Commission set to pass Ruckelshaus rules

Gazette Reporters

The illness of Whitman County Commissioner Michael Largent Tuesday prevented the county’s decision to “opt in” to new rules to govern farming around environmentally-sensitive areas.

Commissioner Greg Partch said at a hearing Tuesday night commissioners will vote, and likely join, the state’s new Ruckelshaus program next Monday.

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

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

Several area farmers and landowners spoke in favor of signing onto the program Tuesday night.

The Ruckelshaus rules means the county must assemble a board to govern the county’s Voluntary Stewardship Program, which will identify areas that need improvement and special protection. The board would also 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.

“I believe it’s better for our farms because it puts farming and farms at a maintain-or-enhance level,” said Lamont area farmer Art Swannack.

County Planner Alan 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.

“I don’t see how the county could lose on this at all,” said David Stueckle of Dusty.

Commissioners must decide by Jan. 22.

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 where 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.

The county would not have to craft its plan until it receives funding from the state Conservation Commission.

Mary Rosen of the Palouse Conservation District and Kimberly Morse of the Whitman Conservation District expressed their agencies’ support Tuesday night.

“I see it as a win-win for the county and the landowners and the resource,” said Rosen.

Morse said the local focus of the program would allow the VSP board to use local knowledge and expertise in crafting an improvement plan.