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Watershed Agricultural Council and Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District Continue 16-year relationship serving watershed communities. |
WALTON, NY, July 7, 2009 - The Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) and Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) recently executed a 19-month contract for $1.6 million in technical services. The contract provides for ten related jobs important to WAC's Agricultural Program's construction projects known as Best Management Practices (BMPs). The contract, effective June 1, extends a 16-year relationship between the two agencies. The WAC administers funding provided by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection with various agencies across watershed's eight counties; its contract with Delaware County Soil & Water District was one of several executed this year.
"The Soil & Water Conservation District has been integral to the success of the Watershed Agricultural Program," noted Fred Huneke, WAC Board Chairman. "Back in 1991, we entered into a relationship SWCD. Together, with the help of other agencies as well, we've projects on the ground that improve farmer livelihood while improving water quality for nine million New York City residents. This partnership goes beyond pen and paper; what we're doing on the farm positively impacts people living in watershed communities, as well as the City." The WAC-SWCD contract provides for ten jobs: a technical coordinator, six technical staff and three support positions in GIS (geographic information systems), database and IT (information technology). All positions are based out of the Watershed Agricultural Program office in Walton.
"SWCD has 66 years of experience in applying conservation practices in Delaware County. Landowners ultimately benefit from this partnership with a valued, experienced partner like SWCD. This newly signed contract allows us to continue our 16-year affiliation with SWCD, with the District providing technical planning, survey and design of BMP installations," added Brian LaTourette, Agricultural Program Manager at WAC. "Along with the technical expertise, our partnership thrives on our ability to move projects to completion without an extended wait period for permitting, allowing landowners to see faster turnaround times for project implementation."
In 2009, the Agricultural Program plans to install $2.9 million in over 400 BMPs within the Catskill/Delaware Watershed. A significant portion of these projects occur in Delaware County, which has the largest number of farms enrolled in the WAC's Whole Farm Planning administered by the Agricultural Program. In 2008, the Agricultural Program placed 349 BMPs worth $1.9 million in on-farm improvements located within the Catskill/Delaware Watershed. Another 75 BMPs totaling $225,757 were placed on small farms in 2008. While improving farm profitability, the BMPs are responsible for improving or maintaining clean drinking water within the 1,594-square-mile Catskill/Delaware water supply system. The Cat/Del incorporates Delaware, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster counties, and includes six reservoirs west of the Hudson River and three reservoirs in Westchester County.
To date, with funding from NYC DEP and other sources, the Council has infused over $31 million into the area and completed more than 5,400 infrastructure improvements throughout the watershed region's farming community. The WAC meets its technical demands by contracting with Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Cornell Cooperative Extensions, the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency and other regional conservation organizations to carry out its clean water mission. The WAC works with almost 1,000 landowners to enlist private contractors to develop conservation plans and construct conservation practices in accordance with farm and forest management plans.
The New York City watershed covers an area of 1.2 million acres and contains 19 water supply reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes within the Cat/Del and Croton watersheds. The City's water is unfiltered, one of only five metropolitan water sources nationwide that do not undergo significant water treatment protocols. This is in large part due to the success of the New York City Watershed's voluntary program whereby landowners agree to apply conservation practices on their properties. The New York City Watershed supplies 1.4 billion gallons of drinking water to residents each day.
For more information on the WAC's Agricultural Program, visit www.nycwatershed.org or contact Brian LaTourette at (607) 865-7090, ext. 284. For more information on the Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District, contact Rick Weidenbach at (607) 865-7090, ext. 202.
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
START: July 16, 2009
END: August 15, 2009 |
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SUMMARY: WAC subcontracted DCSWCD to provide technical services to its Agricultural Program. Ten jobs and $1.6-million represents significant part of regional watershed industry. SWCD will assist WAC in installing $2.9-million worth of watershed projects in 2009 with funding from the NYC DEP. |
RELEASE CONTACT:
Agricultural Program Manager
(607) 865-7090 x284 |
WAC CONTACT:
Tara Collins
Communications Director
(607) 865-7090 x226
(607) 643-5148 cell |
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 Provider and Employer.
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