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Resources - New County FAQ
Washington State’s Growth Management Act (GMA) requires that counties develop and follow plans to preserve local critical areas and farmland. This includes ensuring that critical areas are protected or enhanced in places where agricultural activity is conducted. VSP provides an alternative opportunity for counties and landowners to implement voluntary, site-specific practices that help protect critical areas while also promoting agricultural viability. SSB 5353 reopens VSP to the 12 counties that did not originally opt-in to VSP in 2011-12.
Opt-In Process
Counties wishing to participate in the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) through the changes made to the VSP statute by SSB 5353 will abide by the process set out below. To participate in VSP, the county legislative authority must adopt an ordinance or resolution.1 But before that resolution can be adopted, the county must confer with tribes, and environmental and agricultural interests; and provide notice following the public participation and notice provisions of RCW 36.70A.035 to property owners and other affected and interested individuals, tribes, government agencies, businesses, school districts, and organizations.
