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FIVE NYC WATERSHED COUNTIES, July 26, 2010 - Regional landowners involved with livestock operations in the New York City Watershed are eligible for incentive payments through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP).
In 2010, $120,000 in AWEP funds will pay farmers for following approved nutrient management plans addressing on-farm manure and agricultural waste. Farms in parts of Delaware, Sullivan, Schoharie, Green, and Ulster Counties are encouraged to apply.
"This program will provide funding and advice to farmers who want to improve nutrient management on their land," said NRCS State Conservationist Astor Boozer. "The AWEP project in New York is one of 28 NRCS funded nationwide. Locally, we want to protect and preserve the drinking water supply system for New York City. The city's water supply system daily delivers one billion gallons of drinking water to over 9 million people."
NRCS is partnering with the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) to deliver the project. The WAC will provide technical resources which will leverage the federal investment in protecting water quality. "By working together with NRCS, we can help farmers effectively manage the application of manure from livestock operations which will ensure the quality of over one billion gallons of drinking water provided daily to over nine million people in and around New York City," said Craig Cashman, the Council's Executive Director.
Livestock farmers within the project area must sign up for the program by August 6. Eligible landowners can earn $10 or more per acre annually, with a three-year commitment, through AWEP. To submit an application, contact NRCS at (607) 865-7090.
Applicants will be ranked and then funded until the AWEP incentive is fully awarded. "Participants will be required to keep detailed records of manure applications and will be required to submit these records for review each year," added Larry Hulle, Agricultural Program Manager for the Council. "A landowner who enrolls in AWEP will receive the incentive payments at year-end, after precisely implementing their Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) and submitting manure application records for review to document compliance. The Program's Nutrient Management Team (NMT) will compile and summarize participant records and compare the actual applications to the rates and timing requirements contained in the farm's NMP. A Peer Review Committee will review the summarized records, evaluate each participant's records, and certify (or not certify) compliance with the NMP. Payment will then be authorized for farms with certified compliance." Participants are also encouraged to attend a Nutrient Management Workshop which will explain the program process and the concepts of water-quality protection through nutrient management planning.
This regional AWEP project assigned to the New York City watershed was the only one awarded in New York State. Established by the 2008 Farm Bill, AWEP funding comes from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). AWEP promotes ground and surface water conservation and improves water quality by helping farmers implement agricultural water enhancement activities. Visit the programs section of the NRCS web page (www.nrcs.usda.gov) for more information.
The Watershed Agricultural Council helps private landowners to improve their farm and forest lands in order to protect clean drinking water for nine million New York City residents. The Council works with nearly 1,000 property landowners in developing conservation plans and applying those practices in accordance with farm and forest management plans. The Council's 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 nonprofit 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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