Agricultural activities may contribute significantly to riparian and instream habitat degradation locally and across the landscape. A shift from conventional to sustainable agricultural practices would reduce or eliminate impacts to riparian and aquatic habitats and their fish and wildlife communities. Protection of RHAs, conservation tillage, use of cover crops, integrated pest management, use of non-chemical alternatives to pesticides, and alternative irrigation systems that reduce water use, erosion, and return flows are all techniques that should be explored and implemented across the landscape (Grue et al. 1989). Below are recommendations for protecting riparian and stream habitat in agricultural areas. Also, see the recommendations regarding grazing (p. 97) and chemical treatments (p. 104). The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends that farmers seek further assistance from local soil scientists, fish and wildlife biologists, and agricultural professionals in order to develop more specific agricultural activity plans using the guidelines presented here.
Skagit River System Cooperative, 2005. Skagit Chinook Recovery Plan: Appendix F: Excerps from Management Recommendations for Washington’s Priority Habitats. Skagit River System Cooperative, La Conner, WA. pp. 3.
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