Organization of the Central Klickitat Conservation District
A political subdivision of the State of Washington – authorities, powers and structure contained in RCW 89.08.
Established on April 9, 1946, CKCD has a full and varied history of conservation in Klickitat County. Our ultimate goal has always been and continues to be, cooperation with landowners to provide the most on-the-ground conservation for the dollars spent. As conservation practices progress, we have adopted the new technology to provide the best in conservation to our constituents.

Function of the Central Klickitat Conservation District
To make available technical, financial and educational resources, whatever their source, and focus or coordinate them so that they meet the needs of the local land manager with conservation of soil, water and related natural resources.

We Serve & Why
Landowners and people between the Klickitat River and Rock Creek in Klickitat County with natural resource problems and concerns, individuals and groups that want to make a difference in conservation. Our goal is to improve, conserve and wisely use natural resources by providing technical assistance, by sharing in the cost of natural resource improvements, and providing BMP’s to help prevent or solve regulatory actions.

Mission of the Central Klickitat Conservation District
The mission of the Central Klickitat CD is to improve, conserve and promote the wise use of natural resources by serving citizens within the CKCD through education, public information, technical advice, and financial assistance.

Vision of the Central Klickitat Conservation District
Become fiscally self sustaining and be able to continue to improve the quality of technical assistance and financial assistance to land users

Values of the Central Klickitat Conservation District
We believe in:

• Treating everyone equitably and in a positive manner
• Being frugal with funds
• Not being intrusive on private land rights
• Implementing successful and beneficial projects
• Saying what we are going to do – and doing what we say
• Informing people so they understand landowner commitments and the CD obligations to conservation efforts
• Good locally led grass roots conservation
• Not being a regulatory agency – nor do we intend to be
• Wise use of natural resources
• Cooperative, incentive based programs
• Assisting landowners in being proactive with natural resource issues
• Helping landusers comply with regulatory conservation efforts
• Partnership agreements with governmental agencies
• Sustaining the agro-forestry environment in Klickitat County

Natural Resource Priorities and Goals:
1. TMDL – Little Klickitat — By 2015 reduced water temperature of ½ degree Fahrenheit through the use of Stream enhancements, riparian enhancements and habitat improvements
2. Endangered species act — By 2012 majority of affected landowners will be educated on ESA leading to no additional listings of species within the District.
3. Livestock Issues (prescribed grazing, AFO/CAFO) –provide the opportunity for livestock operators to comply with livestock regulations.
4. Conservation tillage — By 2015 five additional landowners within CKCD will be using conservation tillage practices including use of Precision Ag equipment
5. Stream enhancements/riparian enhancements — By 2015 two miles of streams and riparian areas will be improved.
6. Wildlife habitat — By 2015 promote a balance of quality habitat with wildlife numbers
The current state of the natural resources in CKCD is one of improvement. Much of our efforts are going toward the TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) for the Little Klickitat River for temperature. Several projects on the Little Klickitat have started the long process toward cooler water in the watershed. We are also promoting direct seeding of crops for local farmers by cost sharing on the equipment rental. CKCD is assisting NRCS in their conservation efforts whenever possible, and we have a cost share available for the planting of permanent cover crops such as native grasses. Local landowners are becoming aware of the importance of conservation practices on their property, and are seeking CKCD for advice and technical support.

Critical Geographic Areas:
1. Little Klickitat basin
2. Swale Creek
3. Rock Creek

Information – Education Priorities and Goals:
Goals: By 2015 we will reach 40% of CKCD population with information on programs and services available

Strategies: newsletter, feature stories and press releases in local newspaper, public forums, field tours, sponsor conservation events including annual meeting, construct email list serve, website, conservation farm tour, recognize conservation farmer of the year – sponsor a field day, wildlife farmer of the year, brooks park field day, conduct school classroom projects and programs – ag-in-classroom

District Operations Priorities, Goals:
Goal: By 2015 have ownership of a building with 5 cooperating agencies renting space

Goal: By 2015 we will have enough staff to meet the needs of the long range plan

Goal: By 2013 continue to improve relations with local government entities. Have MOA’s in place and be proactive in communicating with each entity.

Trends Impacting Conservation in Central Klickitat Conservation District

• CD funding is going up but more competition for those funds
• Water quality and salmon recovery are effecting conservation – some financial help
• Endangered species impacting land use
• Environmentalists on the increase
• See a shift towards sub-basin plans and outside forces impacting our district programs
• More land owners with smaller acreages; Conversion of ag and forest land to residential
• Increased funding opportunities for salmon recovery and increased competition for those funds
• Seeing an increase in livestock issues & regulations – CAFO
• Shift to federal program emphasis – need to retain local conservation program
• Increased operating costs to cooperators

Strategies to Address Trends

TMDL – Little Klickitat
Goal: By 2015 continue efforts to reduce temperatures in the Little Klickitat River.

Strategies: Improve shading, reduce sedimentation,
Increase depth to width ratios, increase flow by upland work on spring enhancement, look at irrigation efficiencies program and EQIP for potential funding, reestablishment forest stands, consider a reservoir for holding water, increase awareness by local realtors about the importance of water quality & riparian health

Actions:
1. increase riparian plantings through the use of local youth groups
2. increase projects with mountain springs
3. reduced sedimentation with streambank repair projects
4. provide information and education with new landowners to maintain and improve existing riparian conditions
5. produce a realtor workshop to provide information and continuing credits

Endangered species act
Goal: By 2015 majority of affected landowners will be educated on ESA leading to no additional listings

Strategies: identify affected landowners, contact ESA agencies for information and data, send mailings, hold information meetings, involve partners, contact Members of Congress and staff regarding ESA changes and the effects of ESA listing, inform our local landowners of issues that will impact them,

Actions:
1. hold informational meeting on ESA issues in our district and find out what they want the district to do
2. promote the conservation measures and programs related to ESA work
3. work with WRIA 30 to promote wise use conservation measures in dealing with ESA issues

Livestock Issues (prescribed grazing, AFO/CAFO)
Goal: By January 2015: provide the opportunity for livestock operators to comply with livestock regulations.

Strategies: attend informational programs held for districts, conduct site visits, identify effected livestock operators, hold information meetings, learn about permitting system rules, work with livestock organizations in the county for implementation strategies,

Actions:
1. educate CD personnel in AFO/CAFO program activities
2. do on-site visits as requested by the land managers
3. provide cost share for improvement practices
4. hold event at annual meeting
5. assist with EQIP signups, cost share on landowner balance

Conservation Tillage
Goal: By 2015 five additional landowners within CKCD will be using conservation tillage practices including precision ag (gps) equipment

Strategies: provide cost share (EQIP and CD), education activities such as field tours, literature, set up field trials that include the economic side, get a district drill – look at grant funding, find your target audience – look at Little Klickitat Watershed for participants, continue work in LWG for CSP and EQIP

Actions:
1. Do field trials for drill evaluation.
2. Provide the cost share support for direct seed.
3. Provide cost share for purchase of precision ag equipment (EKCD policy for guidelines)
4. Work with federal partners to provide conservation information.
5. Work with national associations (NACD, Congress) to get more CRP in farm bill

Stream enhancements/riparian enhancements
Goal: By 2015 two miles of streams and riparian areas will be improved

Strategies: use and promote the CREP/CCRP program, the TMDL Grant Implementation Tasks, contact land owners along stream to let them know what is available, work with livestock operators to educate about the benefits of stream enhancements, coordinate with FSA committee for CREP/CCRP eligibility, have an outreach to non-agriculture riparian land owners, demonstration sites (existing), create a group cost-share opportunity, send mailing to all the landowners on a particular stream then meet with them – offer technical help

Actions:
1. identify and contact streamside landowners (identify audience and need level)
2. identify projects through group meetings (different meetings with different philosophical levels and needs)
3. find funding and arrange for technical help
4. develop information brochure for realtors to hand out to prospective buyers of riparian areas
5. use TMDL funds for information and outreach

Wildlife habitat
Goals: By 2015 promote a balance of quality habitat with wildlife numbers.

Strategies: work with the Department of Wildlife to conduct inventory and assessment of where populations are in district, increase and improve existing wildlife habitat, conduct a doe season to improve quality, look at habitat management activities including prey vs. food source issues

Actions:
1. Contact the Dept of Wildlife and invite to regular district meetings to discuss these issues including cougars
2. encourage legislators to help allocate wildlife depredation funds by writing letters
3. help NRCS promote Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) signups

District Operations:
Goal: By 2015 have ownership of building with 5 cooperating agencies

Strategies: discuss with cooperating agencies their interest, examine funding sources for building, design building, determine rental rates,

Actions:
1. Get a commitment from cooperating agencies (in writing)
2. Have NRCS explain the procedure for leases
3. Identify possible funding sources
4. Pursue options other than district ownership of the new building. i.e. County

Goal: By 2015 we will have enough staff to meet the needs of the Long Range Plan

Actions:
1. perform a workload analysis to determine FTE needs
2. put together the entire hiring package then obtain funding for position
3. hire the position
4. evaluate awards for staff, supervisors and landowners annually.

Education & Information:
Goals: By 2015 we will reach 40% of CKCD population with information on programs and services available

Strategies: newsletter, feature stories and press releases in local newspaper, public forums, field tours, sponsor conservation events including annual meeting, construct email list serve, website, conservation farm tour, recognize conservation farmer of the year – sponsor a field day, wildlife farmer of the year, brooks park field day, conduct school classroom projects and programs – ag-in-classroom, Salmon-in-the-Classroom. Identify population census of the District.

Actions:
1. develop the users guide to CKCD services; by June 2010
2. try to reinstitute Brooks Park field day; by May of 2010
3. advertise in newspaper – articles, etc; by July 2009
4. cooperate with county to conduct earth day activities; spring of 2009

Staffing Needs

• District Manager
• Administrative Assistant
• Engineer
• Engineer Assistant
• Technical Position – water quality specialist
• Information – Education (part time or include in Admin Ass’t and Tech Position)

Annual Budget Needs
Salary & Benefits…………………$ 350,000
Equipment……………………………$25,000
Office Supplies………………………$20,000
Programs & Cost Share…………..$600,000
Building and/or Rent & Utilities……$25,000
Transportation………………………$10,000
Training………………………………$15,000
Other – insurance – dues………….$13,000
Other _____________________
Total Annual Budget Need……..$1,058,000

Key Decision Makers

• Governor
• President
• District Supervisors
• Committees of state legislature
• WSCC
• County Commissioners
• Each state and federal legislator
• Agencies we work with – local, state, federal
• WACD
• Presidents and Executive Directors of commodity organizations

Priority Actions – 12 Months

TMDL – Little Klickitat
Goal: By 2012 reduced water temperature of ½ degree Fahrenheit.

Action
1. increase riparian plantings
2. increase projects with mountain springs

3. reduced sedimentation with streambank repair – Singing Bridge 1 & 2, Wirick, & 3-Creeks projects

Endangered species act
Goal: By 2015 majority of affected landowners will be educated on ESA leading to no additional listings.

Action

1. hold informational meeting on ESA issues in our district and find out what they want the district to do
2. promote the conservation measures and programs related to ESA work
3. explore the opportunity for developing a Habitat Conservation Plan if there is interest among land managers

Livestock Issues (prescribed grazing, AFO/CAFO)

Goals: By January 2013: provide the opportunity for livestock operators to comply with livestock regulations.

1. do on-site visits as requested by the land managers
2. participate in livestock organizations field days, meetings, events – share information as we learn
3. hold event at annual meeting 07/01/09 12/31/15

Conservation Tillage
Goal: By 2015 five additional landowners within CKCD will be using conservation tillage practices
Action

1. do field trials – document rental drill use and success or failure
2. provide the cost share support for direct seed
3. Provide cost share support for precision ag equipment purchase

Stream enhancements/riparian enhancements
Goal: By 2015 two miles of streams and riparian areas will be improved
Action
1. identify and contact streamside landowners (identify audience and need level)
2. identify projects through group meetings (different meetings with different philosophical levels and needs)
3. find funding and arrange for technical help
4. develop info packet/hold educational workday for realtors to hand out to prospective buyers of riparian areas – provide continuing credits for realtors

Wildlife habitat
Goals: By 2015 promote a balance of quality habitat with wildlife numbers.
Action
1. Contact the Dept of Wildlife and ask to regular district meetings to discuss these issues including cougars
2. encourage legislators by writing letters to help fund wildlife depredation moneys
3. help NRCS promote WHIP signups

District Operations:
Goal: By 2015 have ownership of building with 5 cooperating agencies
Action
1. get a commitment from cooperating agencies (in writing)
2. identify possible funding sources
3. begin talks with County Commissioners about new building for all ag entities

Education & Information:
Goals: By 2015 we will reach 40% of CKCD population with information on programs and services available
Action
1. develop the users guide to CKCD services
2. try to reinstitute Brooks Park field day
3. advertise in newspaper – articles, etc
4. cooperate with county to conduct earth day activities
5. identify District population census