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PIONEERS IN CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM: 2005–2006 OVERVIEW More than 20 percent of the farmland in the Puget Sound region, greater than 100,000 acres, was lost to other uses between 1982 and 1997. Many of the salmon-bearing rivers in the region are bordered by farmland, highlighting the connection between farms and fish. The Puget Sound salmon recovery strategy makes supporting farmers a vital element of the plan to bring salmon back. The Plan proposes a “partnership for farms and salmon.” Farmers, environmentalists, and governments are working together to assure actions on private farms that improve and protect salmon habitat are encouraged in a way that also enhances the farm’s economic future.To help meet this goal, the Pioneers in Conservation grant program was launched in 2005. Over $600,000 in new grant funds was awarded to 17 groundbreaking conservation projects that recognize both agriculture and salmon need to prosper if both are to survive. KEY OBJECTIVES The Pioneers in Conservation program provides financial support specifically for salmon recovery projects that promote conservation and restoration on farms and small family forests. Pioneers in Conservation recognizes that restring salmon runs requires us to protect our agricultural land base while encouraging farmers to help fish. To achieve these objectives Pioneers in Conservation makes protection and restoration projects possible for farmers achieving "a partnership for salmon and farms." Pioneers in Conservation Grant Funding Grant funding is provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, the Tulalip Tribe, and Shared Strategy. In-kind support also comes from the Washington State Conservation Commission, Washington State Dairy Federation, Whatcom County Agriculture Preservation Committee, Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland, The Skagit Watershed Council, and American Farmland Trust. Pioneers in Conservation Grant Recipients Pioneers in Conservation grants have been awarded to the Whatcom Conservation District, Stewardship Partners, Clallam Conservation District, Skagit River System Cooperative, Drainage District #13, Northwest Chinook Recovery, Nisqually River Foundation, Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group, Nooksack Tribe, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, Western Washington Agricultural Association, and the Skagit Conservation District as part of the Shared Strategy for Puget Sound regional salmon recovery effort. Drainage District 13 Tidegate and Restoration Project- $60,900 Grant funding will be used to replace the Swan Trail Slough tide gate and pump with an intermediate system, and enhance riparian habitat by removing invasive species and planting native vegetation. “This project (Drainage District 13 tide gate and restoration) creates a great community partnership between farmers, environmentalists, Tribes, and others who care about both salmon and farming,” said Dale Reiner, a Snohomish County farmer. “By helping both farms and salmon, it shows how, rather than being the problem, viable, successful farms are a necessary solution for restoring salmon runs.” California Creek Rehabilitation Project - $32,200 Whatcom Conservation District will use grant funds to improve water quality, enhance instream and riparian habitat, and improve fish access along California Creek by installing livestock exclusion fencing, removing three culverts, planting native vegetation, and constructing a bridge to replace a degraded stream crossing. Bertrand Creek Levee Project - $71,000 The Nooksack Tribe will coordinate with Whatcom County to use grant funds to purchase a conservation easement to widen the floodplain of Bertrand Creek and restore natural channel migration processes as part of a larger effort involving levee setbacks and riparian plantings. “Whatcom County farmers and salmon are both struggling as growth competes for resource lands. Pioneering projects like these by the Nooksack Tribe and the Conservation District are great examples of how we can save them both,” said Whatcom County Executive Pete Kremen. “The futures of fish and farms squarely depend on each other.” Groeneveld Slough Project - $45,000 Northwest Chinook Recovery will increase productivity in an off-channel slough of the Skykomish River by installing LWD, porous weirs, grade control structures, and cottonwood boles, flood fences, and riparian buffers. This project will reduce erosion, loss of fields, and woody deposits on the neighboring dairy farm. Wilcox Farm Riparian Restoration & Restoration Planting - $55,780 Grant funds will be used by the Nisqually River Foundation to improve riparian and off-channel habitat along the Nisqually River by installing livestock exclusion fencing and replanting five acres of riparian forest. This project will provide additional protection for eroding farmed fields, and enhance Wilcox Farm’s “Salmon-Safe” certification application. Skagit Drainage and Fish Initiative - $80,625 The Skagit River System Cooperative will help establish agreements between Drainage Districts and The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to allow districts to maintain drainage infrastructure while protecting fish from maintenance activities. Funding will also be utilized to improve instream and riparian habitat by implementing specific provisions of the Drainage District Agreements. “This project (Skagit Drainage and Fish Initiative) is a first step toward building a lasting partnership between fisheries and agricultural interests in a way that strives to conserve our natural resources,” said Steve Hinton from the Skagit River System Cooperative and one of the project sponsors. “This is just one example of some of the ways where the tribes and the agricultural community are coming together to help achieve mutual goals.” Dungeness River Irrigation Water Conservation Project - $99,190 Clallam Conservation District will use grant funds to improve water quality and increase in-stream flows in the Dungeness River by converting two open irrigation ditches to buried pipelines, eliminating livestock access, and treating contaminated drainage at a site that uses fungus to treat contaminated water. Piping both water delivery systems will facilitate more efficient and effective management of irrigation water for participating farmers. Fishtrap Creek Habitat and Flood Integration Project - $12,360 NSEA will work with a local farmer to improve channel complexity, flood conveyance, and riparian habitat along Fish Trap Creek by removing reed canary grass, placing LWD, and planting 1,200 feet of riparian buffers. Completion of project activities will improve drainage of the adjacent farmland and reduce the need for routine dredging. Snoqualmie “Salmon Safe” Farm Habitat Restoration Project - $68,000 Stewardship Partners will use grant funds to work with numerous farmers to restore and enhance over three miles of riparian habitat, improve connectivity between the Snoqualmie River and an off-channel habitat area, stabilize stream banks, and remove a fish barrier as part of the "Salmon-Safe" certification program. “This is an exciting time for salmon recovery in King County. The Salmon-Safe Farm project is just one more example of the great progress local communities are making by working together for a shared future,” said King County Executive Ron Sims and member of the Shared Strategy Development Committee. “Unique approaches like this are what’s needed to turn the conditions around for both farmers and fish.” Nookachamps Creek Riparian Restoration on Devries Farm - $25,700 Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group will work with a local farmer to enhance riparian habitat along Nookachamps Creek by restoring fencing and planting native riparian buffers along 1,200 feet of riparian zone. This project complements and expands previous restoration efforts undertaken by the farmer in the past. Campbell Creek Wetlands Habitat Enhancement and Drainage Preservation Project - $18,000 The Whatcom Conservation District will improve riparian and wetland habitat along Campbell Creek by constructing 2,500 feet of side channel and elevated planting mounts, and planting over 9,000 native trees and shrubs through enrollment in CREP. This project allows for the storage of winter water for aquifer recharge and summer flow without impacting the drainage of agricultural lands. Interstate 5/Big Ditch Riparian Hedgerow Planting Pilot Program - $25,300 The Skagit Conservation District will enhance instream and riparian habitat along Big Ditch by removing reed canary grass and planting a vegetation hedgerow along over 3,000 feet of stream bank. These activities will increase flood storage capacity for farmers and reduce the frequency in which the Drainage District must mow and dredge the ditch. Nielsen Culvert Replacement Project - $6,600 NSEA will work with a local farmer to improve fish passage and farm equipment access, and reduce maintenance on the Nielsen Farm by replacing an undersized culvert on Caron Creek with one that will allow for passage by various wildlife. New Haskell Slough Ponds - $43,000 Northwest Chinook Recovery will clear a blockage of sand to improve fish passage and construct a new 1-acre pond to encourage salmon access and improve irrigation and stock watering. Butler Flats Habitat Project - $49,941 The Skagit River System Cooperative will improve floodwater conveyance, replace undersized culverts, expand and enhance the 2-year available floodplain at the confluence of Thomas Creek with the Samish River, and establish a riparian corridor in cooperation with Drainage District #14. No Name Slough Habitat and Drainage Enhancement - $50,000 The Western Washington Agricultural Association will enhance streamflows, provide shading of the creek, and reduce flooding of adjacent farmlands on a tributary to the Skagit River by converting unused farmland adjacent to the slough to an off-channel wetland, planting a riparian hedgerow, and replacing an undersized culvert with a lightweight bridge. Ames Creek Restoration with Salmon-Safe Farms - $24,333 Stewardship Partners will restore 1,000 feet of the Snoqualmie River and restore vegetation along 3,000 feet of drainage ditches and side channels, resulting in Salmon-Safe certification for participating farms. For further information about this program, contact: Don Stuart |
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