2016 - 09

CTD Newsletter - September 2016

Planner Certifications are Here!

The CTD has been diligently working to provide new ways to enhance and support your hard work. One of those is with a new planner certification program aimed at verifying your expertise in planning and providing continuing education and mentorship opportunities to advance your skills. The CTD has launched the first certifications in Dairy Nutrient Management Planning, Farm Planning, and Riparian Planning.

The purpose of the Certification Program is to certify individuals as having the necessary skills and abilities to plan to the requirements set forth in the individual Certification guidelines, as well as recognize those planners that have demonstrated an advanced level of knowledge, skills and planning. In addition, the program provides a pathway for new and advancing planners to achieve the knowledge and mentor support needed to advance from beginning to expert planner.

Please review the qualifications for your appropriate certification below. Please ensure that you have meet all prerequisites for your level of certification before you apply.

Dairy Planner Certification Guidelines

Farm Planner Certification Guidelines

Riparian Planner Certification Guidelines

Click HERE to start your application process!

We are taking the first round of applications until December 31. Second round will be due June 30.

For questions, please contact: Nichole Embertson | (360) 526-2381 x 126

For more information visit: www.wactd.org

Training Event

The second session of the Riparian and Instream Considerations in Conservation Planning Course is almost here. This session is September 19 - 23 and will be held in Spokane, WA. This is a five day advanced training event that focuses on contributing factors associated with watershed processes, riparian inventory techniques, stream inventory techniques, livestock and animal waste management techniques and writing comprehensive riparian vegetation specifications. There are still spots open for this course.

For more information contact: James Weatherford | JWeatherford@thurstoncd.com | (360) 754-3588

To register: Please print the application form located HERE, fill out, scan, and email to: Jess Davenport | jdavenport@scc.wa.gov

Notes from the field

Greetings Friends and Colleagues,

Our 2016 training season is winding down as we begin the month of September. We have be busy with the following:

- The Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan Development (CNMP) Course was completed in August. Students submitted their final plans to Tracy Hanger with NRCS and these are currently being reviewed.

- The first session of the Riparian and Instream Considerations in Conservation Planning held in August at Olympia, WA is complete and went wonderful. There were 13 CD employees and 6 NRCS employees who attended this training.

- The Basic Conservation Planning Course (Basic Conservation Planner 3) will be completed in September. First session final plans are due September 7^th and second session final plans are due September 16^th.

- The second session of the Riparian and Instream Considerations in Conservation Planning will be held September 19-23 in Spokane, WA. Final preparations are being completed for this training event.

Planning is now underway for training events to be held in 2017. Trainings are developed based on data from the 2016 TNI. There will be a mix of CTD led and sponsored trainings, CTD/NRCS Core training events, and NRCS workshops/training events held around the state. Please look for more information as it becomes available. And a big thank you to all of those who completed the TNI.

Photo: Riparian & Instream Considerations in Conservation Planning course class at field site

We hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather and being safe in field!

Two Cultural Resources Exemption Lists

Just wanted to clarify that WSCC has two different cultural resource exemption lists for districts to use, if they choose to, that have different conservation practices listed on them. One list did not replace the other, but rather added additional practices that are eligible for exemption from further Cultural Resources review. Please note districts are not required to use either exemption list--it's their choice.

--The first list, "DHAP approved exemptions practice activity list August 2015" authorizes a district to determine if a conservation practice meets the identified conditions for an exemption from further cultural resource review.

--The second list the "archaeologists exempted practice list (February 2016)” list authorizes a district to use an exemption if a specific conservation practice at a specific location is recommended for exemption by a professional archaeologist. The professional archaeologist should base their recommendation on whether the specific conservation practice at the specific location meets the criteria shown on the "archaeologists exempted practice list (February 2016)”.

To save time and money a district can initially determine if the exemption criteria might apply for a specific practice to help them decide whether to even ask a professional archaeologist for recommendation.

If you use a professional archaeologist be sure to receive the written documentation of their recommendation to keep it in the district file with the other practice documents.

Have questions or concerns please contact Larry Brewer | lbrewer@scc.wa.gov | (360) 701-7859

Getting to Know You: District Highlight

District Name: Foster Creek Conservation District (FCCD)

District Size: 926 square miles

District Population: 13,157

Number of Employees: FCCD has 4 full time employees.

Main Programs:

• Biological Weed Control: Since 2001, a partnership with Washington State University (WSU) to combat noxious weeds using biological control agents in and around Douglas County.

• Farmed Smart Certifications: In partnership with the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association (PNDSA), Spokane CD, and Palouse CD. FCCD is assisting to complete 40 farm audits by October 2016.

• Voluntary Natural Resources Conservation Plan (VNRCP): In partnership with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the WA State Conservation Commission. FCCD will have 15 plans completed by December 2016, with an additional 15 by July 2017.

• Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP): A watershed-based process to protect five types of “critical habitat” areas within Douglas County, which are:

• Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, wetlands, frequently flooded areas, geologically hazardous areas, and critical aquifer recharge areas used for potable water.

Key Partners: Department of Ecology, Douglas County, Washington State Conservation Commission, Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Pacific Northwest District Seed Association.

Project / Program Most Proud of: Agricultural Best Management Practices (Direct Seed): FCCD implemented a Direct Seed program in July 2015, after receiving a Water Quality Grant from the Washington Department of Ecology (DOE). Twelve producers commenced a total of 2,587.4 new direct seed acres after signing up for the initial program, which runs 2016-2018. Cost-share assistance is provided to dryland producers in Douglas County and adjoining counties, enabling them to either rent direct seed equipment or have their parcel custom seeded. A second DOE Water Quality Grant, confirmed for 2017 – 2019 will increase the number of direct seed operators in the program from 12 to 24 participants. Each program includes a water quality monitoring component and a cost/benefit analysis report for participating producers. A soil testing and monitoring strategy t is introduced with the second grant that will enable FCCD and participants to track any changes in the soil relating to implementing a direct seed system. Multiple benefits of direct seeding include reduced soil loss, improved water quality, improved soil health, and reduced fuel and labor costs.

Fun Fact

Did you know...

There are no stop lights in the town of Waterville located in Douglas County. And given the town’s name, you would think we had abundant water in our region. However, only 1.66%of the entire county (1.2 million acres) is classified as visible (surface) water and 0.46% is classified riparian, with large trees and shrubs. Water resources are scarce and, therefore, extremely important in our county!

Featured Photo

District: Skagit Conservation District

Description: Estuary Restoration Project

To view more photos from Conservation Districts statewide please click HERE.