Goals of VSP

Young green grass sprouts growing in tilled soil in a field, with a line of trees in the distance under a clear sky.

Promote plans that:

  • Protect and enhance critical areas where agricultural activities are conducted

  • Maintain and improve the long-term viability of agriculture

  • Reduce the conversion of farmland to other uses

Utilize voluntary incentive programs to promote effective riparian and ecosystem strategies as an alternative to traditional approaches for protecting critical areas.

Use existing resources and programs (local, county, state, and federal) to the maximum extent practicable to achieve program goals

Encourage and foster a spirit of cooperation and partnership among county, tribal, environmental, and agricultural interests to better assure program success.

Improve compliance with other laws designed to protect water quality and fish habitat

Rely on voluntary stewardship actions as the primary method of protecting critical areas and not require the cessation of agricultural activities

Scenic view of rolling green hills, trees, a winding river, and a partly cloudy sky in the countryside.

Whitman County Workgroup

A Whitman County VSP Work Plan was developed by the VSP Work Group, a group of local agriculture and environmental stakeholders. These stakeholders meet to review the successful implementation of the Work Plan.

See RCW 36.70A.720 for a complete list of duties of the Work Group and requirements for the VSP Work Plan.

The Whitman County VSP Work Group meets periodically throughout the year, and all meetings are open to local landowners, farmers, and ranchers.

All work group meeting notices are posted to the Events page.

A wooden covered bridge crossing over a river in a lush green valley with trees and hills in the background.

VSP Process Flow Chart

  • Funding is provided from Local VSP Workgroup in 2017

  • VSP Work Group develops Work Plan - The plan identifies critical areas and agricultural activities and includes measurable benchmarks for program.

  • Work plan reviewed by the State VSP Technical Panel upon approval, sent to VSP work Group for implementation.

  • VSP Work Group implements the work plan focus on outreach conducted with landowners to develop farm plans protecting critical areas.

  • VSP Work Group must report on progress every 5 years - must show progress on benchmarks or implement adaptive management strategies.

Whitman County VSP Overview and Checklist