SUMMARY OF MEETING OF June 21, 2017 In attendance: Don Brigham, Jessica Gonzales*, Mark Teske, Tim Behne*, Robert Ramm*, Dustin Sikstrom, Alex McLean*, April Clayton*, Curt Soper*, Olivia Schilling, Aaron Rosenblum*, Evan Sheffels (remotely). *Work group member - To start the meeting Aaron discussed two VSP program updates. The first was that a state operating budget has yet to be signed, and due to this VSP funds will not be able to be spent during July. Therefore, the July meeting will be cancelled. The second update is that Grant and Skagit counties submitted work plans to the Technical Panel in the month of June. Grant s plan was conditionally approved, pending minor edits, and Skagit will make edits and resubmit their plan. - The next topic was a brainstorm for communications and outreach for the Douglas County VSP program. The results of the brainstorm follow: Communication and Outreach Brainstorm What information needs to be communicated? Work group meeting notices and minutes VSP-what it is and why important- audience specific VSP related news Agricultural related news? Response luke-warm, maybe not worth the effort? County-commissioners, regular communication, TLS Others?
Surveys - What conservation activities are you doing? What are you interested in doing? What workshops/tours are you interested in? What is the method of communication? Newspapers- Empire press, Wenatchee world, Quad-City Harold Radio KOZI, KOHO, KPQ VSP Contact lists How to best obtain? Newspaper articles, newsletters, WSU mailing list, postcard mailers Email blasts General, Producer VSP webpage FCCD, provide link on others? Newsletters FCCD, SDCD, Others? Cattlemans, Wheat growers, Central Washington Grain Growers, FSA/NRCS? Postcard mailers-farm bureau can send to members NCW fair FCCD booth FCCD/SDCC annual meeting Other events Local grower meetings, wheatgrowers, cattlemans Farmers market- pybus Event/flier boards around the county Facebook FSA/NRCS/WSU/WDFW? Offices-trifold/fact sheet Local ag. Supply stores- S&W, Legislative Days Others? Physical communication tools VSP Fact Sheet/ FAQ VSP Trifold? maybe boring MSGCP trifold (two exist) Posters/fliers make flashy, attract attention Targeted presentations- very effective, face to face time important VSP farm signs strategic placement (hwy 2) Others? Slogan? Thought provoking pictures and questions Make an impression! Messaging is important! Who targeted
- Producers: orchards, wheat, cattle - Agencies - NPOs - County Commissioners - General public - The next meeting topic covered was the VSP Producer Survey. The tool was introduced by Aaron as a producer checklist, but it was noted that calling it a survey would be more accurate and descriptive. Aaron stated that the main objectives of the survey were to: 1) collect information on what stewardship activities are on the ground in Douglas County, where these activities are occurring, and if they are funded by NRCS, self-funded, or some other funding source; 2) collect information on what stewardship activities producers in the county are interested in doing, the idea here being that Foster Creek CD, as the technical service provider, would then connect the producers with cost-share dollars and technical advice to help implement the activities that they are interested in doing; 3) collect information on educational workshops, field tours, etc. that would benefit producers, several different ideas were proposed when the group discussed agricultural viability, this would be a way to prioritize these ideas and generate new ones. - A copy of Grant County s survey tool was then shown to the group and changes that we would like to make were discussed. Dustin suggested that we allow the ability to prioritize resource concerns. April noted that drip irrigation would be important to include for Douglas County. It was noted that it should be clearly stated why filling out the survey is important, i.e. avoid regulations. We discussed possible adding more columns to collect additional information such as I am still doing this activity and NRCS funded or self-funded. The group also noted that including a privacy notice is important to address producer fears of self-reporting. How all of this information would be collected and compiled was discussed and it was noted that electronically is preferred. The group also noted that simpler, and shorter is better. - Aaron asked for any additional comments on the Empire press article. None were given. The article should be published in the July 6 th, edition of the Empire Press. - Aaron asked for comments on the Introduction chapter of the work plan. The group felt more time was needed to provide feedback. Aaron gave the deadline of the end of July to provide feedback. Evan noted that the Ruckelshaus Center is affiliated with both UW and WSU and that adding graphics and photos to the final product would be good. - Aaron asked for any new comments to the proposed benchmarks. No new comments were made. The current proposed benchmarks are as follows: Goal: Protect and/or enhance Hydraulic Functions and Values in Douglas County
Objective: Protect and/or enhance natural hydraulic storage capacity through the implementation of conservation activities Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that promote soil-water holding capacity Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that limit soil compaction Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that protect wetland and riparian areas Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that decrease evapotranspiration Objective: Promote the efficient and beneficial use of water in Agriculture Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that promote the efficient use of irrigation water Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that promote the beneficial use of water in ranching Goal: Protect and/or enhance water quality and associated functions and values in Douglas County Objective: Protect and/or enhance surface water quality by implementing conservation activities that manage the amount of chemicals and sediments delivered to waterbodies Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that reduce wind or water soil erosion Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that manage chemicals Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that filter chemicals and sediment Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that protect riparian and wetland systems Objective: Protect and/or enhance surface water quality by implementing conservation activities that reduce water temperatures Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that protect riparian and wetland systems Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that promote soil-water holding capacity Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that enhance and restore riparian and wetland habitat Objective: Protect and/or enhance groundwater quality by implementing conservation activities that manage the amount of chemicals to groundwater. Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that manage chemicals
Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that filter chemicals Goal: Protect and/or enhance soil health and associated functions and values in Douglas County Objective: Protect and/or enhance soil health by implementing conservation activities that preserve the physical structure and amount of soil. Benchmark: Objective: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that limit soil compaction Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that reduce wind or water soil erosion Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that decrease soil bulk density and increase heterogeneity Objective: Protect and/or enhance soil health by implementing conservation activities that benefit soil fertility. Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that add organic matter to soil Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that manage inputs Goal: Protect and/or enhance fish and wildlife habitat and associated functions and values in Douglas County Objective: Protect and/or enhance terrestrial habitat through implementation of conservation activities Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that manage or enhance upland habitat for wildlife Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that manage livestock compatibly with wildlife Objective: Protect and/or enhance riparian and wetland habitat through implementation of conservation activities Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that protect riparian and wetland habitat Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that enhance and restore riparian and wetland habitat Objective: Protect and/or enhance aquatic habitat through implementation of conservation activities Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that reduce wind or water soil erosion
Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that manage nutrient and pesticide inputs Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that filter contaminates Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that protect riparian and wetland systems Benchmark: Maintain (increase) conservation activities that promote soil-water holding capacity Goal: Protect and/or enhance critical area functions and values throughout Douglas County Objective: Protect and/or enhance critical areas by securing conservation easements that allow compatible agricultural activities Benchmark: Maintain (increase) the number of acres in conservation easements that have active, compatible agricultural activities occurring - The group discussed the technical panel review process. Notable comments were that it is important to monitor environmental indicators when using this approach to benchmark setting, that the technical panel will be looking for supporting documentation for all requirements of the statute, and that the review period may be increased from 45 days to 90 days in the next biennium. Future meeting topics requested by the group: - Indicators - Identify and discuss key practices used for setting and tracking benchmarks Next Meeting Dates and Times: Wednesday, July 19 th,2017 CANCELLED August 16 th, 2017 at 6 pm September 20, 2017 at 6 pm NOTE: The entirety of this meeting was open to public comment Questions or Comments,
contact Aaron Rosenblum 509-423-5990 or arosenblum@fostercreekcd.org