Planner says to opt in to Ruckelshaus law

After hearing nothing but support during a pair of public meetings last month, County Planner Alan Thomson recommended county commisisoners “opt in” to the state’s new Ruckelshaus rules.

The new rules allow counties to come up with boards that will set local priorities while regulating farming around environmentally-sensitive areas.

If the county does not opt in, it must revise its critical areas ordinances to ensure they are protected from agricultural activities.

Farming is currently allowed to take place anywhere in Whitman County, with no restrictions from deemed environmentally critical areas.

“It appears to be in the best interest of the public that Whitman County opt in to the Ruckelshaus Voluntary Stewardship Program,” Thomson said in his recommendation to commissioners.

Thomson said joining the Ruckelshaus program would allow the county to head off potential lawsuits from farmers and environmentalists that have riddled some local governments around the state.

Commissioners must decide by Jan. 22. They will have a public hearing on how to set up the local group and what areas should be prioritized on Jan. 3.

Thomson recommended the county’s program cover the entire county, with a special emphasis on the Snake River as a priority watershed.

Priority watersheds are identified under the program as areas the local group will pay particular attention in enhancing the condition of criticial areas.

Critical areas as eyed by the state are wetlands, aquifer recharge zones, flood plains, geologically hazardous areas and critical habitat areas.

Thomson said he considered the Palouse River as the priority watershed, but thought the Snake could have a better chance of garnering funding from the state.

“The Palouse is a drainage of the Snake, so it would just create a larger area,” said Commissioner Michael Largent.

Public Works Director Mark Storey said the salmon issues in the Snake would help net more funding.

The group that will assemble and govern the county’s Voluntary Stewardship Program will identify areas that need improvement and special protection and develop plans to make those improvments.

Those plans will be reviewed by a panel of state officials, who will then work with the Washington State Conservation Commission to acquire funding to implement projects.

Ron Shultz of the conservation commission told a group of farmers at a planning commission hearing Nov. 16 that the commission is already working to secure special consideration for federal funding through Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service programs.

The county would not have to craft its plan until it receives funding.

In the November meetings, officials with the state Farm Bureau and Cattelemen’s Association advocated the county “opt in.”

January’s meeting, said Thomson, will be critical in forming the governing group, which will also monitor habitat protection and enhancement efforts.

He suggested tapping area conservation districts and existing watershed planning groups for members.