What Is a Strategic Implementation Area?
A Strategic Implementation Area (SIA) is a geographic area of focus selected by the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), in coordination with local partners, with the intent of providing targeted outreach and assistance for landowners to implement projects that improve water quality in the local watershed, while helping landowners adhere to state regulations.
4 Key Components of the Strategic Implementation Area Initiative
- Demonstrate compliance with Oregon’s agriculture water quality regulations.
- Voluntary, incentive-based conservation.
- Monitoring to track water quality and land conditions.
- Locally-led collaborative partnerships.
Learn more information about SIAs from ODA (PDF). For more information on the Upper Yaquina Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), visit the DEQ Website.
ODA’s Evaluation Process
ODA remotely identifies opportunities for water quality improvement within agricultural lands by reviewing aerial imagery, maps, stream and drainage locations, property boundaries, soils, and well logs. The presence of an agricultural activity (such as livestock or cropping), slope, proximity to the waterbody, size of the waterbody, and stream type (seasonal or year-round) are considered when identifying potential water quality impacts. ODA also completes a field evaluation from public viewpoints to verify results from the remote evaluation and document any additional observations.
Why the Upper Yaquina Watershed?
ODA’s SIA selection process includes the location of agricultural lands and streams, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) list of impaired waterbodies, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) local fish habitat priorities.
- Local Agricultural Concerns: Unmanaged livestock access to streams, soil erosion
- Water Quality Concerns: Stream temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, Sediment, Bacteria
SIA Implementation Process
Landowner Engagement
- ODA sends the owners of all evaluated properties informational letters and SIA outreach materials.
- Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District (LSWCD) and local partners work to engage landowners in voluntary incentive-based conservation.
Technical Assistance
- Lincoln SWCD is available to offer technical assistance to all landowners in the SIA to help address water quality concerns, provide conservation planning and technical resources, support on-the-ground project design, and assist in applying for incentive-based funding where available.
Compliance
- ODA initiates the compliance process where potential water quality concerns remain. If a compliance investigation is opened, ODA’s compliance process is followed.
Monitoring
- Lincoln SWCD along with local partners, will develop a monitoring plan to evaluate landscape conditions and water quality.
Do You Live Within the Bales Creek-Yaquina River or Little Elk Creek Watersheds?
Lincoln SWCD can provide technical assistance and guide you through Best Management Practices (BMPs) that can be implemented on your property to address water quality concerns. Contact Lincoln SWCD today to learn more!