State Conservation Commission

2023-25 VSP Project Funding

40000021

Funding is provided for the Voluntary Stewardship Program, which offers counties and farmers options for protecting critical natural areas in places where agricultural activity is conducted, and provides an the incentive for agricultural producers to participate in the program, fulfills statutory requirements, and delivers on promises and progress made at the county level.

Prior Biennium Current Biennium Reappropriations Appropriations Future Cost Total Costs
0 0 0 3,000,000 12,000,000 15,000,000
Funds: State Building Construction Account - State 15,000,000

2023-25 Natural Resource Investment for the Economy & Environment

40000022

Funds grants to assist landowners and farmers with the installation of best-management practices in non-shellfish growing areas, preserving natural resources while maintaining economic viability of agricultural and natural resource-dependent businesses. Funded projects include improving water quality, wildlife habitat, forest and rangeland health, and natural disaster recovery.

Prior Biennium Current Biennium Reappropriations Appropriations Future Cost Total Costs
0 0 0 4,000,000 16,000,000 20,000,000
Funds: State Building Construction Account - State 20,000,000

2023-25 Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)

40000023

The voluntary Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program offers incentives to farmers who plant native vegetation instead of crops along salmon-bearing streams, creating a vegetation buffer between agricultural land and salmon streams to keep water clean and cool. CREP is an important tool for water-quality improvements in our state and compliance with the Clean Water Act.

Prior Biennium Current Biennium Reappropriations Appropriations Future Cost Total Costs
0 0 0 15,000,000 20,000,000 35,000,000
Funds: State Building Construction Account - State 24,000,000
Funds: Natural Climate Solutions Account - State 11,000,000

2023-25 Farmland Protection and Land Access

40000024

Funding is provided for the Farmland Protection and Land Access Program. This program, in cooperation with the Farmland Protection and Affordability Investment Program, is intended to reduce the conversion of high-priority agricultural land at imminent risk of development, and to increase farmland access by historically underserved producers.

Prior Biennium Current Biennium Reappropriations Appropriations Future Cost Total Costs
0 0 0 4,000,000 24,000,000 28,000,000
Funds: State Building Construction Account - State 28,000,000

2023-25 Irrigation Efficiencies

40000025

Funds grants that provide more efficient water application while still allowing producers to grow crops. Grants are also provided to improve water conveyance to reduce water loss through leakage and evaporation. In prior biennia, the funding was administered through the Department of Ecology.

Prior Biennium Current Biennium Reappropriations Appropriations Future Cost Total Costs
0 0 0 3,000,000 20,000,000 23,000,000
Funds: State Building Construction Account - State 23,000,000

2023-25 Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)

40000026

Funding is provided for matching federal funds received by conservation districts for federally approved Regional Conservation Partnership Program projects. RCPP is a U.S. Department of Agriculture program originating with the 2014 federal Farm Bill. These projects increase the restoration and sustainable use of soil, water, wildlife and related natural resources on regional or watershed scales.

Prior Biennium Current Biennium Reappropriations Appropriations Future Cost Total Costs
0 0 0 3,000,000 12,000,000 15,000,000
Funds: State Building Construction Account - State 15,000,000

2023-25 Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) PIP

40000027

Provides bridge loans to private landowners who have installed riparian buffers under the CREP Practice Incentive Payment program and are awaiting reimbursement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Prior Biennium Current Biennium Reappropriations Appropriations Future Cost Total Costs
0 0 0 100,000 400,000 500,000
Funds: Conservation Assistance Revolving Account - State 500,000

2023-25 Washington Shrubsteppe Restoration & Resiliency Initiativ

40000028

Funding enables conservation districts to assist landowners with implementing wildlife-friendly fencing practices in prioritized areas impacted by wildfires and will benefit habitats essential for endangered and threatened wildlife species.

Prior Biennium Current Biennium Reappropriations Appropriations Future Cost Total Costs
0 0 0 1,500,000 8,000,000 9,500,000
Funds: State Building Construction Account - State 9,500,000

2023-25 Improve Shellfish Growing Areas

40000029

Funds grants to conservation districts for completion of natural resource enhancement projects that improve water quality in shellfish growing areas.

Prior Biennium Current Biennium Reappropriations Appropriations Future Cost Total Costs
0 0 0 4,000,000 16,000,000 20,000,000
Funds: State Building Construction Account - State 20,000,000

Riparian Grant Program

40000039

A new grant program focused on riparian investments is funded.

Prior Biennium Current Biennium Reappropriations Appropriations Future Cost Total Costs
0 0 0 100,000,000 0 100,000,000
Funds: Natural Climate Solutions Account - State 100,000,000