Voluntary Stewardship Program Checklist

(5-10 minute survey)


Washington’s Growth Management Act required all counties to identify and protect critical areas, either through state regulations or a Voluntary Stewardship Plan. Each year, agricultural producers protect and enhance critical areas voluntarily with and without government support. Data from this checklist will summarize our county's conservation efforts and minimize the chance of increased regulations in the future.


As you fill out the checklist, please include information about projects you completed on your own and projects that were supported through government programs in an average year.


Okanogan Conservation District does not include individual information in any reports unless permission is granted by the producer. Data is reported as a summary of activities completed within a watershed (Okanogan River, Methow River, etc.)


Visit Okanogan CD's web page for more information on VSP:

 
 
 
 

Soil Management

Protect and enhance soil health and prevent soil erosion

 
 
 
 

Definition: Applying plant residues or other suitable materials to the land surface.

 

Water Management

Protect surface water quality and efficient use of water

 

Definition: The process of determining and controlling the volume, frequency, and application rate of irrigation water.

 
 

Definition: Monitoring and maintaining irrigation pumps to maximize efficiency.

 
 

Nutrient Management

Prevent impacts to surface and groundwater

 
 
 
 

Range Management

Improve forage for livestock and habitat for wildlife

 
 
 

Definition: A watering facility stores or provides drinking water to livestock or wildlife.

 
 

Definition: Control animal access to surface water

 
 

Habitat Management

Improve wildlife habitat while conducting agricultural activities

 

Definition: Conservation cover is establishing and maintaining

perennial vegetative cover to protect soil and water

resources on the lands.

 

Definition: Establishing permanent vegetation on erosion sites or sites that have conditions that prevent vegetation from growing with normal seeding methods.

 

Definition: Maintain, improve or restore physical, chemical and biological functions of a stream, and its associated

riparian zone, necessary for meeting the life history requirements of desired aquatic species.

 
 

Definition: Establishing woody plants by planting seedlings or cuttings, direct seeding, or natural regeneration.

 
 
 
 

Definition: Structure placed at water diversion to protect fish from entering irrigation channels.

 

Definition: Fence that keeps cattle out of critical areas and prevents cattle from degrading wildlife habitat.

 

Pest Management

 
 

Other Stewardship Practices

 
 
 

The data from monitoring will be used in a report to the state to show the protection of critical areas on agricultural lands.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Thank you for participating in Okanogan County's Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP).

While VSP reporting does not include identifiable data, some information shared to the Okanogan Conservation District may be disclosed upon request under RCW 42.56.