Sen. Griffo: North Country Soil and Water Conservation Districts awarded funding

State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-I-C-Rome, announced today that several water quality conservation projects in his district will be receiving funding from the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program.

The projects and the funding amounts they will receive are:

• $1,191,103 to the Lewis County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with a farm in the Roaring Brook–Black River Watershed. The project will provide for improved nutrient management by increasing the farm’s ability to store manure during high risk spreading conditions, protect the drinking water supply for the City of Watertown and keep the farm economically viable while protecting natural resources.
• $64,795 to the Lewis County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with two farms in the Mill Creek/Black Creek/Stony Creek Watersheds. The project will implement various best management practice systems to reduce agricultural nonpoint source pollution, further goals identified in the Black River Watershed Management Plan and 9- Element Plan and implement approximately 50 acres of cover crops to improve and protection soil health.
• $202,214 to the St. Lawrence County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with a farm in the Grass River Watershed. The project will reduce and prevent nutrient runoff into the watershed and provide for improved nutrient management increasing the farm’s ability to store manure during high risk spreading conditions.

“This funding will provide important resources that will help to ensure that our environment and our water quality is better protected,” Sen. Griffo said. “These investments also will assist farmers with improving their facilities and will hopefully enhance agriculture throughout our state.”

Established by New York State in 1994, the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program assists farmers in preventing water pollution from agricultural activities by providing technical assistance and financial incentives. County Soil and Water Conservation Districts apply for the competitive grants on behalf of farmers and coordinate funded conservation projects. For more information on the program, visit www.nys-soilandwater.org/aem/nonpoint.html.