Opting in to the Voluntary Stewardship Program

Opting in to the Voluntary Stewardship Program

I’m Lacy Gray, Washington Ag Today is next.

Counties will have through January 22 to decide whether or not they will opt into the VSP program. Jack Field with the Washington Cattlemen’s Association explains the VSP program and why it’s important.

FIELD: The Voluntary Stewardship Program, also known as VSP is a direct result of legislative activities over the past four or five years that would do three things that we’re trying to do. Number one - maintain and enhance the viability of agriculture in Washington, two - protect and enhance the critical areas, and three - provide shield for litigation for our counties.

The VSP program is focused on incentives not regulation.

FIELD: The VSP is focused on utilizing incentives to achieve outcomes and goals that are set by a diverse set of stakeholders within a watershed be it agriculture, tribal, and environmental representatives who will work together to establish goals and benchmarks for a specific watershed. We in agriculture obviously believe that the best way to achieve success in environmental enhancements and protections is through incentives not regulations.

Counties that opt in to the VSP program will develop specific goals and benchmarks for specific watersheds and upon approval and adequate state funding will be able to implement their programs. If they do not opt in a county will then have to update their Critical Areas Ordinance to regulate agricultural activities.

I’m Lacy Gray and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Ag Information Network.