(1) Chapter 360, Laws of 2011 establishes the voluntary stewardship program as an alternative approach for counties to protect critical areas on agricultural lands. The voluntary stewardship program is not limited to designated agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance. The program is administered by the conservation commission.

(2) A county that chooses to participate in the program is required to develop work plans to protect critical areas while maintaining the viability of agriculture through voluntary, incentive-based measures.

(3) If a watershed is subject to RCW 36.70A.735(2) then a county is given eighteen months to take one of four actions.

(4) The purpose of this chapter is to adopt rules to implement procedures for two of those four options: Department approval of a watershed work plan under RCW 36.70A.735 (1)(a); and department certification of development regulations under RCW 36.70A.735 (1)(c).

(5) This chapter is established pursuant to RCW 36.70A.735(3).