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NY receives $11 million to protect waterways from agricultural runoff

Jul. 23, 2012, Albany, NY – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced $10.6 million in grants to help 159 farms in 27 counties protect New York’s lakes, streams and rivers from agricultural runoff. The funds were granted, after a competitive process, to county Soil and Water Conservation Districts to help preserve water quality in major watersheds throughout New York State.

“New York’s vast network of lakes, streams and rivers are a natural treasure, enjoyed each year by our residents for recreational activities as well providing a source of quality drinking water,” Governor Cuomo said. “These grants will help our farmers implement safeguards to keep potential agricultural runoff out of our water ways and preserve’s New York’s natural beauty for future generations to enjoy, while supporting jobs and economic activity in communities across the state.”

The grants are part of the New York State Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program which is funded through the Environmental Protection Fund. The recipients are chosen via a competitive process that awards cost-share funding to county soil and water districts to help farms address water quality challenges in priority watersheds throughout the state. Eligible projects include those that develop comprehensive nutrient management plans or implement best management practices to protect water quality while maintaining the economic viability of the farm. Examples of projects include grazing systems to prevent soil erosion, vegetative buffers along streams to filter runoff and nutrient management systems for watershed protection. Since 1993, New York State has dedicated more than $110 million for similar water quality projects.

Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine said, “A well-managed farm is considered a preferred land use for conserving natural resources. By investing in our farms and giving them an incentive to implement state-of-the-art conservation practices, we are not only benefiting our environment, we are helping establish more viable farm businesses and ensuring the continued production of a fresh, local food supply. Additionally, these projects stimulate jobs and economic activity with the use of construction companies and materials for the awarded projects at the local level.”

George Proios, NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee Chairman said, “Investing state funds in these projects makes it possible for County Soil and Water Districts to leverage dollars from numerous sources to get conservation on the ground, which often does as much for the local economy as it does for the environment. In some cases, these water quality projects can save communities on water treatment costs and protect public health and safety. This work helps our farms thrive, supporting jobs and local businesses, while also protecting the state’s natural resources, enjoyed by residents and tourists alike.”

This round of awards include:
Allegany County Soil & Water Conservation District……………………………………..$207,630
Broome County Soil & Water Conservation District…………………………………..$318,500
Cattaraugus County Soil & Water Conservation District…………………………………$434,717
Cayuga County Soil & Water Conservation District……………………………………$601,481
Chautauqua County Soil & Water Conservation District……………………………..$898,281
Chenango County Soil & Water Conservation District……………………………………$190,520
Columbia County Soil & Water Conservation District……………………………………..$81,447
Cortland County Soil & Water Conservation District………………………………………$1,551,162
Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District……………………………………..$678,835
Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District……………………………………….$189,218
Genesee County Soil & Water Conservation District………………………………………$91,651
Herkimer County Soil & Water Conservation District……………………………………..$166,314
Lewis County Soil & Water Conservation District………………………………………….$305,725
Livingston County Soil & Water Conservation District……………………………………$91,273
Madison County Soil & Water Conservation District………………………………………$86,453
Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District……………………………………….$1,119,929
Oneida County Soil & Water Conservation District………………………………………..$104,900
Onondaga County Soil & Water Conservation District……………………………………$564,476
Ontario County Soil & Water Conservation District……………………………………….$300,025
Orange County Soil & Water Conservation District……………………………………….$189,250
Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District……………………………………….$335,569
Otsego County Soil & Water Conservation District……………………………………$16,185
St. Lawrence County Soil & Water Conservation District……………………………$1,051,898
Saratoga County Soil & Water Conservation District…………………………………$209,770
Steuben County Soil & Water Conservation District………………………………….$459,795
Suffolk County Soil & Water Conservation District……………………………………$160,603
Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District……………………………..$276,622

Total Funding……………………………………………………………………………$10,682,229