HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-12 - Res. Electing to Participate in the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) for Protection of CriticalE li
RESOLUTION NO. LI I lit
ECTING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VOLUNTARY
'EWAR SHIP PROGRIWI FOR PROTECTION OF CRITICAL AREAS
(RON 36a7 A0705)
WHEREAS, the Washington State Legislature, through ESHB 1886, known as the
Ruckelshaus Process Bill, created a Voluntary Stewardship Program ("VSP") for protection of
critical areas associated with agricultural activities; and
WHEREAS, ESHB 1886, as codified in RCW 36.70A.710, states that "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 the county may elect to
protect such critical areas through the program."; and
WHEREAS, in order to participate in the VSP, the county legislative authority must elect
to participate by January 22, 2012; and
WHEREAS, prior to electing to participate in the VSP a county is required to confer with
tribes, environmental and agricultural interests; and provide notice following the public
participation and notice provisions of RCW 36.70A.035 to property owners and other affected
and interested individuals, tribes, government agencies, businesses, school districts, and
organizations; and
WHEREAS, Mason County established a VSP website and email address to provide
effective communication for providing and receiving information; provided a News Release to
KRXY, Shelton -Mason County Journal, The Olympian, Shelton Chamber Of Commerce,
North Mason Chamber Of Commerce, City Of Shelton, Economic Development Council, and The
Kitsap Sun and a formal public notice to the Shelton -Mason County Journal; and mailed notice
of the pudic hearing to interested individuals, tribes, government agencies, businesses, school
districts, and organization; and
WHEREAS, after due notice, the Mason County Board of County Commissioners held a
public hearing on January 17, 2012 to hear testimony and take public comments regarding
Mason County decision to opt -in to the VSP pursuant to RCW 36.70A.710 ; and
WHEREAS, on January 17, 2012 the Mason County Board of County Commissioners
considered this Resolution and officially elects to participate in Voluntary Stewardship Program
(CW 36.70A.705) acne adopts the following findings:
1. The Board of County Commissioners hereby elects to enroll the entirety of
unincorporated Mason County, and all of its watersheds, in the Voluntary Stewardship
Program established by Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1886 (RCW 36.70A.705); and
2. The Board of County Commissioners hereby acknowledges that the county includes
portions of five watersheds including Kennedy Goldsborough, Kitsap, Skokomish-
Dosewallips and South Shore of Hood Canal, Queets-Quinault, and Lower Chehalis.
3. The Board of County Commissioners hereby nominates all of its watersheds for
consideration by the State Conservation Commission as priority watersheds; and
4 There is local leadership to make the Voluntary Stewardship Program successful; and
5. Data relevant to the VSP is available and there are some watershed plans and
implementation strategies that can be integrated; and
6. Technical assistance is available locally as necessary to develop and implement the
Program; and
7. with adequate funding, there is a likelihood of success with a local effort to establish
and implement the Voluntary Stewardship Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by adoption of this resolution Mason County is eligible for
state grant -funding to accomplish the intent of the Voluntary Stewardship Program, and that
Mason County will proceed as required under the Growth Management Act and RCW
36.70A.705 to implement the requirements of the Voluntary Stewardship Program once
adequate funding is provides by the state.
ADOPTED this 11 day of January, 2012
ATTEST:
Shannon Goudy, Clerk of the Board
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
s 5n,2l
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
, . .. ,
pi d4.i Iti? �� allic7,0
Lynda Ring Erickson air
SOLeer,
Tim Sheldon, Commissioner
Tin-1 Whitehead, Chief DPA Steve Bloomfield, Commissioner