Pursuant to RCW 36.70A.035 and ESHB1886, the Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance to enroll the County in the "Voluntary Stewardship Program" created by the Legislature through ESHB1886  The Board may make a decision upon close of the public hearing or continue the public hearing to a specific date and time for deliberation and decision.  Verbal testimony will be accepted during the hearing.  Written comments may be submitted to Community Development Services during regular business hours and during the scheduled hearing.  Persons wishing to review documents regarding the Voluntary Stewardship Program may contact Kittitas County Community Development Services (CDS) at 411 N. Ruby Street, Ellensburg, WA or at (509) 962-7506.  Items are also available for review at the CDS website: www.co.kittitas.wa.us/cds/

Background:  The Growth Management Act requires Washington counties to designate and protect critical areas, such as streams.  For the last 4 years, agricultural, environmental, and tribal representatives have worked on a new approach to critical areas protection for agricultural activities that the Legislature adopted in 2011 (ESHB 1886). Kittitas County has the option to opt into a Voluntary Stewardship Program in place of the requirement to protect critical areas on farmland through critical areas ordinance development regulations.

For more information, contact Commissioners