Information

Type: Deliberation

Department: CD - Community Development

Directors' Update: Oct. 4, 2023

Business Meeting: Oct. 10, 2023

Summary:

Accept Formal Amendments 1, 2, and 3 with Washington State Conservation Commission for the purpose of increased funding to the County for the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP)

Publications: n/a

Cover Letter To:

Additional Copies To: Lee Napier, Sarah Hensley, Becky Butler, Sherri Dokken

Resolution

WHEREAS, Lewis County opted into the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) on October 31, 2011; and

WHEREAS, VSP provides a unique, grassroots opportunity to establish regulatory certainty for the agricultural operators in Lewis County critical areas; and

WHEREAS, Lewis County previously entered into the current grant contract with the Washington State Conservation Commission, ending June 30, 2025, for the purpose of providing adequate funding to meet the implementation needs of the counties who opted into VSP; and

WHEREAS, Washington State Conservation Commission unilaterally amends through Formal Amendment 1 contract K2418-VSP Lewis, changing the contract budget by $47,000 to support county VSP monitoring and reporting efforts.; and

WHEREAS, Washington State Conservation Commission unilaterally amended through Formal Amendment 2 contract K2418-VSP Lewis, changing the contract budget by $145,754.83 to support county VSP District Implemented Project cost share program; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Washington State Conservation Commission unilaterally amends through Formal Amendment 3 contract K2418-VSP Lewis, changing the contract budget by $125,000 to support county VSP District Implemented Project cost share program; and

WHEREAS, Formal Agreements 1, 2, and 3 unilaterally increase the overall  budget and amount not to exceed $557,754.83 for the entire 2023-2025 biennium.; and

WHEREAS, it appears to be in the best public interest to accept the contract budget increases for Formal Amendments 1, 2, and 3 and approve the Director signing the Formal Amendment 1 to acknowledge that the county is aware the funds are limited to monitoring task; and

WHEREAS, Lewis County and the Lewis Conservation District intend to continue cooperation, by means of an interlocal agreement to provide assistance in developing VSP work plans, program implementation, subsequent reporting, and District Implemented Projects.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners accept the contract budget increases for Formal Amendments 1, 2, and 3 and approve the Director signing the Formal Amendment 1 to acknowledge that the county is aware the funds are limited to monitoring task.

DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 10th day of October, 2023.