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Naneum Creek Operator Takes Proactive Approach to Up and Coming Regulatory Requirements

Submitted by Sarah Troutman, Resource Conservationist, Ellensburg 

When Doss Roberts, his wife Edra, and two children took over the 150 acre family farm on Naneum Creek approximately 10 miles north of Ellensburg in the late 1970s, he quickly realized that upgrades to irrigation infrastructure and grazing management would be a necessity to keep the farm in business, along with complying with future environmental regulations.  Doss has lived on this small beef cattle operation, comprised of irrigated acreage and native rangeland, his entire life.  It was originally purchased by his father in 1938. 

Naneum Creek is a perennial stream that has historically supported steelhead, salmon, and bull trout and their habitat.  As settlers and irrigation moved into the Kittitas Valley, check dams and unscreened diversions quickly characterized the look of the majority of the streams in the county, including this one. Doss had three main regulatory concerns to deal with 1) the impending Acquevella Water Rights Adjudication and how it would affect his ability to stay in the agriculture business; 2) The impending regulations regarding unscreened diversions on Naneum Creek and; 3) up and coming regulations regarding point and non-point source pollution of creeks from run-off water.  Doss also wanted to be able to conserve his water and increase production on the 50 acres of property irrigated by earthen ditches and a small amount of gated pipe. 

Doss began inquiring about the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and what kind of cost-shares were available in the late 90's.  In 2002, he received a call from the district conservationist at the time, saying that additional EQIP funding had become available due to another applicant dropping out.  After NRCS field staff completed an initial benchmark inventory of the farm, they were able to offer Mr. Roberts several alternatives.  Doss chose to install a pivot system on the farm to cover the 50 acres that was flood irrigated.  NRCS also was just beginning to recommend fish screens at that point and Doss jumped on the chance to get one in prior to it being mandatory and while funds were still available.  Irrigation water management and nutrient management were also an important part of this plan.  This phase of the project was completed in the fall of 2003. 

In 2006, Doss came back into the office after pending AFO/CAFO regulations were announced.  Mr. Robert’s corral system, used to work approximately 50 pair of beef cattle, was immediately adjacent to Naneum Creek.  Off site watering had already been provided, but the overflow from the tank area ran directly back into the creek.  The family’s horses did have a crossing area and unlimited access to the creek as well.  There was undoubtedly a water quality concern that needed to be addressed.  Although these corrals were not used as a feedlot system but simply for working animals and providing doctoring, the use in them exceeded the 45 day maximum timeframe mandated to meet AFO/CAFO criteria.  This application received high priority within the Big Bend team to be funded due to the fact that the stream supported listed anadromous-salmonid and contributed surface water runoff to the Wilson Creek sub-basin which has an active TMDL on it.  The application, resultantly, was funded and construction began in fall of 2006 to install permanent off-site watering and move the corrals. 

The Kittitas County Conservation District (KCCD) also provided invaluable technical and financial assistance to implement this stage of his project.  Fortunately, Doss had installed a pond on his property some years ago and was able to pump out of that for livestock water and eliminate using creek water altogether. The old corral system was removed and completely revegetated with woody material.  More than 60 yards of topsoil were moved, removing the old manure and soil from the site and bringing in new fill for the trees and shrubs to be planted in.   

A new corral system was installed more than 200 feet from the creek allowing adequate buffers between it and the stream to filter out bacteria and sediment.

 Overall, this project provided multiple benefits for both the environment and the landowner.  Doss said that by being able to install a pivot irrigation system he has seen his amount of animal units nearly quadruple on his land.  He began with 30 pair of beef cattle and had to rent additional pasture to feed them throughout the year.  He is currently running 50 pair on his own private property and is able to get an additional cutting for hay.  More efficient use and application of water also means he can more confidently invest money back into the farm and has started an extensive re-seeding program which has been extremely successful.  Weeds and parasitic flies have also been reduced dramatically improving the health of his grazing animals.  He no longer has to worry about the use or contamination of creek water for his animals.  He also has eliminated the concern of current and pending environmental regulations that could have possibly been posed upon him and his farm.  As Doss stated, “iIf the little guy is going to survive, he’s got to get some help.”  The help in this case was the excellent technical and financial assistance Doss received through KCCD and NRCS.

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