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• Introduced by Rep. Dean Takko, (D-Longview) (D) on February 8, 2011, to implement tha William D. Ruckelshaus Center recommendations by establishing the agriculture and critical areas voluntary stewardship program to protect and enhance critical areas on lands used for agricultural activities through voluntary actions by agricultural operators. (Companion: SB 5713).
  • Referred to the House Local Government Committee on February 8, 2011.
    • Substitute offered in the House on February 15, 2011, makes numerous technical changes to the original bill. The substitute bill also: changes the name of the Program from the "Agricultural and Critical Areas Voluntary Stewardship Program" to the "Voluntary Stewardship Program"; modifies provisions governing the receipt and review of a watershed group report by the Director of the Commission; specifies that nothing in the legislation, rather than the GMA, may be construed to: interfere with or supplant the ability of any agricultural operator to work cooperatively with a conservation district or participate in state or federal conservation programs; require an agricultural operator to discontinue agricultural activities legally existing before the effective date of a specific section; prohibit the voluntary sale or leasing of land for conservation purposes; grant counties or state agencies additional authority to regulate critical areas on lands used for agricultural activities; and limit the authority of a state agency, local government, or landowner to carry out its legal obligations; and adds state and federal severability clauses. The substitute passed by voice vote in the House on February 15, 2011.
  • Referred to the House General Government Appropriations & Oversight Committee on February 17, 2011.
  • Referred to the House Rules Committee on February 23, 2011.
    • Amendment offered by Rep. Dean Takko, (D-Longview) (D) on February 28, 2011, to add additional intent language specifying that one intent of the act is to improve compliance with other laws designed to protect water quality and fish habitat. The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on February 28, 2011.
• Passed 95 to 2 in the House on February 28, 2011, to establish the Voluntary Stewardship Program (Program) that allows participating counties to protect critical areas in areas used for agricultural activities through the Program rather than through regulatory requirements of] the Growth Management Act. Directs the Washington State Conservation Commission, with the advice of a statewide advisory committee, to administer the Program. Establishes operational and implementation requirements for the Program.
  Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
• Received in the Senate on March 2, 2011.
  • Referred to the Senate Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development Committee on March 2, 2011.
  • Referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee on March 15, 2011.
    • Amendment offered in the Senate on March 15, 2011, to provide that an environmental impact statement is not required for decisions made pertaining to work plans submitted to the state, nor for decisions made by a county on whether to participate in the voluntary stewardship program. The amendment failed by voice vote in the Senate on March 15, 2011.
  • Referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee on March 16, 2011.
    • Amendment offered in the Senate on April 1, 2011, to provide that the state process will be more inviting to the tribes. When considering which watersheds are eligible for the program, the commission and Commerce must include a determination of whether or not a plan can be feasibly implemented. The amendment passed by voice vote in the Senate on April 1, 2011.
  • Referred to the Senate Rules Committee on April 4, 2011.
• Passed 48 to 1 in the Senate on April 6, 2011, establish the Voluntary Stewardship Program (Program) that allows participating counties to protect critical areas in areas used for agricultural activities through the Program rather than through regulatory requirements of] the Growth Management Act. Directs the Washington State Conservation Commission, with the advice of a statewide advisory committee, to administer the Program. Establishes operational and implementation requirements for the Program. This bill provides that the state process will consultation with the tribes. When considering which watersheds are eligible for the program, the commission and Commerce must include a determination of whether or not a plan can be feasibly implemented.
  Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
• Received in the House on April 14, 2011, House concurred with the Senate amendments. This bill establish the Voluntary Stewardship Program (Program) that allows participating counties to protect critical areas in areas used for agricultural activities through the Program rather than through regulatory requirements of] the Growth Management Act. Directs the Washington State Conservation Commission, with the advice of a statewide advisory committee, to administer the Program. Establishes operational and implementation requirements for the Program. This bill provides that the state process will consultation with the tribes. When considering which watersheds are eligible for the program, the commission and Commerce must include a determination of whether or not a plan can be feasibly implemented. Passed 92 to 5 in the House on April 14, 2011.
  Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
• Signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on May 16, 2011, to establish the Voluntary Stewardship Program (Program) that allows participating counties to protect critical areas in areas used for agricultural activities through the Program rather than through regulatory requirements of] the Growth Management Act.