Visit KCCD on the web at kccd.net - Kittitas County Conservation ...

Kittitas County
Conservation District
The Kittitas County Conservation District has been
in operation for seven decades. In reviewing the
istory and activities over that time, the District has
orked to establish and maintain partnerships with
ll sorts of groups and agencies. It’s no wonder, given
hat the function of a district is “To seek out all manner
f technical, financial and educational resources and
oordinate or focus them to meet the needs of local
and managers working to conserve soil, water, and
elated natural resources”.
Partnerships Key to District Success
A Continuation of <strong>KCCD</strong>’s 70th Anniversary
Serving
Landowners in
Kittitas County
Since 1942
Office location:
607 E Mountain View Avenue
Ellensburg, WA 98926 Phone: (509) 925-8585 ext. 4 Fax: (509) 925-8591 Website: www.kccd.net
April 2012
Volume IX Issue II
onservation Districts nationwide were formed
n response to a need to establish local interest
nd involvement in the work of the USDA Soil
onservation Service (SCS). The SCS conducted
emonstration projects in watersheds all across the
ountry and when conservation districts were formed,
hose demonstration projects transformed from a
overnment operation to the local implementation
ith technical support from the SCS employees. So,
CS (now the Natural Resources Conservation Service
r NRCS) is the District’s oldest partner agency. Most
istricts are co-located with NRCS staff and work
ogether to provide technical and financial assistance
o landowners and land managers. NRCS currently Russ Vance (SCS conservationist ), Homer Beedle (Outstanding young farmer) and Lafe Penkert (ASC Committee)
as a staff of three in Kittitas County, including Kara
arter (soil conservationist), Erin Kreutz (forestry) and Sarah Troutman-Zahn (rangeland). This compliments the District staff, including Sara
eist (financial manager), Suzanne Wade (GIS specialist), Sherry Swanson (project manager), Mark Crowley (resource technician ll) Brent
ixon (resource technician), Ryan Roberts (engineer) and Anna Lael (district manager).
n Kittitas County, the formation of the District in 1942 involved the WSU Extension agent. In some places, the extension agents opposed the
ormation of districts, seeing them as competition. Not so in Kittitas County. W.O. Passmore, the WSU Extension agent at the time, attended
he public hearings and talked in favor of forming the district. He met with the newly formed Board and discussed at great length the
eeds of the local farmers and how best the District could address those needs. Today, WSU Extension partners with the District to provide
ducational opportunities, to gather data, to work with landowners and to coordinate resources.
he District has also fostered partnerships with various state agencies for specific projects and larger programs. For example, the District is
urrently working with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to implement fuels reduction projects. DNR is providing matching funds
nd technical support for projects on private forestlands. The District is also working with local fire districts as the projects are developed,
rioritized and implemented.

Kittitas County Conservation District April 2012 Newsletter Page 2 of 8
Manastash Reach
The Kittitas County Conservation District is beginning a Reach
Assessment for Manastash Creek. We have talked with individual
andowners and Kittitas County Public Works for the last couple of
ears about specific projects or problem areas on the creek. After
ast May’s flood event, it became apparent that a larger scale, long
erm plan is needed for the creek and the floodplain. Before a plan
an be completed, an assessment and inventory of existing data and
xisting conditions must be conducted. This work is referred to as a
each assessment.
he District had an opportunity to convert an existing funding
ource so that it could be used for a reach assessment. It took some
ime to gain approval from the granting agency and that was finally
ccomplished in late January. The grant expires in less than a year, so
ork must begin quickly. The District has already advertised for conultants
and is currently in the process of selecting a firm to conduct
he work. The District has also convened a technical work group that
ncludes state, federal and tribal fisheries interests, as well as Kittitas
ounty Public Works. This group will provide technical input as the
ssessment moves forward.
anastash landowners are being invited to participate in a
andowner Committee that will also provide input as the Reach
ssessment progresses. Letters were mailed to over 180 landowners
n the Manastash watershed, whose names and addresses were taken
rom the Tax Parcel information maintained by the Kittitas County
ssessor’s office. Any landowner/land manager in the Manastash
s welcome to participate in this committee. An active Landowner
Committee is essential to the completion of an accurate assessment
and to produce a viable action plan. The District is assembling an
e-mail list for the Landowner Committee. E-mail the District at a-lael@
conservewa.net. Interested landowners who do not use e-mail may
call the District office and request that paper copies of landowner
committee meetings be mailed to them.
In addition to the Landowner Committee, the District plans to
hold at least two public meetings during the course of the Reach
Assessment. These meetings are intended to provide information
on the progress of the Reach Assessment and to solicit input from
the landowners, the public and interested parties. We also have
a webpage (http://kccd.net/ManastashReach.htm) dedicated to
this work on our website. <strong>Visit</strong> this site anytime for information on
current work, planned work, meetings and other business related to
the Reach Assessment.
Additional funding sources for this work are currently being sought
through the Washington Conservation Commission and the US
Bureau of Reclamation.
This is an exciting opportunity to conduct an assessment and
better understand the creek and the watershed and to use that
understanding to craft a plan and vision for the Manastash. Please
call (509) 925-8585 ext. 4 or stop by the office if you have questions
or would like more information.

Kittitas County Conservation District April 2012 Newsletter Page 3 of 8
Annual Meeting
ach year, the <strong>KCCD</strong> holds an Annual Meeting and dinner to
review activities and accomplishments and to recognize those
ndividuals who have contributed significantly to improve natural
esource conditions in our District. For 2011, landowners were
onored for their work with fish screening and fish passage, livestock
pring improvement projects, and wildland fuels reduction projects;
even volunteers and the WSU Master Gardeners were honored
or their time and commitment to the Roy & Marge Bach Memorial
onservation Plant Sale.
Plant Sale Volunteers
(1) Jonelle Bull
(2) Darlene Carlton
(3) Mel Shenyer
(4) WSU Master Gardeners
(5) Betty Cervine
(6) Brent Reitmeier
(7) Ken Titus
(8) Crystal Kossow
Conservation Awards
(1) Russ Stingley for his work on the spring improvements in the
Vantage, Parke Creek and Whiskey Jim pastures – all of which are on
state lands.
(2) Don Jacobs, Brian Sims, and Tom Bull for their dedication to
and patience with the Cherry Creek diversion modification project.
(3) Chief Russ Hobbs from Fire District #7, for his dedication and
cooperation to the success of our Firewise Program.
(4) Chuck Turbak, of the Wagon Wheel community in the Middle
Fork Teanaway area for his personal efforts to coordinate the Firewise
activities with all the residents.
At the <strong>KCCD</strong> Annual Dinner- Left to Right: Brent Reitmeier, Krystal Kossow, Ken Titus, Russ Hobbs,
Brian Sims, Russ Stingley, and Chuck Turbak
Kittitas County Conservation District
Board of Supervisors
Mark Moore - Chair (Elected - term expires in 2013)
Lynn Brown - Vice Chair (Appointed - term expires in 2014)
Jeff Brunson - Auditor (Elected - term expires in 2015)
Bill Boyum - Member (Appointed - term expires in 2013)
Ron Gibb - Member (Elected - term expires in 2014)
District Staff
Anna Lael - District Manager
Sara Leist - Financial Manager
Suzanne Wade - GIS Specialist
Mark Crowley - Resource Technician II
Ryan Roberts - District Engineer
Sherry Swanson - Project Manager
Brent Dixon - Resource Technician
Board meetings are generally held on the second
Thursday of each month. The schedule for the rest of
the year:
May 10 7:00 AM
June 14 7:00 AM
July 12 7:00 AM
August 9 7:00 AM
Meeting notices are also posted on the <strong>KCCD</strong> web page
and at the <strong>KCCD</strong> office. Additional special meetings
are occasionally held throughout the year. For more
information or to receive e-mail notifications of
meetings, contact Anna or Sara at 925-8585 ext 4 or
sara-leist@conservewa.net.
Keep up with current activities! Follow our blog
http://kittitascd.blogspot.com/
or follow us on Facebook!

Kittitas County Conservation District April 2012 Newsletter Page 4 of 8
Soil Erosion Concerns Lead to Conservation District
Formation
oil erosion was studied by the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Office of Experiment Stations beginning in 1903
with the goal of devising means for reducing erosion. Experimental
work on soil erosion under field crops occurred first at the Missouri
Agricultural Experiment Station in 1917 and then in Texas and
Oklahoma in the 1920’s.
Hugh Hammond Bennett, often referred to as the father of soil
conservation, co-wrote a USDA bulletin called “Soil Erosion: A National
Menace” in 1928. That convinced Congress to obligate funds to set up
federal-state cooperative soil erosion experiment stations beginning
1930. Initially there were 10, one of which was location in Pullman
near Washington State College (now WSU). In fact this was the only
station west of the Rockies. The original focus of the research at the
station was to determine the causes of runoff and water erosion and
Members of the Board of Supervisors
R.L. Rutter Jr. 1942 - 1950 Paul Harrel 1957 - 1964
Alan Rogers 1942 - 1945 Ernie Giustetti 1959 - 1964
Rufus Schnebly 1942 - 1945 Keith Lowe 1959 - 1961
Jesse Newman 1942 - 1945 Robert Dodge 1960 - 1981
Mike Schorman 1942 - 1945 Francis “Bud” Clerf 1960 - 1984
Fred Adams 1945 - 1952 Chet Haralson 1961 - 1964
M.C. Knoke 1945 - 1951 Henry Sorensen 1961 - 1968
Melvin Lerfald 1945 - 1954 Richard Riegel 1962- 1965
Henry Schnebly 1945 - 1958 John Roseburg 1962 - 1964
R.Y Baker 1947 - 1964 Gerald Thomas 1964 - 1971
Tom Newton 1947 - 1962 Loel Knudson 1964 - 1967
Fred Cushing 1947- Kenneth Hartman 1965 - 1980
Steve Bednar 1947- Charles E. Wright 1968 - 1977
Otto Cooper 1947 - Rob Acheson 1970 - 1973
Andy Larson 1948 - 1951 Roy Thomas 1971 - 1977
Fred Hanson 1950 - 1956 Bob Gregerich 1972 - 1979
(E.K.) Ivan Nicolaisen 1951 - 1954 Steve Rosbach 1977 - 1983
Ralph Charlton Jr. 1952 - 1964 John Hanson 1979 - 2000
Phillip B. Kern 1952 - 1954 Craig Schnebly 1980 - 1992
Robert Roseburg 1953 - Clarence Harrell 1981 - 2002
Charles Landis 1953 - 1964 Ron McIrvin 1983 - 1986
Bob Ballard 1953 - Dale Dyk 1986 - 2010
N.N Eaton 1954 - 1960 Mark Moore 1990 - 2013
Joe Dwyer 1954 - 1957 Bob Haberman 1983 - 2002
Howard Sorensen 1954 - 1957 Lynn Brown 2002 - 2014
G.H Steigleder 1955 - 1956 Carl Harrell 2002 - 2005
John J. Sorensen 1956 - 1959 Jeff Brunson 2003 - 2015
Gene Wade 1956 - 1961 Ron Gibb 2005 - 2014
Fountain Alloway 1957 - 1959 William Boyum 2010 - 2013
May 28, 1937; Deposits of soil in an irrigation lateral that drifted from the adjoining wheat fiel
Dooley farm, 22 miles southeast of Ellensburg
to identify the most effective and practical methods of mitigating
the loss of soil and water from the steep hill slopes of the Palouse
region.
Congress established the new Soil Erosion Service (SES) in 1933
and gave Bennett $5 million to carry out some soil conservation
projects. Bennett selected projects and located watersheds near
erosion experiment stations so that the directors of the stations
could utilize the research information. In Washington State,
there were projects in South Palouse, Badger Pocket, Wiley City,
Cashmere, and Goldendale. Farmers in the watersheds signed fiveyear
cooperative agreements to install conservation measures. The
SES furnished equipment, seed, seedlings, assistance in planning
the measures, and labor from the Civilian Conservation Corps or the
Works Projects Administration.
Efforts continued in Washington D.C. to make the SES permanent.
In the early 1930s, along with the greatest depression this nation
ever experienced, came an equally unparalleled ecological disaster
known as the Dust Bowl. In 1935, on Capitol Hill, while testifying

Kittitas County Conservation District April 2012 letter Page 5 of 8
M. L. Wilson, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture and former Extension
Agent from Montana, conceived of a conservation district, a
governmental subdivision of the state, which the local people would
organize. The directors or supervisors of the district would be elected
or appointed and would direct the activities concerning soil and
water conservation within the district. The federal government could
supply equipment and technical assistance through trained soil
conservation personnel. President Franklin D. Roosevelt endorsed
the proposal and sent the Standard State Soil Conservation Districts
Law to governors of the states in 1937, with the recommendation
that the state legislatures enact a law based upon it.
d. The six-inch high stand of wheat did not prevent blowing on this shallow rocky soil. Francis
about the erosion problem, Hugh Hammond Bennett threw back
the curtains to reveal a sky blackened by dust. In 1935 Congress
passed Public Law 74-46, in which it recognized that “the wastage
of soil and moisture resources on farm, grazing, and forest lands
. . . is a menace to the national welfare” and established the Soil
Conservation Service (SCS) as a permanent agency in the USDA.
Congress unanimously declared soil and water conservation a
national policy and priority. [The SCS was renamed the Natural
Resources Conservation Service in 1994]
After the passage of the act some people began to examine the
best approach to get farmers interested in soil conservation. Under
the demonstration projects, the government had supplied not only
trained people to give advice, but also some equipment to do the
work, and the labor of the CCC, the WPA and supplies. Obviously,
such labor would not always be available. If the work were to spread
nationwide and have an impact on the way people farmed, farmers
would be more interested and involved in planning and carrying
out of the work.
Washington State passed the law in 1939 as Revised Code of
Washington 89.08 –Conservation Districts Law. A state Soil
Conservation Committee was immediately formed. The committee
included two members appointed by the Governor, one of whom
was John Faust of Ellensburg.
With the opportunity now open, conservation districts began
forming across the state. The Kittitas Soil Conservation District was
the 16th in the state, after districts formed in Whitman, Grays Harbor,
Asotin, Okanogan, Yakima, Wahkiakum, Klickitat, Skamania, Walla
Walla, Douglas, Yakima, Grant, Snohomish and Stevens counties.
There were often multiple districts in each county and some that
crossed county boundaries. At its peak, there were 78 districts across
the state. Today, there are 47 and most follow county boundaries.
What is a Conservation District?
A conservation district is a political sub-division of the State.
Districts are governed by a five member Board of Supervisors.
Three Board members are elected locally and two are appointed
by the Washington State Conservation Commission (formerly
the Soil Conservation Committee). Two of the three elected
supervisors must be landowners or operators of farms.
Conservation districts are authorized to conduct surveys and
research related to resource conservation; to conduct educational
and demonstration projects; to carry out preventative and control
measures for conservation of resources; to cooperate and enter
into agreements, and provide financial assistance to agency,
government or occupier of lands within the district to carry out
preventative and control measures and works of natural resource
improvement; to make equipment available to landowners or
occupiers; to prepare long range and annual plans with public
input; to administer any project or program concerning natural
resources located with the district and undertaken by any federal,
state or other public agency; and to keep the public informed of
the works and activities of the district.
<strong>Visit</strong> <strong>KCCD</strong> on the web at kccd.net

Kittitas County Conservation District April 2012 Newsletter Page 6 of 8
Long Range Planning Session
long range planning session was held in February
to develop a comprehensive plan that is specifically
alled for in conservation district law (Revised Code
f Washington 89.08.220). Each district is directed “To
repare and keep current a comprehensive long-range
rogram recommending the conservation of all the
enewable natural resources of the district.” Conservation
istricts have the opportunity to direct programs toward
he best use of renewable natural resources taking into
onsideration uses like “farming, grazing, timber supply,
orest, parks, outdoor recreation, potable water supplies
or urban and rural areas, water for agriculture, minimal
ow, and industrial uses, watershed stabilization, control
f soil erosion, etc.”
he conservation district law also directs districts to
ive “careful consideration to the views expressed and
roblems revealed” at such public sessions. Many issues
ere discussed to include agriculture, forestry, water
upply and quality, flood control, particular industries,
ommercial concerns and other public and private
nterests, both rural and urban. In addition, the <strong>KCCD</strong>
sked for input through an on-line survey with selected
esults (posted to the right and below). The complete
urvey results can be obtained by contacting the District
t (509) 925-8585 ext 4.

Kittitas County Conservation District April 2012 Newsletter Page 7 of 8
Riparian Planting Projects in the Upper County
Flood Control Zone District
Kirk Holmes, Director, Kittitas Co. Public Works
s part of a Centennial Clean Water Grant the District received from
the Department of Ecology, we are tasked
o work with landowners to install streamside
egetation projects on the tributaries of the
pper Yakima River. These projects will help
ncrease woody debris recruitment, increase
hade and can also filter runoff (including
tormwater) to reduce detrimental water
uality impacts.
f you are interested in participating in this program, please call
uzanne at (509) 925-8585 ext.113 for more information.
Voluntary Stewardship Program
n November 30, 2011, the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners
adopted Ordinance No 2011-012, electing to participate in the
newly created Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP). The VSP was
passed by the Legislature and signed into law in 2011 as ESHB 1886.
The new law is the result of four years of work among the agricultural,
environmental, and tribal communities to find a new approach to
critical areas protection for agricultural activities.
The County has been listening to the community’s questions and
concerns about the VSP. Below are answers to some of the questions
raised at the November 2011 public hearing, as well as questions
received through other forms of public comment.
What does it mean that the VSP is “voluntary?”
The “voluntary” part of the VSP refers to two aspects of the program.
First, counties have the option whether or not to participate in the
VSP. A county choosing not to participate will continue regulating
agricultural critical areas just as it does other critical areas, in
accordance with RCW 36.70A.060. Second, once the County has
opted-in, agricultural operators with critical areas on their land also
have the option of agreeing to create an individualized stewardship
plan in cooperation with the watershed group. Agricultural
operators implementing an individual stewardship plan consistent
with County’s VSP work plan are presumed to be working toward
protection and enhancement of critical areas. Nothing in the VSP
requires an individual landowner to participate. Other FAQS answers
can be found in the Feb. 2012 newsletter on the County’s website.
VSP STAY INFORMED!
For more information about the Voluntary Stewardship Program,
including dates for public meetings and to sign-up for email alerts,
visit the County’s Voluntary Stewardship Program web page:
http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/cds/voluntary-stewardship/
Also see information on the Washington State Conservation
Commission webpage: http://www.scc.wa.gov/
On February 28, 2011 in response to the devastating impacts
of county wide flooding in 2009 and 2011, the Kittitas County
Board of Commissioners authorized a Citizens Advisory Committee
to study the impacts of flooding in Kittitas County. On January 6,
2012 the Citizens Advisory Committee forwarded recommendations
to the Board of County Commissioners that a Flood Control Zone
District be formed and established immediately for Kittitas County.
The Flood Control Zone District (FCZD) would be formed pursuant to
86.15 RCW and will address flood management needs within Kittitas
County. The purpose of the district will include, but are not limited to,
flood warning and emergency response, floodproofing and elevation
of structures, property acquisition, implementation of consistent
development regulations that recognize the impacts of flooding,
basin-wide flood planning, and the identification, engineering, and
construction of capital projects that address flooding problems.
The Board of County Commissioners invites the public to participate
through scheduled open houses planned throughout the county
.You can also provide comments or ask questions by signing up
for an email list serve. We look forward to hearing from you on this
important legislation. For more info, visit the county website.
Public Meetings: April 25, 6:00pm Teanaway - Teanaway Grange
May 16, 6:00pm Easton - High School Library
June 6, 6:00pm Kittitas - City Hall
The Yakima Basin Beaver Reintroduction Project
Melissa Reitz, Project Manager Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group
Interested in minimizing flood damage, storing more ground water
for summer irrigation and livestock watering, or enhancing riparian
habitat on your property? Let BEAVERS work for you! The goals of
this project are simple: (1) to mitigate human / beaver conflicts (2)
to remove “under appreciated” beaver from urban and agricultural
areas (3) to restore beaver populations in areas needing restoration
or ground water storage and (4) to educate the public of the benefits
of beaver. By returning these key ecological agents to their historic
watersheds we will improve channel structure, raise the water table,
recharge downstream ground water, buffer areas from flooding
and droughts, and create habitat for local flora and fauna. If you are
a land owner or manager with a nuisance beaver or would like to
inquire about ways to utilize beavers on your property please contact
the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at 509-731-0432
for a FREE service. Beavers can only be safely relocated seasonally
between the months of June and October so call today to schedule
an appointment with WDFW staff to evaluate your needs.
For more information visit:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/beavers.html
http://www.methowconservancy.org/beaver_project.html

Kittitas County Conservation District April 2012 Newsletter Page 8 of 8
PAM Cost Share Program
The Kittitas County Conservation District, with funding from the
Washington Conservation Commission and Kittitas County, is
ontinuing to offer a cost share program for private landowners
nterested in reducing soil erosion through the use of Polyacrylamides
PAM). The cost share rate is 50% with a limit of $1,000 per applicant
50% of $2,000 in receipted PAM purchases). Any fields where PAM is
sed are eligible for the program.
AM has been proven through numerous local field trials to reduce
ediment levels in tailwater by as much as 80%. PAM is most commonly
pplied to sweet corn, potatoes, small grain and new seeding hay
rops. It is an effective method to minimize the loss of soil and
utrients as well as reducing silt deposition in county maintained
oad ditches and improving the quality of tailwater entering streams
nd eventually the Yakima River.
gain this season, cost share for PAM application devices is available.
he cost share rate is 50% with a limit of $150 per cooperator (50%
f $300 in receipted purchases of PAM applicators). This brings total
ost share payments to a maximum of $1,150 per cooperator per year.
lease call Brent at 925-8585 ext. 4 for more information.
Annual Meeting
Long Range Plan
Riparian Planting Projects
More Conservation District History
♦
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Inside:
Firewise Cost Share
More grant funding is now available to help landowners in the
district prepare for wildfire. Applications for fire protection cost
share will be available until the grant runs out. Projects can include,
but are not limited to, fuel reduction projects, shaded fuel breaks,
roving chippers or Firewise workshops. Last year over $50,000 was
distributed for Firewise projects under this cost share program.
Communities are encouraged to apply not only because cost
share dollars go further, but also because the more neighbors that
participate, the more defensible the area becomes. Additional
funding may be available for these larger community projects.
Interested parties can pick up
an application at the <strong>KCCD</strong>
office or download one from
our website (kccd.net). Contact
Suzanne at 509 925-8585 ext.
113 or email suzanne-wade@
conservewa.net if you have
questions.
Kittitas County Conservation District
607 E Mountain View
Ellensburg, WA 98926