Polk SWCD 2025-2027 Capacity Grant

This capacity funding will be used in the Middle Willamette and Yamhill Agricultural Water Quality Management Areas (AWQMAs) of Oregon. This project assists the Polk Soil and Water Conservation District to address the ongoing need to improve and protect water quality on agricultural lands in accordance with the goals of the Area Plans and the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. The Polk Soil and Water Conservation District will serve as the Local Management Agency, leading efforts to engage agricultural landowners and provide technical assistance; implement targeted water quality improvement projects; develop and strengthen partnerships with agencies, watershed councils, and other stakeholders; monitor land and water conditions; apply adaptive management strategies; and support the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) in conducting biennial reviews. Project partners include the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Benton, Polk, and Yamhill SWCDs, local watershed councils, and the Local Advisory Committees (LACs) for each area.
Although this engagement effort will result in future restoration, Polk SWCD is unable to estimate the value of treatments leveraged at this time.

The Polk Soil and Water Conservation District (Polk SWCD) actively works with agricultural and rural landowners and land managers to reduce soil erosion, improve riparian habitat, and lower stream temperature to benefit salmonids and other wildlife. This project supports a robust outreach and engagement program, supporting activities with volunteers to treat and remove invasive riparian weeds, engaging the community through our website and media, and partnering with other organizations with presentations, workshops, events, and other tools to promote responsibility and conservation in and around our riparian habitat.