Senate Resolution No. 3051

BY: Senator MURPHY

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the
Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation
District

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that the
continuing welfare of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly
enriched and reliably served by the purposeful endeavors of
organizations which are committed to the preservation of our natural
environment and the enhancement of the appreciation of the distinctive
features of our surroundings, and to the economic well-being of the
areas in which they exist; and

WHEREAS, It is further the practice of this Legislative Body to
recognize that the quality and character of life in the communities
across New York State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated
efforts of those organizations and individuals who would devote
themselves to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Westchester County Soil and
Water Conservation District, and to recognize the important role it
plays in its community; and

WHEREAS, Established in 1967 under New York State Soil and Water
Conservation Districts Law by the then County Board of Supervisors, the
Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District is charged with
developing and carrying out soil, water and related natural resources
conservation, management and educational activities; and

WHEREAS, The Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District
provides the opportunity for Westchester County to obtain non-County
funds for projects and activities that help the County meet its
obligations associated with storm water and natural resources management
while offering assistance to residents and people working in the County
with matters specific to soil and water conservation; and

WHEREAS, With a goal to better its community and the surrounding
area, the Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District is
guided by a seven-member Board of Directors appointed by the County
Executive, and professionals from the Westchester County Planning
Department carry out the District's work program; and

WHEREAS, The Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District
has a distinct suburban and urban-oriented work program focused on soil
and water resources and ecological conservation and management which
helps the County address its obligations under State and federal
guidelines, policies and regulations; and

WHEREAS, The objectives of the Westchester County Soil and Water
Conservation District are also tailored to the unique ecological
diversity of Westchester County, where the Hudson River, Long Island
Sound and Croton River watersheds define its borders and character; and


WHEREAS, From its humble beginnings, the Westchester County Soil and
Water Conservation District continues its partnership with regional,
state and federal agencies and organizations, as well as municipalities,
to further mutual soil and water conservation and management goals and
objectives; District staff also continue to provide both technical
services and information to the public, including the preparation of
soil group worksheets for agricultural tax reassessments; and

WHEREAS, The Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District
has grown into a far reaching organization which considers a wide range
of concerns, such as restoring streams, floodplains, freshwater and
tidal wetlands, and other natural resources to improve water quality and
fish and wildlife habitat; retrofitting and installing storm water
management practices to improve water quality and control excessive
storm water runoff; protecting and managing streams, wetlands, ponds,
lakes, reservoirs and floodplains; controlling erosion and
sedimentation, and polluted storm water runoff by advocating the use of
best management practices through public education and outreach;
encouraging and facilitating the development and implementation of soil
and water resource conservation practices and strategies based on
watershed-wide perspectives and analyses; and promoting sound soil and
water resource conservation techniques and natural resource stewardship
through public outreach and education; and

WHEREAS, Amongst its many accomplishments, the Westchester County
Soil and Water Conservation District is a long-standing co-sponsor of
the Hudson Valley Regional Envirothon, coordinates the annual
Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation Awards, and over the
years and decades, has funded countless conservation projects throughout
Westchester County; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Westchester County Soil and Water
Conservation District is in direct correlation to the efforts of its
staff, District Manager Robert Doscher and District Planner Kay
Eisenman, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an
impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising
standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the District and
the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous leadership of Jan Blaire, Chair
of the Board of Directors, and Board members Christopher Arnold, Nicole
Collins, Brittany Patane, Sandra Reyes Guerra, Peter Senatore and Terry
Singer, the Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District
continues to protect its natural surroundings for the benefit of present
and future generations of its residents and all New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
acknowledges the Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District
and its contributions to environmental conservation throughout the
County and State, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy the
sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the
continuing welfare of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly
enriched and reliably served by the purposeful endeavors of
organizations who are committed to the preservation of our natural
environment and the enhancement of the appreciation of the distinctive

features of our surroundings, and to the economic well-being of the
areas in which they exist; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Westchester County Soil and
Water Conservation District; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Jan Blaire, Chair of the Board of Directors, Westchester
County Soil and Water Conservation District.