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NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection Makes Four-year Commitment with
Watershed Agricultural Council
to Continue Clean Water Efforts
in Catskill Region |
WALTON, NY - The Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) has renewed its long-term contractual agreement through 2012 with the New York City (NYC) Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to continue the Watershed Agricultural and Forestry Programs. This commitment on the part of NYC to maintaining clean water and to the technical and promotional support of farming and forestry is described under the 2007 Filtration Avoidance Determination issued by Federal and State regulators. The resources provided by DEP enable the WAC to work with farm and forest landowners to apply conservation stewardship practices on private lands that help to maintain clean drinking water for nine million water consumers in the NYC metropolitan area. The contract took effect January 1, 2009.
"We're pleased to renew our contract with the DEP and to continue our important work with landowners in the NYC watershed, along with supporting economic development in the watershed region," noted Tom O'Brien, Executive Director for the Watershed Agricultural Council. "Private landowners voluntarily participate in our programs both to improve their farming and forestry practices and for public benefit - a true win-win situation. There are five unfiltered surface water supply sources serving major metropolitan areas in the United States. The New York City watershed leads the nation in voluntary participation by landowners and the extent of resources provided by the water users. I believe the water rate payers of the NYC metropolitan area are making a good investment in the long-term protection of their water supply while the upstate farm and forest landowners are able to operate their industries, benefiting our local economy."
Since its incorporation in 1992, the WAC has been working with DEP to implement water quality protection measures -- known as Best Management Practices or BMPs. These BMPs reduce water pollution by improving farming and forestry practices. "What we are doing works," said WAC Chairman Fred Huneke," as year after year the City's water passes strict testing requirements. The WAC voluntary programs are a major component of the City's efforts to protect its water supply. The DEP has spent over a billion dollars regionally to accomplish this and we are proud to be one cornerstone of its watershed protection program. Our collaborative efforts have paid off, permitting the DEP to avoid having to build a multi-billion dollar filtration plant and instead infuse much-needed capital into farm and forestry conservation projects."
The WAC employs 40 people in the NYC watershed along with contracting with various federal, state and county agencies such as Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services for the technical and educational expertise that these agency staff provide. The WAC also works with almost 1000 landowners to enlist private contractors to develop conservation plans and construct conservation practices in accordance with these plans.
The WAC mission is to support the economic viability of agriculture and forestry through the protection of water quality and the promotion of land conservation in the New York City watershed region. The WAC is funded by The New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Forest Service and other federal and foundation sources. The WAC is an equal opportunity employer and provider. For more information, visit www.nycwatershed.org.
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
START DATE: Jan. 15, 2009
END DATE: Jan. 31, 2009 |
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SUMMARY: More than 100 regional jobs, agencies and small businesses benefit from NYC DEP's dedication to drinking water standards achieved through natural filtration methods. |
RELEASE CONTACT:
Executive Director(607) 865-7790, ext. 103 |
WAC CONTACT:
Tara Collins
Communications Director
(607) 865-7017, ext. 226
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The Watershed Agricultural Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the economic viability of agriculture and forestry through the protection of water quality and the promotion of land conservation in the New York City Watershed region. The WAC is funded by The New York City Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service and other federal, foundation and private sources. The WAC is an Equal Opportunity Providers and Employers.
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