On March 15, 2005, agriculture officials and partners in the new Enhanced Conservation Resource Enhancement Program (ECREP) met at Ralph Duyck's farm in Forest Grove, Oregon, to commemorate the successful beginnings of this voluntary conservation program that pays farmers to plant native trees and shrubs to protect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat.

In attendance were:

Ralph Duyck, Agricultural Landowner

John McDonald, Oregon Association of Conservation Districts ,Executive Director

Larry Ojua, Oregon Department of Agriculture Program Manager

Larry Frey, USDA Farm Service Agency State Executive Director

Bob App, Natural Resources Conservation Service District Conservationist

Stephanie Page, Oregon Department of Agriculture Water Quality Planner

Lois Loop, USDA Farm Service Agency Conservation Program Specialist

Ken Bierly, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Director

Fritz Paulus, Oregon Water Trust Executive Director

Pam Herinckx, Tualatin SWCD Manager/Resource Technician

Gail Stinnett, USDA FSA Washington/Columbia County Executive Director

Kay C. VanNatta, USDA FSA Washington/Columbia County Committee Chair

Amber Reese, Tualatin SWCD Landowner Incentive Program Coordinator

April Olbrich, Tualatin River Watershed Council Coordinator

Greg Vandeheye, Agricultural Landowner

Craig Dye, Clean Water Services Watershed Management Division Manager

Bruce Cordon, Clean Water Services Water Resource Analyst

Sheri Wantland, Clean Water Services Public Involvement Coordinator

Jo McIntire, Capital Press Reporter

John McDonald thanked Ralph Duyck for hosting the event and noted the agriculture community is known for promoting good practices, business management, and conservation. McDonald has served on the board of the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District and is a current member of the Clean Water Advisory Commission (CWAC). He also serves on the Stream Protection Opportunities Technical Advisory Committee (SPOTAC) which helped develop Enhanced CREP after two years of analysis of a number of options. He thanked Craig Dye and Bruce Cordon for their leadership in developing the Enhanced CREP option. "Clean Water Services has a significant role and is on the cutting edge with the nation's first watershed-based permit. This is a first in rural/urban partnerships and both parties win," he said.

"Two federal agencies, three state agencies, two local agencies, Clean Water Services, and the landowner all stepped out of the box, and each had to go through approval and authorization processes to make this happen."

Larry Frey said CREP started in 1998, and Oregon is the fifth state to participate. Although the early years were a struggle, it is starting to roll now and more than 500 miles are enrolled. Since 1998, $20 million has been spent, plus $5 million for cost share to farmers and $4 million in incentives. The money returns to the Oregon economy and is a big part of agricultural economics. Frey credited one person with putting a lot of effort into the partnerships and honored her by presenting a plaque to Gail Stinnett.

Craig Dye thanked all the partners for making this rural/urban collaboration possible and especially acknowledged John McDonald for his leadership.

Bruce Cordon described Clean Water Services' interest as the wastewater treatment provider for nearly 500,000 urban residents with new DEQ requirements to address water temperature to meet federal Clean Water Act standards. Instead of choosing heavily engineered solutions that would cost $100-150 million, the partners made a natural solution possible. "It has been a joy to work on this, and the farming community has been an excellent resource," he said.

John McDonald said that, as chair of SPOTAC, he is excited to see the total watershed approach. ECREP is just the first phase. The second phase will involve non-industrial woodlands, and the third phase will be in urban areas.

Pam Herinckx said she appreciated the opportunity to participate on SPOTAC to collaborate with all the partners. She introduced Amber Reese whom the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District had hired to work with the farmers.

Amber Reese described her duties, which include facilitating conversations with the landowners, assisting with administration of the program, and contract management. McDonald elaborated that the program also requires technical assistance, site visits, marketing, and drafting plans.

April Olbrich commented that the Tualatin River Watershed Council had been the venue for public comment for the development of ECREP and its companion program VEGBACC.

Larry Ojua praised the partners for overcoming the technical barriers to the conservation program and thanked Clean Water Services for dedicating technical assistance and additional funding for enhanced rental rates for the landowners. He said, "This will make the program attractive in Washington County, helping landowners meet water quality standards and SB 1010." Ojua offered special thanks to Lois Loop and Stephanie Page for their work.

Stephanie Page presented Ralph Duyck with a T-shirt and hat.

Bob App thanked the partners and acknowledged Dean Moberg for his work on developing the new program. "ECREP will make it easier for landowners to participate and protect fish habitat by planting trees that will shade and cool from the headwaters of the Tualatin to where it enters the Willamette River," he said. "Running a farm and managing riparian areas can be pretty time-consuming, and Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District can help." He noted that Ralph Duyck has been a conservation farmer all his life.

Ken Bierly reminisced that Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) has been working since 1997 on a vision of conservation opportunities with landowners, with the original focus on salmon habitat. "I'm excited about the interest in programs that fit Oregon's incredible agricultural diversity," he said. OWEB will continue to be a silent partner and will keep sending the checks to help fund the programs.

Fritz Paulus described the Oregon Water Trust's mission to restore surface water flows for healthy streams. "We compensate landowners to keep water in streams for aquatic health for listed salmon species and steelhead," he commented. "We are delighted to partner with Clean Water Services to bring extra payment of rental rates to landowners." He noted the program keeps land productive, and water rights will benefit the streams. Bonneville Power Administration is a funding partner, as well.

John McDonald thanked the Washington County Commission which also serves as the Clean Water Services Board of Directors for approving and funding the project.

Ralph Duyck said his family has run the dairy of 60 cows at this site for 37 years. The land is all irrigated and has the potential to raise 150 crops. He explained that the original CREP didn't work because the rental rates were too low. "Farmers, ranchers, and foresters are this country's conservationists--they've got their thumbs on the soil. This is a totally renewable resource," he said. "I support conservation for water quality and habitat, so if you put a few bucks with it, I'm ready to go!"

Greg Vandeheye said Gail had tried to get him to sign up. "We have a fear that if we turn our property over to the federal government, we'll never get it back. But this is looking pretty good," he said.

Larry Frey added, "Washington County is standing out. Our success will spread throughout the state. There is an opportunity for other utilities, and this is just the beginning." He praised John McDonald as a great conservationist who has provided leadership throughout Oregon.

Asked to describe what was planned for the Duyck farm conservation programs, Amber Reese said 26 acres would be enrolled and approximately 25,000 trees and shrubs would be planted. She pointed out the perennial ditch and East Fork of Dairy Creek where the existing tree buffer would be enhanced with inter-planting of Western red cedar. Due to various activities on the farm, there will be four separate contracts (3 ECREP and one CREP) to specify the conservation agreements. The plant stock will come from local nurseries under contract with Clean Water Services. The plantings will begin in February 2006, with professional crews doing the work.

The mature trees may be harvested after the contracts expire, if the landowner follows the Forest Practices Act. Conservation easements are another potential option for landowners, on a strictly voluntary basis, with the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District prepared to hold the easements.

Bob App pointed out that this conservation program is unique in that it came with staffing. "Amber works directly with the landowners," he said. "Many programs don't get the staffing they need to succeed."

The meeting ended with the planting of a Western red cedar and an Indian plum tree in the rich soil of the Duyck farm.

Landowner Ralph Duyck and Oregon Clean Water Services analyst Bruce Cordon plant tree to commemorate the Enhanced Oregon CREP.