The Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) is an optional, incentive-based approach to protecting critical areas while promoting agriculture. The VSP is allowed under the Growth-Management Act as an alternative to traditional approaches to critical areas protection, such as “no touch” buffers. Yakima County is one of 27 counties that has “opted in” to VSP, and has formed a Work Group made up of Agricultural and Environmental stakeholders. The Work Group has developed the Work Plan that identifies program goals, monitoring and reporting that will ensure protection of critical areas and promote agricultural viability.

The North Yakima Conservation District (NYCD) is identified as a Technical Service Provider under the VSP Work Plan. The NYCD will be initiating the VSP in the WENAS WATERSHED in the next month. Our work will begin identifying potential landowners and providing them with specific information of how to voluntarily participate in VSP.