Yamhill SWCD Capacity Grant 2025/27

The purpose of this project is to implement the applicable Agricultural Water Quality Management Area Plan (Area Plan) by using the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) as the local management agency to the fullest extent practical. In this project, the SWCD will: (1) engage agricultural landowners and provide technical assistance, (2) implement projects to improve agricultural water quality, (3) develop partnerships to support this project, (4) monitor or evaluate conditions, (5) use adaptive management to support continuous improvement, and (6) support ODA in conducting biennial reviews of Area Plans. This project will contribute to achieving the goals of the Area Plan and to implementation of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds on agricultural lands. This project includes targeted work identified in the SWCD’s agricultural water quality Scope of Work (SOW) and Focus Area Action Plan (FAAP).

The primary goals and purpose of this project is to improve water quality and riparian habitat through landowner engagement, outreach/education, and technical assistance. Water quality parameters of concern that are targeted for improvement include temperature and sedimentation. Riparian habitat projects focus on expanding vegetated riparian buffers which can provide shade to help cool stream temperatures and creates a filter to decrease sedimentation and nutrient inputs from entering into waterways. Other water quality related projects may involve the use of our no-till drill rental program and excluding livestock from riparian areas by installing fencing, both of which help to minimize nutrient and sediment transport into waterways.