Livestock and Horse Owners

The fertile soil of the Stillaguamish River valley provides lush pastures for cows, horses, and other livestock. The manure they generate is also a valuable resource that can be recycled back into the ground, returning nutrients to the soil, thereby enriching growth of vegetation. The key is to keep the nutrients and the soil where they belong, and not lose them as runoff into ditches, streams and the river.

Use these livestock “big three” best management practices to protect the land and water, while safeguarding residents’ investments at the same time:

  • Install livestock heavy-use areas to keep pasture soils and grass healthy
  • Compost or store manure appropriately and apply it at proper agronomic rates
  • Fence livestock away from streams and allow grass or native plants to filter surface water before it reaches the stream

Resources