The Governor has directed Oregon's Natural Resource Agencies to develop programs in partnership with coastal communities, local governments and others to preserve and restore native coastal salmon populations. In Coastal Coho areas, from 2 to 25% of the basins are zoned as agriculture. Within the Coastal Coho basins there are 2,597 miles of streams associated with the lands zoned as agricultural. This represents approximately 13% of the total stream miles in these systems. Because of the opportunities for agriculture to affect resource management, the Oregon Department of Agriculture has been working with the agricultural community to develop regulatory and assistance programs that improve resource management where needed. Authority for several of the programs was established in the 1993 and 1995 legislatures, and implementation of the programs has been initiated this biennium. Following is a summary of the programs and the contributions they will provide to coastal salmon recovery efforts.
SB 1010 Planning Program
Background
The Oregon Legislature has taken steps to establish the Oregon Department of Agriculture as the lead state agency working with agriculture to address nonpoint source pollution. Senate Bill 1010, passed in the 1993 legislative session, provided the Department of Agriculture with the authority to develop, implement and enforce agricultural water quality management programs where required by state or federal law. In 1995, the Legislature passed SB 502, which gave the Department of Agriculture rather exclusive authority to develop any program or rules that directly regulate farming practices for the purposes of protecting water quality.
Goals and Objectives
SB 1010 provides a structure through which a local water quality management plan can be developed and implemented to prevent and control water pollution resulting from agricultural activities and soil erosion. ODA's authority is triggered where a water quality management plan is required by state or federal law (e.g., TMDL basins, groundwater management areas, coastal zone management area). SB 1010 directs ODA to work with farmers and ranchers by developing Agricultural Water Quality Management Area Plans for listed watersheds. The plans identify problems in the watershed that need to be addressed and outline ways to correct those problems.
The intent of SB 1010 is to provide a role for ODA to assist producers in addressing those agricultural activities in watersheds known to have the most problems with water quality, to prevent pollution problems wherever possible, and to alleviate any existing problems.
Funding and Results
ODA's budget proposal for 1997-99 requests sufficient resources to develop six basin and/or subbasin plans in the coastal zone management area. The basin plans will address the specific agricultural nonpoint source pollution concerns in the individual basins. This program will be developed and carried out in close coordination with CSRI priorities and objectives.
SB 1010 Planning Implementation Timeline
As the SB1010 planning process gets underway in the coastal zone, ODA will target the Rogue, Umpqua and Tillamook(1) Basins as high priority for water quality planning and implementation efforts. In addition, the department has also received a request by the local Soil & Water Conservation District to initiate the SB 1010 planning process in the Tillamook Basin. Another important catalyst for agricultural water quality management planning in Oregon's coastal zone is section 6217 of the Coastal Zone Management Act, and the associated agricultural management measures identified in Oregon's Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program (CNPCP).
ODA also recognizes that the Coos and Coquille Basins and several additional coastal subbasins have significant agricultural activity that could impact salmonids. We feel the best way to implement the SB1010 planning process in Oregon's coastal zone is to have regional ODA employees working in these specific areas so they can initiate, participate, and coordinate effectively with the local community.
Based on phase 1 funding of the CSRI, ODA has funds from an EPA 319 grant to hire and locate one regional employee. This individual will be initiating the SB 1010 planning process in the Rogue and Umpqua Basins, and to a lesser extent in the Tillamook Basin. The regional coordinator(2) will identify critical sub-areas of the Rogue, Umpqua and Tillamook Basins for agricultural water quality management area plan development, as well as estimate technical assistance, administrative, and landowner costs for development and implementation of the agricultural water quality management area plans. In addition, the regional coordinator will conduct education and outreach activities to familiarize agricultural and rural landowners and land managers with the SB 1010 planning process, as well as the other federal and state mandates/priorities which would be covered under an agricultural water quality management plan (e.g., Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, 303(d) list/TMDL priorities, CSRI). Finally, the development of a draft Agricultural Water Quality Management Area (1010) Plan for the coastal area identified as the highest priority for plan development will be completed. The timeline for AWQMAP development based on phase I funding is:
|
Jan 1997 |
EPA 319 grant position advertised and filled |
| Jan-March 1997 | Conduct agricultural land use inventories |
| Feb-April 1997 | Identify source contribution and geographic priorities |
| March-July 1997 | Estimate implementation costs |
| April-May 1997 | Identify critical sub-areas for initial area plan development |
| Aug-June 1998 | Develop a draft Agricultural Water Quality Management Area Plan |
Voluntary implementation of plan components can begin as early as January 1997 as landowners become more aware of the needs and opportunities available. Timeframes for implementing new regulatory components identified in the plan would be laid out in the plan and formalized in Oregon Administrative Rules.
Future Outlook
If phase II funding of the CSRI is secured, ODA will establish regional employees (planning coordinators) in each of the following areas:
Responsible Staff
| ODA contacts: | Chuck Craig (503/986-4704)
Mike Wolf (503/986-4711) Marc Peters (503/986-4714) Ray Jaindl (503/986-4713) |
Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) Program
Background
The department's CAFO Program insures compliance with existing clean water laws of nonpoint pollution sources related to animal feeding operations (regulatory program under ORS 468B.200-230).
Goals and Objectives
The main objective of the CAFO program is to improve water quality by increasing the level of compliance of CAFOs with water quality regulations through inspections, educational outreach, technical assistance, and timely and effective enforcement as needed.
Funding and Results
ODA's CAFO program has completed a rapid screening aerial assessment of all the permitted CAFOs in the coastal zone, and is in the process of following-up with preliminary "courtesy" inspections, subsequent inspections to evaluate compliance with permit conditions, and aggressive civil penalty enforcement actions as needed.
The Department of Agriculture is also in the 3rd year of a joint a EPA/ODA CAFO compliance initiative in the Tillamook Basin and surrounding North Coast region, and will continue to focus its efforts in that area in 1997. This aggressive compliance inspection program involves formally inspecting those CAFOs likely to be in violation of water quality standards. Those found to have water quality problems are directed to take corrective action or face enforcement procedures such as civil penalty action. A "courtesy" compliance inspection program has recently been initiated in the Coos/Coquille Basins, with over 80% of the dairies enrolled in the program. A regulatory compliance strategy will be initiated at the conclusion of the courtesy compliance program (1997-98).
The timeframe for CAFO Program implementation based on phase 1 funding is:
| Fall 1996 | Compliance inspection training/coordination with OSUES and NRCS |
| Nov 96-Oct 97(3) | Complete courtesy compliance inspections with CAFO operators on the South Coast (Coos/Coquille Basins) |
| Jan-May 1997 | Formal on-farm compliance inspections of CAFOs in the Tillamook Basin (EPA/ODA Compliance Initiative) |
| June-Dec 1997 | Compliance schedule development; report writing, data analysis, etc. |
| June-Dec 1997 | Follow-up on corrective actions required by CAFO operators |
| June-Dec 1997 | Administration of enforcement actions |
Future Outlook
If phase II funding of the CSRI is secured, ODA will hire 3 new employees for the CAFO program. One of the new employees will be permanently assigned to the Tillamook Basin. ODA is also waiting to hear whether continued funding of the CAFO program will be forthcoming from the EPA 104 b (3) grant program. Additional funding would allow for:
Responsible Staff
| ODA contacts: | Chuck Craig (503/986-4704)
Dave Wilkinson (503/986-4712) |
Oregon's Habitat Restoration Jobs Program (a.k.a. the "Hire the Fisher" Program
Background
In September 1994, the Oregon Department of Agriculture was authorized to receive up to $2,200,000 in Northwest Emergency Assistance Program funds from the U.S. Department of Commerce to help mitigate the west coast salmon fishery disaster. These funds were targeted for hiring eligible fishers, who have been affected by the fishery resource disaster, to perform work on private lands which has a beneficial impact on salmon habitat.
Goals and Objectives
The main objectives of all habitat restoration projects are to:
Funding and Results
SWCDs who were awarded grants are collaborating with watershed councils, ODFW Fish District staff and a number of other natural resource partners to implement habitat restoration and enhancement projects. To the greatest extent possible, the districts are coordinating their activities with similar restoration efforts undertaken in the watersheds to ensure that priority projects get implemented.
Future Outlook
Future funding for the Habitat Restoration Jobs Program (Phase III/1997-98) is unknown at this time.
Responsible Parties
Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry County, Douglas, Illinois Valley, Lincoln, Siuslaw, Tillamook County, and Washington County SWCDs.
ODA contact - Marc Peters (503/986-4714)
The Governor's Watershed Enhancement Board &
Soil and Water Conservation District Programs
DISTRICT GRANT PROGRAM
BACKGROUND - Since 1987, GWEB has allocated funds to support a Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Small Grant Program. For the 1995-97 biennium, GWEB has allocated $90,000 to the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Small Grant Program. The program provides $2,000 to each Soil and Water Conservation District for projects consistent with GWEB guidelines.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES - This program is viewed as providing seed money to individuals or groups in a SWCD to initiate actions that may not have occurred otherwise. Over the past eight years this has included both technical and educational projects that revolve around resource management, restoration & enhancement, monitoring, and assessment.
FUNDING AND RESULTS - A total of $22,000 for GWEB/SWCD small grant projects in the coastal (coho) zone is available in the 1995-97 biennium. Records on projects funded during past bienniums can be obtained from the GWEB office.
FUTURE OUTLOOK - Funding for this program is dependent on GWEB approval each biennium. Funding has been allocated each biennium since 1988.
RESPONSIBLE PARTIES - Coastal SWCDs (Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, Siuslaw, Umpqua, Douglas, Curry County, Josephine, Illinois Valley, and Jackson SWCDs).
ODA contact - Ray Jaindl (503/986-4713)
LAND OWNER WORKSHOPS
BACKGROUND - Since 1993, the Governor's Watershed Enhancement Board has authorized funding of Soil and Water Conservation District sponsored landowner workshops.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES - The landowner workshops are viewed as effective educational tools for addressing landowner issues and concerns that affect watersheds. During the last biennium, workshop topics included riparian management, watershed council development, CAFO management, and farming practices. While this program is available statewide, at least two workshops are designated for the coastal zone each biennium.
FUNDING AND RESULTS - While this program is available statewide, at least two workshops were designated for the coastal zone in the 1995-97 biennium. Grants were awarded to the Clatsop and Siuslaw SWCDs.
FUTURE OUTLOOK - Funding for this program is dependent on GWEB approval each biennium. Funding has been allocated each biennium since 1991.
RESPONSIBLE STAFF - ODA contact, Ray Jaindl (503/986-4713)
WATERSHED COUNCIL COORDINATOR PROGRAM
BACKGROUND, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES - In the 1995-97 biennium, $350,000 of GWEB funds were targeted to provide funding through Soil and Water Conservation Districts for support of the human resources needed to contribute technical assistance to watershed council formation and development.
FUNDING AND RESULTS - Nine proposals were partially or completely funded (the SWCC established a cap of $46,000 per any one grant to maximize number of districts assisted). Districts who have been awarded grants worked with the watershed councils to develop position descriptions, and to advertise, interview, and fill the positions. Of the grants awarded, two were to districts in the coastal (coho) zone; Tillamook Co. and Siuslaw SWCDs.
FUTURE OUTLOOK - At this time, funding for this program is uncertain after the 1995-97 biennium.
RESPONSIBLE STAFF - ODA contact, Ray Jaindl (503/986-4713)
ODA will continue to consult with the Governor's Natural Resources Office, The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and others in order to help identify and prioritize critical coastal areas for ODA program implementation. Attempts will be made to identify where federal and state programs interface, such as the CNPCP/DEQ's 303(d) list-TMDL priorities/CSRI, and to reach consensus on the selection of high priority areas for early implementation efforts.
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