The Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners approved contracts on Monday to continue the county's participation in the state's Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) and to delegate implementation to the Walla Walla County Conservation District.
The board voted 3-0 to approve the contract between Walla Walla County and the Washington State Conservation Commission (K2629) and a separate interagency agreement between the county and the Conservation District that will let the district act as the county's technical lead for VSP implementation.
The Conservation District presented a biennial status report in the meeting describing program progress and updated goals that will appear in the five-year review cycle. Grace Cooper, the district's VSP coordinator, told commissioners the county's biennial report runs about 43 pages and the program focuses on two watersheds (WRIA 32, Walla Walla; WRIA 33, Lower Snake). The district said it will continue education, monitoring, and voluntary on-farm practices that protect critical areas while supporting agricultural viability.
The board also approved an amendment to contract K2629 that adds $40,000 for capital projects under the VSP work plan.
Why it matters: VSP is a voluntary, incentive-based alternative to stricter state critical-area regulation under the Growth Management Act. Counties that adopt VSP contract with the state and typically designate a local technical lead to carry out monitoring, outreach and projects that protect critical areas while supporting agriculture.
What commissioners heard: Grace Cooper and District Manager Renee Hadley summarized recent adaptive-management changes to the county's VSP work plan, including added analysis and goals for irrigation efficiency, vegetation-change analysis and fish-passage assessments. Cooper said the district will submit a five-year report in 2026 as part of the state review cycle.
Formal actions: Commissioners approved (1) the contract between Walla Walla County and the Washington State Conservation Commission for VSP implementation (K2629), (2) an interagency agreement between the Conservation District and the county to manage VSP activities locally, and (3) Amendment No. 1 to add $40,000 for capital projects. Each motion passed 3-0.
Next steps: The Conservation District will continue to implement the work plan, collect monitoring data, and return to the board as needed for project approvals or additional interagency coordination.