Resource
Ordinance and VSP are highlighted below:
82 Mason County Code
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RESOURCEORDINANCE VOLUNTARY
PROGRAM
Approach Protection regulatory Voluntary participation in individual
provisions, such as buffers, and stewardship plans
enforcement
Protection Preserve the functions and Prevent the degradation of functions
Standard values of the natural and values existing as of July 22, 2011
environment, or safeguard the (RCW 36.70A.703(8))
public from hazards to health
and Safety (WAC 365-196-830)
Scale Site-by-Site Basis Collective, watershed basis
Monitoring None required Monitoring required demonstrating
that objective benchmarks are critical
area protection are met. Progress
reports are submitted every five
years to demonstrate progress.
Adaptive Periodic updates to the Adaptive management required if
Management Resource Ordinance are measurable benchmarks are not met.
required based on best
available science
Responsible Mason County VSP Watershed Work Group and
Party(ies) Washington Conservation
Commission
Other County, Continue to apply Continue to apply
State, and
Federal
Regulations
Table 30 Differences between VSP and Resource Ordinance
Although the critical areas provisions do not apply under the VSP, the remaining sections of the
Resource Ordinance and Agricultural Resource Lands Chapter (Section 8.52.061 MCC) continue to
apply.
Section 8.52.061 MCC, Agricultural Resource Lands, designates Mason County Agricultural Resource
Lands Agricultural Lands of Long-Term Commercial Significance and Open Space Agricultural
Property. These lands may not be converted to non-agricultural uses. The zoning ordinance (Chapter
17.03 MCC) provisions establish required building setbacks for lands adjacent to designated
agricultural lands. These setbacks are intended to prevent potential constraints on agricultural
practices imposed by adjacent incompatible uses. These provisions continue to apply.
SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM
The Mason County Shoreline Master Program (SMP) has jurisdiction over shorelines of the state
as defined therein. Within that jurisdiction (at minimum, within 200 feet of the ordinary high water
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mark of "shorelines of the state"), both the local county SMP and VSP will apply. SMP regulations do
not change with a VSP, and apply the same as before. A local VSP work plan does not replace the
shoreline regulations of an SMP. VSP work plans identify voluntary practices to promote existing
agricultural activities while protecting critical areas, as an alternative to a regulatory approach. All
existing regulations, including SMPs and water quality regulations (e.g. Clean Water Act), still apply.
Voluntary measures to improve existing and ongoing farm practices are welcome, whether they
apply to land-based agriculture or aquaculture. However, under the Shoreline Management Act,
aquaculture is not agriculture, and there are specific regulations and permit requirements that will
continue to apply.8'
.,.
,.,.Hope Island Marine "
Source:www.parks.state.wa.us
83 WAC 173-26-241(3)(b)
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APPENDIX 5 FARMS AND CROPS
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FARMS, CROPS AND AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY
THE National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) publishes the Census of Agriculture every five years.
It is the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every State and county or
county equivalent. Census of agriculture data are routinely used by farm organizations,
businesses, State departments of agriculture, elected representatives and legislative bodies at
all levels of government,public and private sector analysts, the news media, and colleges and
universities.8;
FARMS
The census provides a snapshot view of agriculture
as reported by farms and ranches throughout the .!"VJ'
s q hl
United States, and here in Mason County. The f
definition of a farm is where the road divides, so to `_ ., -.Jab
r
speak, in this analysis. The census information is ' At
based on farms as defined by the USDA. "The
census definition of a farm is any place from which .# +� • ;,e*�,,_
$1,000 or more of agricultural products were �` }4 ar �- •, �`"' �t
produced and sold, or normally would have been
sold, during the census year."as This is quite `fit ?'� ''` 'i..
different from how the County gathers data on
agriculture, and why the analysis will vary. The
census data on farms will provide specifics on a farm
and farm operator level, while the agricultural lands information from the County will be less defined
and categorized more broadly.
The farm data collected for this baseline evaluation is from the 2012 Census of Agriculture, with
comparisons to the 2007. The reason for the additional information is to show trends as well as the
current condition. The County covers approximately 614,056 acres, depending on the source of
the information. Utilizing the USDA's Census, of that total just under 4% of those acres are
farms. Close to the same percentage as the 2007 data no matter which total land acreage you
calculate from.
&4USDA NASS,2012 Census of Agriculture,Ag Census Web Maps
85USDA NASS 2012 Census of Agriculture,Introduction
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Table 31 Total Farm as Percent Total Land, 2007-2012
Agricultural activity 2012 i A;.
Land Area—acres 614,056 615,017 0%
Land Area— Farm acres 23,743 25,185 -6%
Percent of Acreage as Farms 3.9% 4.1% -5%
Conservation Lands— Farms 3 5 -50%
Conservation Lands—acres 137 86 59%
Conservation Farm Land describes the number of farms that have land enrolled in Conservation
Reserve, Wetlands Reserve, Farmable Wetlands or Conservation Reserve Enhancement Programs.
There are 50% fewer farms in 2012 with conservation land than there were in 2007; however, there is
nearly 60% more acres enrolled in conservation programs.
At first blush the next table shows a decline in almost every farm category. However, a closer look
at the first two items — farms and farm acres — indicates that while there are 20% fewer farms in
Mason County in 2012 than in 2007, the acreage only decreased by 6%. This could imply that there
may be fewer farms, but the size of those farms have increased or that many farms in 2007 that did
not stay farms in 2012 were smaller in acreage having less impact on the overall decrease in total farm
acres. What the above table ultimately reveals is that farms between 10 and 500 acres — mid size
farms — have drastically disappeared while the very small and the very large farms have survived and
even increased in numbers.
Table 32 Number Of Farms By Acreage, 2007-2012
Agricultural Activity 2012 2007 %A : The market value of farm products sold
Farms 377 471 -20% over the past several years falls in line
Farm Acres 23,743 25,185 -6% with the decreasing statistics of
Average Farm Acreage 63 53 190%
Farms I to 9 acres 159 149 7% agriculture across the board so far. The
Farms 10-49 acres 157 227 -31% USDA classifies farms by gross sales, and
Farms 50 to 179 acres 45 70 -36% from that we can look at another way to
Farms 180 to 499 9 19 -53% visualize farming in Mason County. Small
Farms 500 to 999 4 4 0% family farms are those defined as having
Farms 1,000 acres or more 3 2 50% gross annual sales less than $250,000. In
2012, 361 out of 377 farms were classified
as small; this is 96% of all farms in Mason County. Of the remaining, only 13 farms grossed more
than $500,000 annually. This is an 18% increase in larger commercial family farms since 2007, and
a 23% increase in sales. The only other notable increase was in farms with annual gross sales of
between $20,000 and $25,000, and between $100,000 and $250.000. There is no immediately apparent
explanation for this limited improvement.
86%d=percent delta or percent"change in"
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Table 33 Number of Farms by Market Value, 2007-2012
FARMS BY MARKET 2012 2007 '/. A
Less Than $I 700 144 177 -19%
Value Of Sales $27,000 $28,000 -4%
$1,000 - $2,499 54 70 -23%
Value Of Sales $89,000 $115,000 -23%
$2,500 - $4,999 47 55 -15%
Value Of Sales $169,000 $196,000 -14%
$5,000 - $9,999 39 52 -25%
Value Of Sales $264,000 $356,000 -26%
$10,000 - $19,999 26 34 -24%
Value Of Sales $337,000 $462,000 -27%
$20,000 - $24,999 12 8 50%
Value Of Sales $264,000 $176,000 50%
$25,000 - $39,999 9 13 _ -31%
Value Of Sales $280,000 $406,000 -31%
$40,000 - $49,999 3 12 -75%
Value Of Sales $130,000 $525,000 -75%
$50,000 - $99,999 10 15 -33%
Value Of Sales $693,000 $944,000 -27%
$100,000 - $249,999 17 15 13%
Value Of Sales $2,803,000 $2,144,000 31%
$250,000 - $499,999 3 9 -67%
Value Of Sales $1,081,000 $3,369,000 -68%
$500,000 Or More 13 1 1 18%
Value Of Sales $34,665,000 $28,243,000 23%
Croplands and Livestock/Poultry Farms are a subset of farms in the Census and more narrowly
defined. Total croplands - harvested or not - have declined as well since 2007 at similar rates to
farms in general. Livestock also shows a decline with the exception of poultry which appears to be
holding steady if not slightly increasing.
87 USDA NASS,2012 Census of Agriculture,2012 Census Volume 1, Chapter 2:County Level Data
Mason County- Voluntary Stewardship Program
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Table 34 Crops and Livestock Numbers and Values, 2007-2012
• . •..
Croplands- Farms 180 233 -23%
Livestock: Cattle, Hogs, Sheep - Farms 144 208 -31%
Livestock: Poultry- Farms 101 99 2%
Market Value - Crops $2,513,000 $1,606,000 56%
Market Value- Livestock, Poultry, etc. $38,296,000 $35,357,000 8%
Market Value of Products - Total $40,809,000 $36,963,000 10%
Another interesting notation of these farm statistics, similar to that of overall farm increase in farm
size, is that while the number of farms in Mason County is shrinking, the profits are growing. There
has been an increase of 10% in total market value of agricultural products between 2007 and 2012.
Table 35 Farm Operators, 2007-2012
• •.
_..., .,. ... Panning in a different farm
Farm Operators 635 794 -20%
Farm Operator's Primary Occupation 153 165 -7��direction, the census data
Farm Operator's Not Primary Occupation 224 306 -27% also looks at patterns in
5 2 Years on Present Farm 14 18 -22 farm operators and
3-4 Years on Present Farm 17 40 _5g% operations. In 2012 there
5-9 Years on Present Farm 70 88 -20% were 635 farm operators
>_Years on Present Farm 276 325 -15% in the County for 377
Average Years on Present Farm 18.2 18.1 1% farms. Most farms have
Under 25 Years of Age 4 0 - 400% one (178) or two (159)
25-34 Years of Age 25 12 108% operators; there were
35-44 Years of Age 24 61 -61% four farms that actually
45-54 Years of Age 61 143 -57% had five or more
55-59 Years of Age 52 86 -40% operators.
60-64 Years of Age 67 49 37%
65-69 Years of Age 80 46 74% The number of farm
- - "
>_ 70 Years of Age 64 74 -14% operators has decreased
Average Age 58.9 56.8 4% from 794 in 2007. This
Internet Access__ 300 325 -80//0 follows suit with the
decrease in farms almost
exactly - 20%. The same distribution of farms to farms operators hasn't deviated much from 2007
to 2012, with the majority of farms having only one or two operators.
Farm operation as a primary occupation applied to 153 of the total in 2012, a
decrease of 7% over the prior five years. The decrease in farm operation as
something other than a primary occupation took a far greater decrease of nearly
30% during that same time frame. Farms with operators being present for a
period of four or fewer years have substantially decreased, with the least amount
of change in those operators present more than ten years. The average number
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of years has remained constant, however, at just about 18 years. The highest degree of change can be
seen in the age of farm operators. In 2007 there were very few operators under the age of 35; now,
however, this age group has increased by more than 400%. The decrease in age groups has
impacted the mid-age range with about 60% fewer operators between the ages of 35 and 59. The
trend takes another upturn with the over 60 age group increasingly becoming operators by 37% to
74%. The average age of an operator is closer now to 60 than 50 as it was in 2007. This shows
farming an as occupation for the younger families just starting out, and the retirees starting on a second
career.
As an aside point of interest, there are 8% fewer farms that have internet access in 2012 than 2007.
This is the opposite of what one might expect considering the direction of technology; however it
may in fact be a reflection of an older generation at the helm.
CROPS
Not only has the size and number of farms changed over the past five years, but the pattern continues
in a similar fashion with the amount and types of crops and livestock. Overall the number of cattle
farms has decreased by nearly 40%, while the number of cattle has increased by 11%. This mirrors
some of the same trends seen in earlier discussions. The amount of farms decreasing leaving the
remaining farmers challenged to meet product demands. The number of beef cattle farms has also
decreased 40% since 2007 and the number of beef cattle by 30%. Dairy, or milk, cattle farms have
increased substantially by 83%. Interestingly however, with the addition of dairy farms, the number of
milk cattle decreased by more than 50%. Although not to the same degree, the same reductions in
both farms and livestock can be seen in hogs, pigs, sheep, and Iambs. Mason County has a variety of
other kinds of livestock including horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, alpacas, llamas, rabbits and poultry.
Poultry farms have slightly increased ... 2% ... with the number of poultry actually decreasing by 37%,
same as with the milk cattle.
Table 36 Number Of Crop And Livestock Farms, 2007-2012
CROPS • i
20072012 00
Cattle and Calves 90 148 -39% 2218 2002 11%
Beef 65 108 -40% 791 1133 -30%
Milk 11 6 83% 21 43 -51%
Hogs and Pigs 17 23 -26% 62 98 -37%
Sheep and Lambs 37 46 -20% 315 538 -41%
Goats 42 275
Milk 16 89
Angora 0 0
Meat 31 186
Horses and Ponies 97 466
Mules, Burros and Donkeys 12 33
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CROPS • • LIVESTOCK
2012 2007 201200
Poultry 102 100 2% 2846 4495 -37%
Alpaca 17 204
Llamas 16 40
Rabbits, Live 12 45
Other Livestock 3
Source: USDA Census of Agriculture
There are also a variety of other types of poultry in the County, the numbers and locations of which
are withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual farms. These include chukars (partridge), ducks,
emus, geese, peacocks,
2012 Farm Land Use Percentages quail and roosters.
There are not many
crops in Mason County,
and what is here is
12% relatively small
w Cropland compared to some of
15% Woodland State's eastern
counties. These pie
Pasture
charts illustrate the
Other uses percentage of land
53% used as cropland verses
other farm uses.
2007 Farm Land Use Percentages
14%
■Cropland
�9% Woodland
Pasture
Other uses
43"
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According to the USDA's Census of Agriculture88, cropland
...includes cropland harvested, other pasture and grazing land that could have been used for
crops without additional improvements, cropland on which all crops failed or were
abandoned, cropland in cultivated summer fallow, and cropland idle or used for cover crops
or soil improvement but not harvested and not pastured or grazed.
Conversely, woodland, which comprises the majority of Mason County's farm use, is categorized to
include
...natural or planted woodlots or timber tracts, cutover and deforested land with young
growth which has or will have value for wood products and woodland pastured.Land covered
by sagebrush or mesquite was reported as Permanent pastureland and rangeland or other
land. Land planted for Christmas tree production and short rotation woody crops was
reported in Cropland harvested, and land in tapped maple trees was reported as Woodland
not pastured.8g
The ratios of land use make sense when considering the types of crops and agricultural products are
grown here. The majority of what is grown in Mason County is hay, with 65 forage farms in 2012 — a
16% increase since 2007. The second largest crop, excluding Christmas trees, is berries increasing 9%
over the past five years. Mason County is also the 2"d largest production of cut Christmas Trees and
short rotation woody crops in the State, and the 3rd largest cut flowers and florist greens.90 Snap
beans made an impressive 175% increase from eight farms to 22. Large increases are also seen in
broccoli, cabbage, carrots, onions, pumpkins, squash, sweet corn and tomatoes. Sharp declines have
also occurred leaving some products no longer farmed in Mason County — asparagus, corn, eggplant,
lettuce, mustard greens, and fresh cut herbs. There are also a number of orchards in the County,
although about 30% less than in 2007. Apples, sweet and tart cherries, grapes, pears, and plums are all
grown here.
Table 37 Types and Size of Crops, 2007-2012
Crops
2012 2007ii
Forage (hay) 65 56 16% 2474 2063 20%
Vegetables 28 28 0 88 83 6
Asparagus 0 4 -100 1 -100
Corn 0 4 -100 5 -100
Snap Beans _ 22 8 175 5 3 67
Beets 6 6 0 1 1 0
Broccoli 4 1 300 0.5
as USDA NASS,2012 Census of Agriculture,2012 Census Volume 1,Chapter 2:County Level Data
89 USDA NASS,2012 Census of Agriculture,2012 Census Volume I,Chapter 2:County Level Data.Available at
www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2O/2/Fu//—Report/Volume—1,_Chapter_2_County_Level/Washington
90 USDA NASS,2012 Census of Agriculture,2012 Census Volume I,Chapter 2:County Level Data.Available at
www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2012/Fu/l_Report/Volume_l,_Chapter_2_County_Leve//Washington
Mason County-- Voluntary Stewardship Program
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• • Farms Acres %A
z 1 11 A 201211
Cabbage 2 1 100
Carrots 15 6 150 3 1 200
Cucumbers & Pickles 14 12 17 2 4 -50
Eggplant 0 2 -100
Garlic 2 3 -33
Herbs, fresh cut 0 6 -33
Lettuce _ 0 5 -100 1 -100
Mustard greens 0 1 -100
Onions _ 11 3 267 2 0.5 300
Peas, green 11 5 120 1 1 0
Peppers, Bell 1 3 -67
Potatoes 10 14 -29 2 2 0
Pumpkins 10 8 25
Squash 4 3 33 2
Sweet corn 17 9 89 43 45 -4
Tomatoes 14 12 17 1 2 -50
Other vegetables 6 9 -33 4 5 -20
Orchards 21 31 -32 19 54 -65
Apples 15 5
Sweet cherries 9 4
Tart cherries 3 1
Grapes 14 7
Pears 7 2
Plums-& prunes 4 1
Berries 25 23 9 12 9 33
Blackberries & dewberries 8 2
Blueberries, tame 15 _ 6
Currents
Raspberries, red 8 2
Strawberries 5 1
Other berries 2
Aquatic plants 0 2 -100
Bulbs, corms, rhizomes, and 2 2 0
tubers
Cuttings, seedlings, liners, and 0 1 -100
Plug
Floriculture & bedding crops 16 18 -11 178 116 53
Bedding/garden plants 7 8 -13 1 -100
Cut flowers & cut florist 10 16 -38 176 115 53
greens
Foliage plants, indoor 2 I 100
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page ( 166
WORK PLAN
Crops .6 Acres %A
2012 20071 11
Potted flowering plants 4 1 300
Greenhouse vegetables and 3 1 200
herbs _
Greenhouse tomatoes 2 1 100
Mushrooms 0 1 -100
Nursery stock crops 10 19 -47 10 31 -68
Vegetable seeds 1 -100
Vegetable transplants I 1 0
Cut Christmas trees 40 50 -20 1026 934 10
Short rotation woody crops 6 5 20 23 62 -63
While shorelands are not subject to the VSP and therefore aquaculture is not included in these
statistics, it is remarkable to note that Mason County is I S` in the state and 5`h in the nation for
production.
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 167
WORK PLAN
APPENDIX 6 GOALS , BENCHMARKS ,
MONITORING , AND ADAPTIVE
MANAGEMENTS
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 168
WORK PLAN
Table 38 Goals I And 2,Benchmarks and Adaptive Management
• —PROTECT
•
FUNCTIONSCRITICAL AREA
TOTALON CRITICAL AREA AGRICULTURE JULY t FUNCTION IMPLEMENTATION •
VOLUNTARY,&CRITICAL BASELINE LANDS AT A VALUES THROUGH PRACTICES BASELINECRITICAL
WRIA AREA JULY 2011 ACRES OF
AREA BASELINE CRITICAL AS THEY EXISTED INCENTIVE-BASED
INTERFACE AREAIN AS OF t
WRIA TRIGGER
BENCHMARKS (MONITORING
OGRAMACTIONS
Protection,Enhancement and Participation PR —
APPENDIX 7)
Determine reasons
Kennedy Brush Management 53 Acres for reduced BMPs
Goldsborough 1,806 36,703 and options for
WIRA 14 reinstatements
5%annual increase of Heavy Use 24 Units
BMP implementation Protection Area Meet with District
Maintain baseline acreage Staff to determine
of Agriculture and (based on averaged if lack of available
Critical Area Interface annual implementation Herbaceous Weed <
over 5-year period of 5%annual increase funding is
each BMP through the Control in BMP preventing BMP
Kitsap 244 4,004 Maintain BMP g implementation
WRIA 15 Implementation County) implementation
Nutrient
Critical Increase annual number 83 acres <7 completed Determine if
Maintain 7.5 farm Tans Management
Aquifer P of Farm Plans(Individual ISPs/year landowners in
Recharge per year these areas are not
g Stewardship Plans)to 16
Areas Restoration of < 15 ISP Checklists receiving outreach
Skokomish
Maintain outreach to all Increase annual Rare Communities 24 acres receive/year information
Dosewoperators annually
llips 1,469 11,255 operator participation
WRIA Outreach methods Meet with other
WRIA 16 Return rate of 15 ISP levels by 50% Tree Shrub not reaching all technical
Checklists per year Return rate of 23 ISP Establishment 132 acres operators assistance
Checklists per year providers to
ascertain level of
Composting
7 units landowner interest
Lower Facility and possible
Chehalis 735 69,122 roadblocks
WRIA 22
Prescribed Grazing 20 acres Re-evaluate
benchmarks
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 169
WORK PLAN
• , —PROTECT
FUNCTIONSCRITICAL AREA ENHANCE
• CRITICAL AREA
TOTALVALUES ONFUNCTION AND BEST JULY1
11 BMP
AGRICULTURE JULY 2011 AGRICULTURAL VALUES THROUGH MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATIONADAPTIVE
CRITICAL &CRITICA •
t1 ACRES • WATERSHED LEVEL
•
BASELINE CRITICAL AS THEY •
MEASURES
INTERFACE AREAIN AS OF 1
WRIA TRIGGER
BENCHMARKS (MONITORING
ACTIONS
Protection,Enhancement and Participation PROGRAM—
APPENDIX
Locate area(s)of
5%annual increase of Fence 22,383 feet change and follow
BMP implementation up with
Kennedy P landowners to
Goldsborough 1,169 28,353 (based on averaged determine
WIRA 14 annual implementation
over 5-year period of An changes in contributing
Y P Nutrient 83 acres y g factors
each BMP through the Management interface(future
County,not all BMPs years monitoring will
have been implemented determine how much Determine reasons
in recent past) change will warrant for reduced
Maintain baseline acreage and optionss for for
Restoration of adaptive ve
aap
of Agriculture and agricultural and Rate Communities 24 acres reinstatements
Reduce aricu
Critical Area Interface g management)
Kitsap 162 8,454 Maintain BMP flood area interface to Meet with District
Frequently
WRIA 15 less than 2011 baseline <5%annual increase
Implementation Staff to determine
P by maintaining and in BMP
Flooded Maintain 7.5 farm plans if lack of available
reconfiguring Filter Strip implementation
Areas per year funding is
Maintain outreach to all agricultural activities preventing BMP
operators annually away from those areas <7 completed implementation
Return rate of 15 ISP ISPs/year
Checklists per year Increase annual number Stormw Runoff Determine if
Skokomish of Farm Plans(Individual Control < 15 ISP Checklists
Stewardship Plans)to 16 receive/year landowners in
Dosewallips 1,537 16,702 these areas are not
WRIA 16 Increase annual Outreach methods receiving outreach
operator participation Dikes not reaching all information
levels by 50% operators
Meet with other
Return rate of 23 ISP technical
Lower Checklists per year assistance
Chehalis 180 6,026 Dam,Division 499 feet providers to
WRIA 22 ascertain level of
landowner interest
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 170
WORK PLAN
GOAL I -PROTECT
FUNCTIONSCRITICAL AREA ENHANCE
• CRITICAL AREA
TOTAL VALUES ON
AGRICULTURE JULY 2011 AGRICULTURAL VALUES THROUGH MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATIONADAPTIVE
LANDSCRITICAL &CRITICAL BASELINE
PRACTICES BASELINE
AREA WRIA AREA JULY 2011 ACRES • • INCENTIVE-BASED
EXISTEDBASELINE CRITICAL AS THEY MEASURES
INTERFACE AREAIN AS OF
WRIA
TRIGGER
BENCHMARKS (MONITORING
PROGRAM-
APPENDIXProtection,Enhancement and Participation
and possible
Channel roadblocks
Stabilization Re-evaluate
benchmarks
5%annual increase of Locate area(s)of
BMP implementation Fence 22,383 feet change and follow
Kennedy (based on averaged Any changes in up with
Goldsborough 572 27,207 annual implementation interface(future landowners to
WIRA 14 each BMP throw
over 5-year period of
h the years monitoring will determine
Maintain baseline acreage g determine how much contributing
of Agriculture and County) Access Control 10 acres change will warrant factors
Critical Area Interface Reduce agricultural and adaptive
g Determine reasons
Maintain BMP "Wetland interface to less
management) for reduced BMPs
than 2011 baseline by: and options for
Implementation Filter Strip <5%annual increase p
(I)maintaining and P reinstatements
reconfiguring
in BMP
Wetlands Kitsap 141 6,960 Maintain 7.5 farm plans Implementation
WRIA 15 per year agricultural activities Meet with District
away from wetland Staff to determine
Maintain outreach to all areas; <7 completed or(2)restoring Watering Facility ISPs/year if lack of available
operators annually g
and enhancing wetlands funding is
in or near agricultural < 15 ISP Checklists Preventing BMP
activity utilizing wetland implementation
Return rate of I S ISP sensitive BMPs receive/year
Checklists per year Composting 3 units
Skokomish Increase annual number Facility Outreach methods Determine if
not reaching all landowners in
Dosewallips 446 13,916 of Farm Plans(Individual _._ __._.._ these areas are not
WRIA 16 Stewardshipoperators
Plans)to 16 receiving outreach j
Waste Storage 5 units information
Increase annual Structure
operator participation Meet with other
Mason County-Voluntary Stewardship Progrom
Page 1171
WORK PLAN
• —PROTECT
FUNCTIONSCRITICAL AREA ENHANCE
TOTALVALUES ONFUBEST NCTION201 1 BMP
AGRICULTURE JULY 2011 AGRICULTURAL VALUES THROUGH MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATION
VOLUNTARY,&CRITICAL BASELINE LANDS AT A PRACTICES BASELINECRITICAL
WRIA AREA JULY 2011 ACRES OF
AREA INCENTIVE-BASED
BASELINE CRITICAL AS THEY EXISTED
MEASURES
INTERFACE AREAIN AS OF t
WRIA TRIGGER
BENCHMARKS (MONITORING
ACTIONS
PROGRAM—
APPENDIXProtection,Enhancement and Participation
levels by 50% technical
Return rate of 23 ISP Wetland Wildlife assistance
Checklists per year Habitat 2.5 acres providers to
Lower Management ascertain level of
Chehalis 49 6,567 landowner interest
WRIA 22
and possible
Prescribed Grazing 20 acres roadblocks
Re-evaluate
benchmarks
5%annual increase of Locate area(s)of
Maintain baseline acreage BMP implementation Brush Management 53 acres Any changes in change and follow
of Agriculture and (based on averaged interface(future up with
Kennedy annual implementation years monitoring will landowners to
Goldsborough 59 g l77 Critical Area Interface over 5-year period of determine how much determine
WIRA 14 each BMP through the change will warrant contributing
Maintain BMP
Implementation County) Conservation I acres adaptive factors
Cover management)
Erosion Reduce agricultural and <5%annual increase Determine reasons
Hazards Maintain 7.5 farm plans erosion hazard area - in BMP for reduced BMPs
Areas per year interface to less than implementation and options for
2011 baseline by:(1) <7 completed reinstatements
Maintain outreach all maintaining and Prescribed Grazing 20 acres ISPs/year
Kiup a operators annually reconfiguring < 15 ISP Checklists Meet with District
051
WRIA 15 7 7, Return rate of 15 ISP agricultural activities receive/year Staff to determine
Checklists per year away from erosion Outreach methods if lack of available
areas;or(2)utilizing Heavy Use 24 units not reaching all funding is
BMPs specific to erosion Protection Area operators preventing BMP
areas implementation
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 172
WORK PLAN
• • —PROTECT
FUNCTIONSCRITICAL AREA
► ENHANCE
TOTALCRITICAL AREA
ON
IMPLEMENTATIONAGRICULTURE JULY 2011 AGRICULTURAL VALUES THROUGH MANAGEMENT ►
LANDSCRITICAL &CRITICAL BASELINE VOLUNTARY,
AREA WRIA AREA JULY 201 1 ACRES OF WATERSHED LEVEL ►
BASELINE CRITICAL AS THEY EXISTED MEASURES
INTERFACE AREAIN AS OF t
WRIA TRIGGER
BENCHMARKS (MONITORING
ACTIONS
PROGRAM—
APPENDIXProtection,Enhancement and Participation
Increase annual number Determine if
of Farm Plans(Individual Field Border landowners in
Skokomish Stewardship Plans)to 16 these areas are not
Dosewallips 42 1.559 _ receiving outreach
WRIA 16 Increase annual information
operator participation Roof Runoff
levels by 50% Structure 26 units Meet with other
technical
Return rate of 23 ISP assistance
Checklists per year providers to
ascertain level of
Diversion 499 feet landowner interest
Lower and possible
Chehalis 0.4 69 roadblocks
WRIA 22
Re-evaluate
Mulching 7 acres benchmarks
Maintain baseline acreage 5%annual increase of Any changes in Locate area(s)of
Fish and of Agriculture and BMP implementation Fencing 22,383 feet interface(future change and follow
Critical Area Interface (based on averaged years monitoring will up with
Wildlife Kennedy annual implementation determine how much landowners to
Habitat Goldsborough 923 4,1131
Maintain BMP over 5 year period of - -- change will warrant determine
Conservation WIRA 14 Implementation each BMP through the adaptive contributing
Areas County) Conservation management) factors
Maintain 7.5 farm plans Cover I acre
per year Reduce agricultural and <5%annual increase Determine reasons
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1173
WORK PLAN
• • —PROTECT
FUNCTIONSCRITICAL AREA ENHANCE
TOTALON
AGRICULTURE JULY 201 1 AGRICULTURAL VALUES THROUGH MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATIONADAPTIVE
VOLUNTARY,CRITICAL &CRITICAL BASELINE LANDS AT A
AREA WRIA AREA JULY 201 1 ACRES OF
BASELINE CRITICAL AS THEY EXISTED MEASURES
INTERFACE AREAIN AS OF
WRIA TRIGGER
BENCHMARKS (MONITORING
•
PROGRAM—
AtProtection,Enhancement and Participation
fish and wildlife in BMP for reduced BMPs
Maintain outreach to all conservation area implementation and options for
operators annually interface to less than Prescribed Grazing 20 acres reinstatements
2011 baseline by:(1) <7 completed
Kitsap 57 2,657 Return rate of 15 ISP maintaining and ISPs/year Meet with District
WRIA 15 Checklists per year reconfiguring Staff to determine
agricultural activities Heavy Use < 15 ISP Checklists if lack of available
away from habitat areas; ' Protection Area 24 units receive/year funding is
or(2)utilizing BMPs preventing BMP
specific to habitat areas Outreach methods implementation
I not reaching all
Increase annual number operators Determine if
of Farm Plans(Individual Field Border landowners in
Skokomish Stewardship Plans)to 16 these areas are not
Dosewallips 533 21,392 _ receiving outreach
WRIA 16 Increase annual information
operator participation Roof Runoff
levels by 50% Structure 26 unit Meet with other
technical
Return rate of 23 ISP assistance
Checklists per year providers to
ascertain level of
Diversion 499 feet landowner interest
Lower and possible
Chehalis roadblocks
WRIA 22 Re-evaluate
benchmarks
Mulching 7 acres
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1174
WORK PLAN
Table 39 Goal 3 Benchmarks and Adaptive Mana ement
GOAL 3—ENSURE THE VIABILITY
TOTALAGRICULTURE&
OF D•
THE CRITICAL AREA ACRES •
• • OF
CRITICAL AREA WRIA BASELINE INTERFACE AGRICULTURAL AGRICULTURAL LAND • TRIGGER
(ACRES) ACTIVITY IN WRIA •THER USES (MONITORING
ACTIONS
PROGRAM—
BENCHMARKS APPENDIX 7)
Kennedy
Goldsborough 1,806 4,856 Locate area(s)of reduction to follow
WRIA 14 up with Landowners to determine
contributing factors
254 baseline acres of
Maintain baseline acreage of Interface <4, ifMeet with District Staff to determine
interface Kitsap WRIA 15 244 364 status of funding programs that may
Critical Aquifer Maintain baseline acreage of Agricultural <8.015 baseline acres of Impact preservation or expansion of
Recharge Areas agricultural activities
Activity agriculture,and the completion of
Skokomish Farm Plans
Dosewallips 1,469 1,959 Maintain 2011 annual average baseline of 7.5 <7.5 annually completed
WRIA 16 completed Farm Plans Farm Plans Meet with County Officials to
—_ determine if policy or regulation
amendments have been made that
Lower Chehalis 735 835 may impact preservation or expansion
WRIA 22
of agriculture
Kennedy
— _ Locate area(s)of reduction to follow
up with Landowners to determine
Goldsborough 1,169 4,856
WRIA 14 contributing factors(e.g.why farming
activity is expanding or moving into
>3,048 baseline acres of flooded areas)
Maintain baseline acreage of Interface nterface
Kitsap WRIA 15 162 364 iMeet with District Staff to determine
Maintain baseline acreage of Agricultural <agricultural activities baseline acres of status of funding programs that may
Flooded Areas agric
Frequently Activity agimpact preservation or expansion of
Skokomish agriculture,and the completion of
Dosewallips 1,537 1,959 Maintain 201 1 annual average baseline of 7.5Farm Plans
WRIA 16 completed Farm Plans <7.5 annually completed
Farm Plans Meet with County Officials to
determine if policy or regulation
Lower Chehalis 180 835 amendments have been made that
WRIA 22 may impact preservation or expansion
of agriculture
Kennedy Maintain baseline acreage of Interface > 1,206 baseline acres of Locate area(s)of reduction to follow
Wetlands Goldsborough 572 4,856 interface up with Landowners to determine
WRIA 14 Maintain baseline acreage of Agricultural contributing factors(e.g.why farming
Activity <8,015 baseline acres of activity is expanding or moving in- ]
to
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
P i g c 1175
WORK PLAN
GOAL 3—ENSURE THE VIABILITY
TOTALAGRICULTURE&
OF D•
CRITICAL AREA ACRES OF
CONVERSION OF
CRITICAL AREA WRIA BASELINE INTERFACE AGRICULTURAL AGRICULTURAL LAND • TRIGGER
(ACRES) ACTIVITY IN WRIA •THER USES (MONITORING
ACTIONS
PROGRAM—
BENCHMARKS APPENDIX 7)
agricultural activities wetlands)
Kissap WRIA IS 141 364 Maintain 2011 annual average baseline of 7.5
completed Farm Plans <7.5 annually completed Meet with District Staff to determine
Farm Plans status of funding programs that may
impact preservation or expansion of
Skokomish agriculture,and the completion of
Dosewallips 446 1,959 Farm Plans
WRIA 16
Meet with County Officials to
determine if policy or regulation
Lower Chehalis 49 835 amendments have been made that
WRIA 22 may impact preservation or expansion
of agriculture
Locate area(s)of reduction to follow
Kennedy up with Landowners to determine
Goldsborough 204 4,856 contributing factors(e.g.why farming
WRIA 14 activity is expanding or moving into
>290 baseline acres of landslide hazard areas)
Maintain baseline acreage of Interface face
Kitsap WRIA 15 33 364 interMeet with District Staff to determine
Landslide Hazard
Maintain baseline acreage of Agricultural <8,015 baseline acres of status of funding programs that may
Areas agricultural activities
Activity impact preservation or expansion of
Skokomish agriculture,and the completion of
Dosewallips 29 1,959 Maintain 2011 annual average baseline of7.5 < Plans
<7.5 annually completed
WRIA 16 completed Farm Plans Farm Plans
Meet with County Officials to
Lower Chehalis determine if policy or regulation
23 835 amendments have been made that
WRIA 22 may impact preservation or expansion
of agriculture
Kennedy Maintain baseline acreage of Interface
>7,589 baseline acres of Locate areas of reduction to follow
f
interace u with Landowners to determine
Goldsborough 4,814 4,856 p
Seismic Hazard WRIA 14 Maintain baseline acreage of Agricultural Activitcontributing factors
Activity 8.015 baseline acres of
Areas agricultural activities Meet with District Staff to determine
Kissap WRIA IS 314 364 Maintain 2011 annual average baseline of 7.5status of funding programs that may
completed Farm Plans <7.5 annually completed impact preservation or expansion of
Farm Plans agriculture,and the completion of
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1176
WORK PLAN
GOAL 3—ENSURE THE VIABILITY
TOTALAGRICULTURE&
OF • REDUCE ADAPTIVE
CRITICAL AREA ACRES OF
CONVERSION OF
CRITICAL AREA WRIA BASELINE INTERFACE AGRICULTURAL AGRICULTURAL • INTO TRIGGER
(ACRES) ACTIVITY IN WRIA •THER USES (MONITORING
ACTIONS
APPENDIXPROGRAM
Skokomish Farm Plans
Dosewallips 1,714 1,959 Meet with County Officials to
WRIA 16
determine if policy or regulation
amendments have been made that
Lower Chehalis may impact preservation or expansion
WRIA 22 747 835 of agriculture
Locate area(s)of reduction to follow
Kennedy up with Landowners to determine
Goldsborough 59 4,856 contributing factors(e.g.why farming
WRIA 14 activity is expanding or moving into
< 108 baseline acres of erosion hazard areas)
Maintain baseline acreage of Interface interface
Kivap WRIA 15 7 364 Meet with District Staff to determine
Erosion Hazard
Maintain baseline acreage of Agricultural <8,015 baseline acres of status of funding programs that may
Areas agricultural activities Activity impact preservation or expansion of
Skokomish agriculture,and the completion of
Dosewallips 42 1,959 Maintain 2011 annual average baseline of 7.5Farm Plans
<7.5 annually completed
WRIA 16 completed Farm Plans Farm Plans
Meet with County Officials to
determine if policy or regulation
Lower Chehalis 0.4 835 amendments have been made that
WRIA 22 may impact preservation or expansion
of agriculture
Kennedy Locate area(s)of reduction to follow
Goldsborough 923 4,856 up with Landowners to determine
WRIA 14 > 1,513 baseline acres of contributing factors(e.g.why farming
Maintain baseline acreage of Interface interface activity is expanding or moving into
Fish and Wildlife Maintain baseline acreage of Agricultural habitat areas)
Habitat KitsaWRIA S 57 364 Activit <8.015 baseline acres of
Conservatip y on agricultural activities Meet with District Staff to determine
Areas status of funding programs that may
- Maintain 2011 annual average baseline of 7.5 <
7.5 annually completed impact preservation or expansion of
Skokomish completed Farm Plans Farm Plans agriculture,and the completion of
Dosewallips 533 1,959 Farm Plans
WRIA 16
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1177
WORK PLAN
GOAL 3-ENSURE THE VIABILITY
TOTALAGRICULTURE&
OF D•
CRITICAL AREA ACRES OF
CONVERSION OF
CRITICAL AREA WRIA BASELINE INTERFACE AGRICULTURAL AGRICULTURAL LAND • TRIGGER
(ACRES) ACTIVITY IN WRIA •THER USES (MONITORING
ACTIONS
PROGRAM-
BENCHMARKS
Meet with County Officials to
Lower Chehalis determine if policy or regulation
WRIA 22 835 amendments have been made that
may impact preservation or expansion
of agriculture
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 178
WORK PLAN
APPENDIX 7 MONITORING PROGRAM
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1 179
WORK PLAN
Table 40 Monitoring
ACTIONS
RESOURCE
MONITORING INFORMATION FORMONITORING MONITORING • •
PROVIDETOOLS MONITORING TOOLS OBTAINING RESOURCE CONTACT THRESHOLD on Critical SCHEDULE RESPONSIBLE
• •
TOOLS
39)
• Locate area(s)
of change and
follow up with
landowners to
determine
contributing
factors.
• Determine
reasons for
reduced BMPs
and options
for
"BMP" reinstatements
• Meet with
Best Management • Type of BMP
District Staff
Practices,or • Intended result of to determine if
Conservation BMP at site lack of
Practices,are • Size,location and type Mason Less than 5% available
specific on the of Ag Operation annual increase in funding is
ground activities • Origin of the request Conservation District Staff BMP preventing Annually District Staff
designed to both for assistance District Database implementation BMP
improve • Type and size of implementatio
agricultural Critical Area on site n
activities and • Determine if
protect critical landowners in
areas
these areas
are not
receiving
outreach
information
• Meet with
other technical
assistance
providers to
ascertain level
of landowner
interest and
possible
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1180
WORK PLAN
ACTIONS
RESOURCE
MONITORING INFORMATION FORMONITORING MONITORING . •
PROVIDETOOLS MONITORING TOOLS OBTAINING RESOURCE CONTACT THRESHOLD on Critical SCHEDULE RESPONSIBLE
• •
TOOLS
39)
roadblocks
• Locate area(s)
of change and
follow up with
landowners to
• Type of practices determine
contributing
• Proposed
"ISP., impact/effect on Ag factors.
• Determine if
Operation
landowners in
Individual • Size,location and type
these areas
Stewardship Plans of Ag Operation Mason Less than 7 are not
target the goals of • Proposed monitoring Conservation District Staff completed ISP receiving Annually District Staff
this Work Plan by techniques District Database per year outreach
targeting • Original of the request information
agricultural for assistance
• Meet with
activities with
Site visits to property other technical
critical areas can ground-truth assistance
critical areas and BMP providers to
implementation ascertain level
of landowner
interest and
possible
roadblocks
• Type of Project Lead Entity • Annual
monitoring to
• Type of Critical Area Habitat Work
observe
Restoration and on site Schedule No threshold for enhancement
Conservation • Intended result of the
projects for Project Washington State Habitat Work Schedule enhancement projects;the Annually District Staff
salmon habitat • Amount/size of Recreation and only tools lack of such
Critical Area Conservation projects would
not necessarily
— -- • Proposed Monitoring Office trigger any
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1181
WORK PLAN
ACTIONS
RESOURCE
INFORMATION • • •
• • MONITORING TOOLS OBTAINING RESOURCE CONTACT • • • •
TOOLS • • SCHEDULE
PROVIDE MONITORING
TOOLS
39)
needed actions
• Determine
NAIP High • Change in land cover contributing
Resolution Aerial • Changes to critical Any changes in factors of
Imagery Change areas Washington agriculture and change Every 2—5 years,
Detection—a • Type of change Department of Habitat Science Division critical area • Determine if depending on District Staff
digital analysis of occurring Fish and Wildlife interface from amount of future releases of
land cover • Patterns/locations of 2011 baseline change information
jchanges change triggers action
based on
Table 38
t
• Determine
-
Local Jurisdictions
contributing
Maps:
CARAs • Increase or decrease Any changes in factors of
Geologically in critical areas Mason County, agriculture and change Every 5—10
Hazardous Areas • Changes to ag lands Department of GIS Division critical area Determine if years,depending District Staff
Frequently • Type and location of Public interface from amount of on County's
Flooded Areaschanges occurring 2011 baseline change update schedule
Future Land Use triggers action
Map based on
_ Table 38
• Determine
contributing
Any changes in factors of
Critical Areas • change
Increase or decrease agriculture and Annually—
U.S.Fish and Determine if
mapping data: in size of wetlands www.fws.Yov/wetlands critical area USFWS updates District Staff
Wetlands . Wildlife Service amount of
Location of wetlands interface from maps biannually
2011 baseline change
triggers action
based on
Table 38
• Determine
I Critical Areas contributing
Any changes in
mapping data: factors of
Increase or decrease Washington agriculture and
Fish and wildlife change
habitat in size of areas Department of www.wdfw.wa.ioy/mappint,/ohs critical area • Annually District Staff
Location of areas Fish and Wildlife interface from Determine if
conservation 2011 baseline amount of
areas change
triggers action
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1182
WORK PLAN
ACTIONS
RESOURCE
MONITORING INFORMATION FORMONITORING • •
MONITORING
TOOLS MONITORING TOOLS OBTAINING RESOURCE CONTACT THRESHOLD on Critical SCHEDULE RESPONSIBLE
PROVIDE MONITORING
TOOLS
39)
based on
Table 38
• Determine if
reductions are
in or adjacent
Designated • Number,location and Mason County Any reduction of to critical
Agricultural size of agricultural ex.phhp Assessor's Office www.co.mason.wa.us/assessor/inddesignated areas Annually District Staff
Lands land agricultural lands . Determine
contributing
factors for the
reduction
• Determine if
agricultural
• Changes in farm Any changes to lands are
Census of demographics U.S.Department the agricultural increase or
Agriculture (number of farms,size of Agriculture www•aecensus.usda.¢ov demographics in decreasing, Every 5 years District Staff
of farms,crops,etc.) the County and if those
changes are
related to
critical areas
• Determine if
agricultural
Agricultural Land . Any changes to lands are
g Changes in size and Washington State increase or
Use Crop Survey location of agricultural Department of www.agr.wa.gov/pestferdnatresources/agthe agricultural
landuse.asox decreasing, —Every 3 years District Staff
Data activities Agriculture demographics in
the County and if those
changes are
related to
critical areas
• Determine
Washington State Any documented nexus
303(d)Listings • Polluted water sites Department of ht;ps://fortress.wa.Yov/ecy/approvedwQovedSearch aspx increases in water between Annually District Staff
Ecology pollutants pollutants and
agricultural
activities,if any
Source Water Washington State Any • Determine
Assessment • Drinking water sites Department of httpsJ/fortress.wa.gov/doh/eh/mans/SWAP/index.html contaminated agricultural Annually District Staff
Program Health drinking water activities are
sourcesin source of
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1183
WORK PLAN
ACTIONS
RESOURCE
MONITORING INFORMATION FORMONITORING MONITORING • •
TOOLS MONITORING TOOLS OBTAINING RESOURCE CONTACT THRESHOLD on Critical SCHEDULE RESPONSIBLE
PROVIDE MONITORING
TOOLS
39)
proximity to contaminants
agricultural
activities
Coastal Change Any land cover • Determine
Analysis Program NOAA Office of changes nexus of
Coastal associated with changes in Every 5 years
Regional Land Land cover changes https://coast.noaa.zov/dij!italcoast/data/ccapre5!ional.html critical areas and relation to District Staff
Management
Cover agricultural agricultural
activities activities,if any
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APPENDIX 8 BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
4i
si
f
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BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
This table is a compilation of 29 Best Management Practices (BMPs) used by the District in Mason
County; the first seven are the most commonly used. The information provided includes the
Conservation Practice number as listed by the National Resource Conservation Service together with
a description of the practice and its purpose. Many of these BMPs can be applied to different areas
and are multi-functional in their ability to protect and enhance critical areas. In formulating the goals
and benchmarks of this Plan, the Work Group drew from these options to apply the most effective
BMPs for each. Each County will have a unique set of goals based on the types of agricultural activities
practiced and the types of critical areas prevalent in those areas. In Mason County, agriculture
primarily focuses around pastures and hayfields which are maintained very differently from crops and
orchards, for instance.
ENCING 382 Constructed barrier to Facilitates conservation
animals or people objectives by providing means
to control movement of
animals and people, including
vehicles
HEAVY USE 561 Used to stabilize ground Provide a stable, non-eroding
PROTECTION AREA surface frequently or surface for areas frequently
intensively used by used by animals, people,
people, animals, or vehicles; protect/improve
vehicles water quality
`SUBSURFACE DRAIN 606 Conduit installed Remove or distribute excessive
beneath the ground soil water
surface to collect and/or
convey excess water
COMPOSTING 317 Structure/device to Reduce pollution potential and
FACILITY contain and facilitate improve handling
controlled aerobic characteristics of organic waste
decomposition of solids; produce soil
organic material by amendment that adds organic
microorganisms into matter and beneficial
biologically stable organisms, provides slow-
organic material suitable release plant-available
nutrients, and improves soil
91 United States Department of Agriculture,Natural Resource Conservation Service,Conservation Practice Number
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as a soil amendment condition
USE EXCLUSION 472 Exclusion of animals, Monitor, manage intensity of
(ACCESS CONTROL) peopOle, vehicles, and/or use by animals, people,
equipment from an area vehicles, equipment with other
practices of conservation plan
FILTER STRIP 393 A strip or area of Reduce suspended solids and
herbaceous vegetation contaminants in runoff; reduce
that removes dissolved contaminants in
contaminants from runoff; reduce suspended
overland flow. solids and contaminants in
irrigation tailwater
WASTE STORAGE 313 A waste storage Temporarily store wastes,
STRUCTURE (FACILITY) impoundment made by wastewater, and contaminated
constructing an runoff as storage function
embankment and/or component of agricultural
excavating a pit or waste management system
dugout, or by fabricating
a structure
PASTURE/HAYLAND 512 Establishing adapted Improve/maintain livestock
PLANTING (FORAGE and/or compatible nutrition and/or health;
AND BIOMASS species, varieties, or provide/increase forage supply;
PLANTING) cultivars of herbaceous reduce soil erosion and
species suitable for improve soil and water quality;
pasture, hay, or biomass produce feedstock for biofuel
production or energy production; increase
carbon sequestration
IRRIGATION SYSTEM: 441 Frequent application of Efficiently and uniformly apply
MICRO-IRRIGATION small quantities of water irrigation water and maintain
on or below the soil soil moisture; prevent
surface: as drops, tiny contamination of ground and
streams, or miniature surface water
spray through emitters
or applicators placed
along a water delivery
line
PRESCRIBED GRAZING 528 Managing harvest of Improve/maintain desired
vegetation with grazing plants species composition;
and/or browsing animals improve/maintain quantity and
quality of forage, water,
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
riparian and watershed
functions, and food/cover for
wildlife; reduce accelerated soil
erosion; mange fine fuel loads
FIELD BORDER 386 A strip of permanent Reduce wind/water erosion;
vegetation established at protect soil/water quality;
the edge or around the provide wildlife food and cover
perimeter of a field and pollinator or other
beneficial organism habitat;
increase carbon storage;
improve air quality
IRRIGATION SYSTEM: 442 A distribution system Efficient, uniform water
SPRINKLER that applies water by application; improve plant
means of nozzles condition, productivity, health,
operated under pressure vigor; prevent entry of
excessive nutrients, organics,
other chemicals in water;
improve soil condition; reduce
particulate matter emissions;
reduce energy use
IRRIGATION WATER 430DD A pipeline and This practice may be applied as
CONVEYANCE — (430) appurtenances installed part of a resource management
PIPELINE: HIGH to convey water for system to achieve one or more
PRESSURE PLASTIC storage or application, as of the following purposes:
(IRRIGATION PIPELINE) part of an irrigation
Conveyance of water from a
water system. source of supply to an
irrigation system or storage
reservoir. Reduce energy use.
Develop renewable energy
systems (i.e., inpipe
hydropower.)
RECREATION TRAIL 568 Trail: constructed path Provide/improve animal access
AND WALKWAY (575) with vegetated or to forage, water,
(TRAILS AND earthen surface. working/handling facilities,
WALKWAYS) Walkway: constructed shelter; Facilitate improved
path with artificial grazing; Protect ecologically
surface. Trail/walkway: sensitive, erosive sites; Provide
facilitate movement of pedestrian/off-road vehicle
animals, people, or access to agricultural,
construction, maintenance
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WORK PLAN
offroad vehicles operations; provide for
recreational activities or access
to recreation sites.
SURFACE DRAINAGE— 607 A graded channel on the Intercept excess surface and
FIELD DITCH field surface for shallow subsurface water from
collecting excess water a field, conveying it to a surface
main or lateral; collect excess
irrigation water for a tailwater
reuse system.
SURFACE DRAINAGE — 608 An open drainage ditch Convey excess surface or
MAIN OR LATERAL for moving excess water shallow subsurface water from
collected by a field ditch field ditch to safe outlet;
or subsurface drain to a convey excess subsurface
safe outlet. water from subsurface drain to
safe outlet
WASTE FACILITY 367 A rigid, semi-rigid, or Protect clean water in existing
COVER (ROOFS AND flexible manufactured or planned animal waste
COVERS) membrane, composite handling or storage area;
material or roof improve waste management
structure placed over a and utilization; capture biogas
waste management emissions from an existing or
facility, agrichemical planned animal waste storage
handling facility, or an facility; protect clean water by
on-farm secondary excluding it from a chemically
containment facility contaminated area
WATERING FACILITY 614 A means of providing Supply daily water
drinking water to requirements; improve animal
livestock or wildlife. distribution; provide water
source as alternative to
sensitive resource
HEDGEROW 422 Establishment of dense Food, cover, corridors for
PLANTING vegetation in a linear terrestrial wildlife, and aquatic
design to achieve a organisms that live in streams;
natural resource improve water quality and
conservation purpose. aquatic habitat in ditches and
channels; living fences;
boundary delineation; intercept
airborne particulate matter;
reduce chemical drift, odor
movement; increase carbon
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WORK PLAN
storage in biomass and soils;
contour guidelines; screens and
barriers to noise, dust;
improve landscape appearance
HERBACEOUS WEED 315 The removal or control Enhance accessibility quantity,
CONTROL of herbaceous weeds quality of forage and/or
including invasive, browse; restore or release
noxious and prohibited plant communities and wildlife
plants habitats consistent with the
ecological site; protect soils,
control erosion; reduce fine-
fuels fire hazard and improve
air quality
RIPARIAN FOREST 391 An area predominantly Create shade to lower,
BUFFER trees and/or shrubs maintain water temperatures;
located adjacent to and provide source of detritus and
up-gradient from large woody debris; reduce
watercourses or water excess amounts of sediment,
bodies. organic material, nutrients and
pesticides in surface runoff and
in shallow ground water flow;
reduce pesticide drift; restore
riparian plant communities;
increase carbon storage in
plant biomass and soils.
STREAM HABITAT 395 Maintain, improve, Provide suitable aquatic
IMPROVEMENT & restore physical, habitat; maintain stream
MANAGEMENT chemical, biological corridor ecological processes
functions of stream, and and hydrological connections
associated riparian zone of diverse stream habitat types
important to aquatic species
TREE/SHRUB 612 Establishing woody Establish woody plants for:
ESTABLISHMENT plants by planting forest products; habitat; long-
seedlings or cuttings, term erosion control and
direct seeding, or natural water quality; treat waste;
regeneration store carbon in biomass;
reduce energy use; develop
renewable energy systems;
improve restore natural
Mason County— Voluntary Stewordship Program
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WORK PLAN
• i4;L94-1
diversity; enhance aesthetic
TREE/SHRUB SITE 490 Treatment of areas to Encourage natural
PREPARATION improve site conditions regeneration; permit artificial
for establishing trees establishment of woody plants
and/or shrubs
WETLAND 657 The return of a wetland Restore: conditions conducive
RESTORATION and its functions to a to hydric soil maintenance;
close approximation of wetland hydrology; native
its original condition as it hydrophytic vegetation; original
existed prior to fish and wildlife habitats
disturbance on a former
or degraded wetland site
ROOF RUNOFF 558 A structure that will Protect surface water quality
STRUCTURE collect, control and by excluding roof runoff from
convey precipitation contaminated areas; protect
runoff from a roof structure foundation from
water damage or soil erosion
from excess water runoff,
increase infiltration of runoff
water; capture water for other
use
STREAM CROSSING 578 A stabilized area or Access to another land unit;
structure constructed Improve water quality by
across a stream to reducing sediment, nutrient,
provide a travel way for organic, and inorganic loading;
people, livestock, reduce streambank and
equipment, or vehicles streambed erosion
NUTRIENT 590 Managing the amount Budget, supply, and conserve
MANAGEMENT (rate), source, placement nutrients; minimize agricultural
(method of application), nonpoint source pollution;
and timing of plant properly utilize manure or
nutrients and soil organic byproducts; protect air
amendments quality; maintain or improve
the physical, chemical, and
biological condition of soil
SILVOPASTURE 381 An application Provide forage for livestock
ESTABLISHMENT establishing a and wood products; Increase
combination of trees or carbon sequestration; improve
shrubs and compatible water quality; reduce erosion;
Mason County-- Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
forages on the same enhance wildlife habitat; reduce
acreage fire hazard; provide shade for
livestock; develop renewable
energy systems
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WORK PLAN
APPENDIX 9 VOLUNTARY STEWARDSHIP
OVERVIEW AND INDIVIDUAL STEWARDSHIP
CHECKLIST
f,
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WORK PLAN
WHAT IS THE VOLUNTARY STEWARDSHIP
PROGRAM ?
The Voluntary Stewardship Program, or "VSP", was adopted in 2011 under the Washington Growth
Management Act as an alternative to traditional critical areas regulations. Communities develop a
WORK PLAN that focuses on incentives to encourage good ecosystem stewardship instead of
regulatory approaches to protect critical areas on agricultural lands. Important Critical areas generally
support clean water, sustainable populations of salmon and shellfish, and healthy populations of plants
and wildlife for next generations. Under this Program, farmers can operate successful agricultural
businesses while taking the initiative to improve the environment on their land. These initiatives are
known as Best Management or Conservation Practices, and are already in use by farmers throughout
the County.
Where agricultural intersects with critical areas, the Program provides incentives for agricultural
landowners and operators to voluntarily enhance the condition of critical areas through best
management practices. A successful steward ship program would enable the community to apply
cooperation, innovation, and effective action for the advancement of agriculture and the
environment.
THE VSP WORK PLAN
Mason County's WORK PLAN for the Program that includes goals, benchmarks, monitoring and
adaptive management for protecting and enhancing critical areas through voluntary, site- specific
stewardship practices. The WORK PLAN is also focused on maintaining and enhancing the long-term
viability of agriculture and reducing the conversion of farmland to other uses. Specifically the PLAN has
four goals:
GOAL I protect critical area functions and values on agricultural lands at
a watershed level as they existed as of July 22, 2011
GOAL 2 enhance critical area functions and values through voluntary,
incentive-based measures.
GOAL 3 ensure the viability of agriculture and reduce the conversion of
agricultural land into other uses.
GOAL 4 establish baseline monitoring program to measure benchmarks
over a ten year period.
The PLAN also establishes measurable Benchmarks to assess progress toward achieving these goals.
Monitoring techniques have been included and are a necessary tool to again illustrate how the Work
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
Plan intends to effectively measure the Benchmarks and meet the Goals throughout its
implementation. A threshold for adaptive management has also been established for most of the
monitoring techniques to allow the District to evaluate how they are meeting goals and adjust for
future decision making.
Fortunately, the majority of work associated with the WORK PLAN, its implementation and
monitoring, is the responsibility of the Conservation District. You, the volunteer, are only as obligated
as you choose to be utilizing a variety of available best management practices.
Implementation of the Program only requires voluntary stewardship as the primary method of
protecting critical areas. It may not require an agricultural operator to discontinue agricultural
activities,92 or to even participate in the Program. Agricultural operators volunteering to participate
may withdraw from the program at any time.
Commercial and noncommercial agricultural operators participating in the Program and implementing
an individual stewardship plan consistent with the WORK PLAN are presumed to be working toward
the protection and enhancement of critical areas. Operators participating in the program may be
eligible to receive funding and assistance under watershed programs.
There are many funding opportunities for farmers regardless of whether or not they participate in this
program. Some of those are listed later.
WHAT ARE CRITICAL AREAS?
Not everyone is familiar with what or where critical areas are in Mason County. The Program
recognizes five different critical areas according to the Growth Management Act, and all five can be
found here. These include: critical aquifer recharge areas (CARA), frequently flooded areas, wetlands,
fish & wildlife habitat conservation areas, and geologically hazardous areas.
In Mason County, geologically hazardous areas are divided into three subcategories: landslide hazard,
seismic hazard, and erosion hazard areas. The following table indicates the total acreage of each critical
area in the County and its proportional interface with agricultural lands.
Acres and Percentages of Agriculture and Critical Area Interface
TotalCritical Of Of • Of •
Area "CA" Acres Of
Of AgricultureAgricultureAgriculture '
CA Interface Interface Interface
CARA 121,084 8,015 4,254 53% 3%
Flooded 59,535 8,015 3,048 38% 5%
Areas
92 Legally existing prior to July 22,201 1
Mason County-- Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
Critical Total Total Acres Acres Of Of Of
Area "CA" Acres Of Of Agriculture
CA Interface Interface Interface
Landslide 82,683 8,015 290 4% 0.3%
Areas
Seismic 398,254 8,015 7,589 95% 2%
Areas
Erosion 16,856 8,015 108 1
Areas
Fish & 27,798 8,015 1,513 19% 5%
Wildlife
Wetlands 54,650 8,015 1,206 15% A 2%
Critical areas, as denoted above, support clean water and healthy plant and wildlife populations. Each is
different in its make-up and functions, as well as its associated protection measures. Below are brief
descriptions of all five:
, Surface waters replenish, "recharge",
aquifers through seepage from
s - streams, lakes, and wetlands, and from
— --s precipitation that percolates through
— soil or rock.Areas with a critical
recharging effect on aquifers used for
potable water,also called Critical
Aquifer Recharge Areas or CARAs.
CritMl Aquifer— Photo:Oakland Bay,Courtesy of WA Department
Recharge
A of Ecology
' .
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WORK PLAN
n ti4= Frequently flooded areas are lands
in the flood plain subject to at least
a one percent or greater chance of
flooding in any given year, or
within areas subject to flooding
due to high groundwater.
Photo:Tahuyo River, Courtesy of The
Lunkers Guide
Frequently • •d'd
Areas
G Landslide areas are at risk for a
rapid down slope movement of a
mass of material such as rocks,
soil, or other debris. The
occurrence depends on a number
of factors including soil
vulnerability, slope, and the degree
of water saturation.
Photo:Highway 106 Landslide, Courtesy of
' •
KOMO 4 News
• d
Seismic hazards occur in areas
subject to severe risk of
earthquake damage as a result of
seismic induced settlement or
liquefied soils.
Jj
J . Photo:Courtesy of www.nbcrightnow.com
Seismic Hazard Arewl
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WORK PLAN
Erosion hazard areas are where
the land surface is worn away by
r W
the action of water, wind, ice or
other geologic processes. The
most common cause of erosion is
"' �n„�. " ►�. water falling or flowing across the
land.
tiE
Photo:Bulkhead, Courtesy of Mason CD
•s i • Hazard Areas
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Conservation Areas (FWHCA) are
recognized for maintaining species in
suitable habitats within their natural
•+ geographic distribution so that
isolated populations are not created.
They are both aquatic and terrestrial
areas within the County.
® , or' Photo:Courtesy of Beau tifulWashington.com
Conservation Areas
Generally, wetlands are areas
inundated or saturated by surface
or groundwater at a frequency and
.... _��� or
sufficient to support a
ipWprevalence of vegetation typically
adapted for life in saturated soil
conditions..
Photo:Thelor Wetlands, Courtesy of
ndsTrevor.com
etlI
Mason County- Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
To give you an idea of where these areas are, this Critical Areas Mosaic Map illustrates a pattern of
these areas across the County.
MASON COUNTY
Cnocal Areas Mosaic
a �
y /
Y
Legend I
LtasonCcuntyWRIAs
L'J�tlan is { •� � tf � ,
Erosar Hazar1s
Pnonty5pecieshabitat
Landslide Hszares /r
Frequently Flo)ded Arca •.f.�J ��,�I
CARAs
i
seismic Haaf^s �
VAterbodies
Mason Ccunty v�
Cate 1'/7017 t%.,'X ,✓
r
Mascn
Conservation f
pat,,�•�y �J Z 4 86saes
To find out if your agricultural operation has a critical area located on it, and to learn more about
voluntary practices, the District has created a Checklist93 that evaluates the WORK PLAN's goals
together with the needs and objectives of the individual operator.
93 The Mason County VSP ISP checklist contains a compilation of original and borrowed materials from checklists approved for other jurisdictions,
including Pacific, Thurston,Yakima,and Grant-our thanks and acknowledgement of their work.
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
PROPERTY INFORMATION
The following checklist can be used to initiate an Individual Stewardship Plan 94 (ISP) under the Voluntary
Stewardship Program. This is a site-specific plan for individual agricultural operations that identifies
agricultural activities and conservation practice options based on the Natural Resources Conservation
Service's (NRCS) conservation planning procedures. The ISP details conservation practices that
promote agricultural business viability while protecting and voluntarily enhancing critical areas.
Completion of this survey is the first step to helping the agricultural community in Mason County to
meet its participation standards under the Program. This ISP survey will be used to assess trends in
implementation of practices that support agricultural viability and critical area protection, and the
individual results of this survey will be held in confidentiality by the Mason Conservation District.
External reporting of the ISP results will only occur at the watershed scale.
Your name:
Phone number or email address:
Today's date:
Agricultural business address:
Name of person who manages your farm:
Number of acres in agricultural production:
What products do you produce?
94 The Washington State Conservation Commission believes that Individual Stewardship Plans are similar to Farm Plans developed by Conservation
Districts and are confidential and exempt from disclosure.Policy Advisory#01-17 RCW 42.56.270(17)
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
N
W'A,T��E
S
SKOKOMEH-DOSEW
AILPS WRIA ICi
KIISM WRl11 b
KFNNEE I-GOM®OROUCH WR1114
I0W6t dUNAUS WRIA 22
I
i
i
' 0 2 4 8 Miles
WHAT WRIA IS YOUR AGRICULTURAL PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN?
Kennedy-Goldsborough - WRIA 14 O
Kitsap - WRIA 15 O
Skokomish-Dosewallips- WRIA 16 O
Lower Chehalis - WRIA 22 O
For online maps and to look up your parcel you can go to http://www.geodata.org/
IDENTIFY POTENTIAL CRITICAL AREAS ON, OR NEAR, PROPERTY:
Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas O
Wetlands O
Frequently Flooded Areas O
Mason County—Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
Geologically Hazardous Areas
Landslide Hazard O
Seismic Hazard O
Erosion Hazard O
Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas O
VSP is a voluntary and non-regulatory program. Checking one or more critical areas that may
potentially be located on or adjacent to the property does not constitute an official determination of
such a feature. It is helpful in filling out the rest of the checklist. If you are unsure you can contact the
VSP Coordinator at (360) 427-9436, ext. 104 or you can email Badkins@masoncd.orgfor assistance.
IDENTIFY YOUR CURRENT PARTICIPATION IN VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS
THAT ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND AGRICULTURAL
VIABILITY:
EQIP - Environmental Quality Incentives Program O
CStP - Conservation Stewardship Program O
EWP - Emergency Watershed Protection Program O
EWP FPE - Floodplain Easement O
FRPP - Farm & Ranchland Protection Program O
CREP - Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program O
ECP - Emergency Conservation Program O
Disaster Assistance Program (includes LFP- Livestock Forage Program) O
Mason County Open Space Tax Program O
Existing farm plan through the conservation district or NRCS O
Other:
Try your best to answer the questions and Mason Conservation District Staff can help you with the
rest. District staff can perform a site visit to verify the actual extent and location of critical areas on
your property and help you develop an ISP for implementing conservation practices and maintaining or
improving the long-term viability of your agricultural operation. This can be done through the use of
online mapping tools and visual identification.
Using the examples below, begin identifying conservation practices that you are already doing or that
you are interested in discussing with the District to meet objectives of the VSP. The examples are only
a few of those commonly used that might be implemented in an ISP. Please indicate which conservation
practices you are already doing (after the July 22, 2011 baseline) or that you would like to implement,
or if it is not applicable to your operation.
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
For more information, criteria, and other practices please use the link in the footnote below to view
the conservation practice standard in the Field Office Technical Guides.9s
• ,. Facilitates conservation objectives by
providing means to control movement of
animals and people, including vehicles.
I did this after July 22, 2011 O
wry. I am interested in this O
•
Heavy Use ProtectionArea Provides a stable, non-eroding surface for
areas frequently used by animals, people, and
vehicles; protects/improves water quality.
I did this after July 22, 2011 O
I am interested in this O
95httos://efotg.sc.egov.usda gov
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
Subsurface Drain ■ A pipe installed beneath the ground surface
to collect and/or convey excess water.
I did this after July 22, 2011 O
I am interested in this O
Composting Facility
Reduces pollution potential and improves
handling characteristics of organic waste
solids; produce soil amendments that add
" organic matter and beneficial organisms,
provides slow release plant available
nutrients, and improves soil condition.
I did this after July 22, 2011 O
I am interested in this O
Access • •
Monitor, manage intensity of use by animals,
people, vehicles, equipment with other
practices of conservation plan.
did this after July 22, 2011 O
I am interested in this O
i 1
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
Filter li Reduces suspended solids and dissolved
contaminants in runoff, reduces suspended
solids and contaminants in irrigation
q®r _ ., "
tailwater.
I did this after July 22, 2011 O
i
I am interested in this O
Waste Storage Structure F cility Temporarily store wastes as storage
function component of agricultural waste
management system.
I did this after July 22, 2011 O
I am interested in this O
Pasturefflayland PlantingImprove/maintain livestock nutrition and
health; provide/increase forage supply;
reduce soil erosion and improve soil and
water quality; produce feedstock for biofuel
or energy production; increase carbon
sequestration.
I did this after July 22, 2011 O
I am interested in this O
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
Micro-irrigation - Efficiently and uniformly apply irrigation
water and maintain soil moisture.
`•` �� ;.; ;,i I did this after July 22, 2011 O
I am interested in this O
Prescribed Grazing
- Improve/maintain desired plant species
composition; improve/maintain quantity and
quality of forage, water, riparian and
watershed functions, and food/cover for
wildlife, reduce accelerated soil erosion;
manage fine fuels loads.
I did this after July 22, 2011 O
am interested in this O
qW Field Border Reduce wind/water erosion; protect
soil/water quality; provide wildlife food and
cover and pollinator or other beneficial
organism habitat; increase carbon storage;
improve air quality.
r
I did this after July 22, 2011 O
' I am interested in this O
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
Sprinkler Irrigation• Efficient, uniform water application; improve
plant condition, productivity, health, vigor;
., improve soil condition; reduce particulate
matter emissions; reduce energy use.
I did this after July 22, 2011 O
r..
am interested in this O
ConveyanceWater
Conveyance of water from a source of
supply to an irrigation system or storage
reservoir, reduce energy use, develop
renewable energy systems.
"y
did this after July 22, 2011 O
_. s
I am interested in this O
Recreation Trail and Walkway A Trail is a constructed path with a
vegetated or earthen surface. A walkway is a
contrasted path with an artificial surface. A
` trail/walkway is used to facilitate the
movement of animals, people, or off-road
vehicles.
I did this after July 22, 2011 O
— -t- _ I am interested in this O
Mason County-- Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1207
WORK PLAN
Surface Drainage Field Ditch Intercept excess surface and shallow
subsurface water from a field, conveying it to
a surface main or lateral; collect excess
irrigation water for a tailwater reuse system.
f'.
did this after July 22, 201 1 O
I am interested in this O
Surface Drainage - Main or I •' Convey excess surface or shallow subsurface
water from field ditch to safe outlet; convey
excess subsurface water from subsurface
drain to safe outlet.
4�k4tadIni •
1
I did this after July 22, 2011 O
I am interested in this O
Waste Facility Cover Protect clean water in existing or planned
animal waste handling or storage area;
improve waste management and utilization;
protect clean water by excluding it from a
chemically contaminated area.
I did this after July 22, 2011 O
I am interested in this O
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
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WORK PLAN
Watering Facility Supply daily water requirements; improve
animal distribution; provide water source as
alternative to sensitive resource.
I did this after July 22, 2011 O
b
�- I am interested in this O
Hedgerow PlantEstablishment of dense vegetation in a linear
design to achieve a natural resource
conservation purpose.
I did this after July 22, 2011 O
am interested in this O
Herbaceous Control Enhance accessibility, quantity, quality of
forage and/or browse; restore or release
plant communities and wildlife habitats
consistent with the ecological site; protect
soils, control erosion; reduce fine-fuels fire
hazard and improve air quality.
did this after July 22, 2011 O
1 am interested in this O
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1209
WORK PLAN
Riparian ForestCreate shade to lower, maintain water
temperatures; reduce excess sediment,
organic material, nutrients and pesticides in
runoff, reduce pesticide drift; restore
riparian plant communities; increase carbon
storage in plant biomass and soils.
I did this after July 22, 2011 O
I am interested in this O
Stream • •itat Management Provide suitable aquatic habitat; maintain
stream corridor ecological processes and
_ hydrological connections of diverse stream
{4 habitat types important to aquatic species.
41 t
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Tree/Shru
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• Establishment Establish woody plants for:forest products,
habitat, long-term erosion control and water
quality, treat waste, store carbon in biomass,
PIN reduce energy use, develop renewable
- energy systems, improve and restore natural
diversity, and enhance aesthetics.
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Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
1
Page 1210
WORK PLAN
Tree/Shrub Site PreparationEncourage natural regeneration; permit
artificial establishment of wood plants.
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Wetland Restoration Restore conditions conducive to hydric soil
maintenance, wetland hydrology, native
hydrophytic vegetation, original fish and
wildlife habitats.
AWN"
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,,estoration
Roof Ru •ff Structure Protect surface water quality by excluding
roof runoff from contaminated areas;
protect structure foundation from water
damage or soil erosion from excess water
runoff, increase infiltration of runoff water;
capture water for other uses.
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Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Page 1211
WORK PLAN
Access to another land unit; improve water
quality by reducing sediment, nutrient,
organic and inorganic loading; reduce
streambank and streambed erosion.
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The VSP is designed to promote the viability of agriculture over the long term and to avoid unnecessary
local critical area regulations due to the prevalence of conservation practices undertaken by willing
producers. Farmer and agricultural operators may find funding programs, as previously discussed, and
request a field visit to obtain advice on improving viability and to recommended conservation practices.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE
If you have any questions or would like more information on how to get involved, contact the VSP
Coordinator or visit the VSP website at www.masoncd.org/vsp. Critical areas exist throughout the
County. You can direct questions about the presence of critical areas on your property or any
questions on how to get involved to the Mason County VSP Coordinator:
Barbara Adkins, AICP
Special Programs Manager
Mason Conservation District
450 W. Business Park Road
Shelton, WA 98584 (360) 427-9436, ext 104
Badkins@masoncd.org
Mason County— Voluntary Stewardship Program
Mason County Elected Official/Director Meeting
Draft Agenda
Commission Chambers, 411 North 5th Street, Shelton
Monday, October 1, 2018
2 p.m.
1. Welcome - Call to Order
2. Review of Internal Allocations — Frank Pinter/Jennifer Beierle
3. Review of 2019 Budget Process — Frank Pinter/Jennifer Beierle
4. Updates from Elected Officials/Directors
5. Next Meeting — Monday, December 3 @ 2 p.m.
Agendas are subject to change, please contact the Commissioners'office for the most recent version.
Last printed 09/24/18 at 5:27 PM
If special accommodations are needed, contact the Commissioners'office at ext. 419, Shelton #360-427-9670;
Belfair #275-4467, Elma #482-5269.
3:\AGENDAS\2018\2018-10-01 EO-DH mtg.docx
BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
DRAFT 2019 BUDGET WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Commission Chambers, 411 North Fifth Street, Shelton WA 98584
SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE — PLEASE CONTACT COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE
Monday, October 8, 2018
2:30 p.m. Commissioners' Budget
Current Expense Non-Departmental Budgets
Commissioners' Special Fund Budgets
Tuesday October 9, 2018
10:00 a.m. Public Works
Utilities
Monday, October 15, 2018
2:00 p.m. WSU/Extension Office
3:00 p.m. District Court
Monday, October 22, 2018
2:00 p.m. Support Services Budgets
Support Services — no PLR's; Human Resources (includes Risk Management, Civil
Services & Board of Equalization) Emergency Management; Information
Technology; Facilities, Parks &Trails
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
11:00 a.m. Auditor
2:00 p.m. Superior Court
Therapeutic Court
Juvenile Court
Law Library
4:00 p.m. Coroner
Monday, October 29, 2018
2:00 p.m. Public Defense — Peter Jones
Monday, November 12 is Veteran's Day Holiday
Monday November 19 — Commissioners' 2019 Preliminary Budget is due to the
ublic
• Public hearing to certify levies must occur prior to November 30
• 2019 budget hearing is Monday, December 3 (printed Commissioner preliminary budget is due to
public November 19—2 weeks prior to public hearing)
Workshop Agendas are subject to change, please contact the Commissioners'office for the most recent version.
Last printed 09/27/18 at 9:27 AM
If special accommodations are needed, contact the Commissioners' office at ext. 419, Shelton #360-427-9670;
Belfair #275-4467, Elma #482-5269.