Yamhill Ag Water Quality Management Plan

The Yamhill Basin Agriculture Water Quality Management Plan (also known as SB 1010 after the Senate Bill that created it) impacts all landowners living outside urban growth boundaries and not covered by the Forest Practices Act.

The plan’s overall mission is to identify voluntary strategies that landowners can use to reduce water pollution in the Yamhill River Basin. This area covers all of Yamhill County and that portion of Polk County falling in the Yamhill Basin Watershed.

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In case you’re wondering, the Ag Water Quality Management Plan was developed locally through the efforts of a Local Advisory Committee (LAC) consisting of affected landowners residing within the basin, the Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District and the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

When the LAC developed the plan they followed the following principles: Recognize the need for producers to maintain agricultural profitability; Promote a variety of conservation practices that gives the landowners flexibility in addressing situations on their own land; Control pollution as close to the source as possible; Base actions on proven conservation planning; and, Protect beneficial uses of water in the Yamhill Basin.

How does the Ag Water Quality Management Plan affect landowners?

First of all, it relies on the voluntary efforts of landowners as they work toward Best Management Practices, which are common-sense activities that farmers can utilize to reduce pollution and help make their farms more efficient. The areas targeted by the LAC included erosion prevention and sediment control, irrigation management, livestock waste, nutrient management, pesticide management, chemigation, streamside areas, and roads and farmsteads.

To that end, the Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District works to provide information to landowners that help them meet or exceed pollution control standards. Oftentimes a voluntary conservation plan is developed between the district or the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the landowner. Through the development of conservation plans, landowners find that they may financially benefit from enrolling in programs that may bring in cost share dollars for conservation practices.

Although SB 1010 relies on voluntary efforts, there are some instances where landowners repeatedly refuse to address or meet the minimum standards that must be met on all rural lands. If this is the case, they may be subject to the enforcement authority of the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

For more information on the Ag Water Quality Management Plan, please call the Yamhill SWCD at (503) 472-1474 x3.

An online copy of the Oregon Administrative Rules regarding the Yamhill Basin may be found at:
http://oda.state.or.us/nrd/water quality/Plans and Rules/Rules/Yamrul.pdf