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A proposed wetland project was lauded as “alternative agriculture” and derided as destructive to farmland during a public hearing Thursday.

It was the second day of testimony about Clear Valley Farm’s proposal, which would require a shoreline permit and among others and is the subject of environmental appeals from Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland, Skagit County Farm Bureau Inc. and Friends of Skagit County. Testimony before Skagit County Hearing Examiner Wick Dufford is scheduled to continue today and next week.

Clear Valley plans to convert a 400-acre former dairy farm into a wetlands-mitigation bank, along Nookachamps Creek west of Highway 9 on the east side of Mount Vernon. Developers could then purchase credits from the bank to offset wetland destruction incurred during construction elsewhere. Clear Valley also wants to harvest seeds and cuttings from native plants at the property, which supporters say is a form of farming.

“I think this is a way to keep land in agriculture,” said Leonard Ballek, a restoration ecologist hired by Clear Valley. “... It is the same skills for this as it is for a regular farm.”

Ballek, who works for Herrera Environmental Consulting, said seeds and cuttings would be gathered by hand from native plants and trees. And that the growing native plant industry would likely offer employment and subcontracting opportunities for local farmers.

Opponents said that Clear Valley’s plan to fill drainage ditches and construct log jams would be putting great hay and grazing land underwater and could flood neighboring farms.

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