Written by Aaron Rosenblum, Jan 9, 2019
The Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) provides a non-regulatory, incentive-based method of critical area protection on lands that intersect agricultural activities. VSP is an alternative to the traditional method to protect critical areas, which is to enforce regulations adopted under Critical Area Ordinances of the Growth Management Act (GMA). The five critical areas the GMA identifies are: (1) fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas (2) wetlands (3) geologically hazardous areas (4) frequently flooded areas (5) areas with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water.
Tree fruit growers of Douglas County, this program affects you! Want to learn more? Foster Creek Conservation District, in conjunction with the VSP work group, will be available at the following events to meet you and answer your VSP questions:
- Tree Fruit Days (apple and cherry days) at the Wenatchee Convention Center. Come see our booth and visit us during the luncheons.
- Douglas County VSP kick-off workshop on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 from 2:00-3:30 pm at the Douglas County PUD auditorium located at 1151 Valley Mall Pkwy, East Wenatchee, WA 98802. (RSVPs appreciated but not required)
More information and resources for producers can be found online at http://www.fostercreekcd.org/programs/voluntary-stewardship-program/
Questions and to RVSP, Contact
Douglas County VSP Coordinator
509-423-5990 (cell), 509-888-6376 (office).
“Volunteer or voluntold, how do you like your agriculture?”