Land and Water Policy Summit

November 4 from 2-5pm at the Tulalip Resort and Conference Center

The summit was open to all, but specifically targeted principal constituents in agriculture and fisheries, along with governmental and educational agencies involved in land and water issues. 

Summit participants had the chance to listen to case studies where successful farmland and habitat conservation policies have been developed and implemented with stakeholder support.  Also speaking were leaders in the agriculture industry and the salmon habitat restoration effort in Western Washington. 

The potential for finding common ground between agriculture and fisheries is great.  Snohomish County like many local jurisdictions is working toward a balance of regulations, policy and voluntary programs to best protect and preserve prime farmlands and to protect and restore salmon habitat.  Learning from others successes and working together as a region is the best possible solution for keeping agricultural lands here to stay.  By identifying key issues, partners and a strategy to move forward, we can successfully preserve the future of agriculture while enhancing fish recovery efforts. 

Speakers included:

• Executive Aaron Reardon
• Brian Bookey, Chair of Snohomish County Agricultural Board & owner of National Food Corporation
• Mike Bireley, Director, Water & Environmental Center, Walla Walla Community College
• Mike Shelby, Director, Western Washington Agricultural Association
• Terry Williams, Commissioner of Fisheries and Natural Resources, Tulalip Tribes

For more information, please contact Ryan Hembree, Agricultural Coordinator, at ryan.hembree@snoco.org or 425-388-7112.