VIEW IN YOUR BROWSER

APRIL 2022 

In this issue:

• Draft VSP Policy Advisory is available for comment - due May 2
• SAC is seeking an environmental representative 
• Changes at WDFW 
• Equipment purchases using VSP funding - get the form!
• VSP cost-share reminders
• Mark your calendar! the next Monitoring Symposium is on Apr. 27!
• Don't forget your OPMA training
• Do you have new workgroup members?

Upcoming Events

Quarterly Reports Due

Don't forget! Your VSP quarterly report is due on Apr. 10!

Joint Technical Panel & SAC Meeting

Apr. 14, 2022 @ 9 a.m.

Meeting ID: 859 7490 0192

Passcode: 434300

Draft Policy Advisory Available for Comment

In conjunction with the state agencies of the VSP Technical Panel and the members of the SAC, SCC has been working on a policy advisory to assist county workgroups and VSP technical service providers with VSP adaptive management. 

The policy advisory was prompted by the Commission's feedback last fall during the five-year reporting process that more structure was needed around the adaptive management process in statute. 

• The policy advisory is available for comment until COB May 2. 
• The draft VSP Policy Advisory #07-22 Adaptive Management in the VSP can be downloaded here or found on the SCC's VSP policy advisory page. 

Please email any comments to Bill Eller, VSP Coordinator. Those wishing to make comments in another format should contact Bill before May 2.

After the comment period is closed, SCC staff will integrate comments before the final adoption at a joint Tech Panel & SAC meeting on May 12.

Click on the picture or find the draft policy here. Please send comments to Bill Eller. 

SAC Seeking an Environmental Representative

An essential part of the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) is the Statewide Advisory Committee (SAC), appointed by the director of the State Conservation Commission (SCC).

The SAC comprises environmental, agricultural, and county members, and tribal representation is also sought. The SAC serves to advise the director of SCC on a variety of policy and programmatic aspects of VSP. 

SCC is currently seeking an environmental representative to serve on the SAC. The term is for two years. Meetings are generally held every month or every other month. Members serve as volunteers to help SCC achieve the goals of VSP, which include protecting critical areas while maintaining agricultural viability. 

More information on the SAC can be found on SCC’s VSP web page. If interested in serving, please contact Ron Shultz.

Changes at WDFW

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s representation on the VSP Technical Panel has changed.

The previous representative, Mary Huff, has transitioned employment. In her place, Tom O’Brien will serve as the acting Technical Panel representative until Mary’s position is filled.

Tom oversees the Ecosystem Services Division, which includes WDFW’s work on land use conservation and policy, forest health and stewardship, and the Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) program.

You can meet Tom at the upcoming statewide VSP meetings, where he will be working with WDFW’s VSP Coordinator to continue supporting the VSP community.

For VSP matters in your county, please continue to work with your local habitat biologist and WDFW’s VSP Coordinator.

WDFW contact info:

• Tom O’Brien: thomas.obrien@dfw.wa.gov
• Sean Williams, VSP Coordinator: sean.williams@dfw.wa.gov

VSP Funding for Equipment Purchases

The local workgroup must approve equipment purchases over $1,000 at an open public meeting. Before purchasing, a form must be filled out and approved or denied by SCC VSP staff. 

Some questions related to the purchase before SCC approval can be made include:

• description of the equipment,
• cost,
• identify, list, and explain how each work plan goal(s) and/or benchmark(s) that the purchase will meet,
• has the watershed workgroup given its permission and approval,
• supporting documents for the purchase.

VSP Cost Share Program

If your County workgroup decides to use VSP funding to implement the County’s approved plan, here are a couple of reminders by following the link below.

Next Monitoring Symposium

Mark your calendar!

The next VSP Monitoring Symposium (Spring 2022) will be Wednesday, Apr. 27 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Click on the button below to see the full announcement.

Open Public Meetings Act

VSP workgroup meetings are open public meetings under the Open Public Meetings Act, RCW Chapter 42.30. 

That means all volunteer members of the workgroup will need to be familiar with the act and should undergo the attorney general’s open public meetings act training.

Don't forget that a refresher training is required for all members every four years.

New Workgroup Members?

Do you have new members? It is important that they take the OPMA training described above.  Also, work group members should review the county VSP webpages and SCC’s VSP pages. . 

Don't forget that new members should be trained in what their role is and how their county work group operates. You can find the most information related the day-to-day operations on the VSP implementation page. 

Subscribe!

Not a newsletter subscriber? 

Sign up here and choose the subscription for the “Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP)” under the Programs and Policy tab.

If you have any questions please contact Bill Eller or Paige DeChambeau.

Copyright 2022 - Washington State Conservation Commission