County to Take Testimony Re: Voluntary Agricultural Stewardship Program

From San Juan County Planning and Development Department

Public Hearing Tuesday Dec. 13 at County Legislative Building in Friday Harbor

San Juan County is currently deciding whether to participate in or opt-out of the State’s Voluntary Agricultural Stewardship Program (VSP) that was developed as part of ESHB 1886. The Ruckelshaus Center led the statewide negotiations that resulted in this new legislation establishing a new alternative for managing the potential impacts of farming on critical areas in Washington.

Each county must decide by January 22, 2012 if they wish to participate in this program as part of their compliance with the requirements of the Growth Management Act (GMA).

The VSP allows for agricultural planning in San Juan County to occur at the watershed scale. The VSP is an alternative way for those conducting agricultural activities in critical areas or their buffers to continue doing so without having to meet all of the standard Critical Areas Ordinance requirements in effect in the county. This alternative provides for tools such as farm plans and implementing Best Management Practices to achieve the “No Net Loss” standard required by the GMA.

The San Juan County Community Development & Planning Department has been working with the Agricultural Resources Committee to understand the costs and benefits of participation in the VSP, and to convey this information to the County Council.

The County Council will accept public testimony at a meeting on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 in the Legislative Hearing Room (55 Second Street, Friday Harbor). Council action on this matter is scheduled for public hearing on January 10, 2012.

State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Review: an Environmental Checklist for the proposed decision was reviewed, and it was determined that participation in the VSP will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment, and an environmental impact statement is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). Under WAC 197-11-340(2) a Determination of Non-Significance was issued on November 21, 2011. Comments on this determination must be submitted by December 14, 2011. Following a final decision, this determination may be appealed with the underlying action to Superior Court or State Boards as provided in RCW 36.70A, RCW 90.58, and RCW 36.70C. For appeals to Superior Court the appeal period is 21 days and, for appeals to the Growth Management Hearings Board, the appeal period is 60 days.

Copies of House Bill 1886, the SEPA Checklist and Determination, and associated documents are available at the San Juan County CD&P Department and will be mailed on request. If you have questions about the VSP or would like copies of the SEPA materials, please contact Janice Biletnikoff, AICP, San Juan County CD&P, PO Box 947, Friday Harbor, WA, 98250, (360) 370-7572, or janiceb@sanjuanco.com.

Written comments may be submitted in advance of the public hearing by mail or at the hearing by delivery in person. Please deliver 10 copies of all written comments to the Clerk of the San Juan County Council at 55 Second Street, Friday Harbor or mail to 355 Court Street#1, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. The resolution is filed at the Office of the County Council, 55 Second Street, Friday Harbor, WA and may be inspected and copies obtained at the Council offices during each business day between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.