Skagit County Natural Resource Stewardship Program Natural Resource

Skagit County Natural Resource Stewardship Program

Natural Resource Stewardship Program Ø Designed to fund small riparian, fencing and fish habitat restoration projects. Ø Directed at Skagit County watercourses in unincorporated areas that are either: l l on the 303(d) list for temperature, dissolved oxygen and/or fecal coliform deemed below state standards by Skagit County’s Water Quality Monitoring Program

General Information NRSP FUNDING PROVIDED BY: l l l Program is for 4 years Department of Ecology Centennial Clean Water Grant for $405, 000 Skagit County Clean Water Fund for $135, 000

NRSP PARTNERS: l Skagit Conservation District • Work with commercial agriculture l Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group • Work with hobby farms and others l Skagit County Public Works • Will be available to work with all These partners, along with County staff will provide: • Technical assistance and guidance for project development • Provide assistance for construction and maintenance of projects • Assist with outreach program

Basics Ø Assistance will be provided to help landowners develop proposals and apply for funding. Ø NRSP will work in conjunction with Skagit County GIS’s Riparian Mapping Program to locate streamside parcels that could benefit from riparian enhancement. Ø Proposals for funding would be screened by a review committee consisting of the SCD, Skagit County, SFEG, Fish and Wildlife, tribes and DOE. Ø Award winners will be given up to $10, 000 to complete project. Ø Skagit County shall monitor project sites at years 1 and 3 to ensure an 80% survival rate of plantings and proper maintenance has been completed. Ø The NRSP is basically a re-granting program with a robust education and outreach program.

Public Outreach -with partners and other participants Ø Mailings l Educational material • BMPS l l l Eligibility requirements How to apply Directed at target watersheds each year. Ø 3 Promotional and educational workshops Ø Website that contains downloadable information including the application.

Example Projects Riparian Enhancement Projects Grass filter strips Fencing Projects

Goals 1. Improve water quality in Skagit County streams. 2. Create a community consciousness and inspire landowners to participate in protecting and enhancing water quality for the benefit of all the citizens of Skagit County.

Goals Cont. 3. Enhance riparian forests by planting, maintaining and monitoring trees and associated understory on impaired streams. 4. Engage landowners, districts, business owners and community groups to complete projects and care for them in the long-run.

How will success be measured? 1. Linear feet of stream that are enrolled in program and restored. 2. Water quality benefits as measured by Department of Ecology and Skagit County’s water monitoring programs.

Thank You For more information please contact: Emily Derenne emilyjd@co. skagit. wa. us (360)336 -9400 I love clean cool water! Skagit County Public Works Water Resource Management Division