These are the programs we offer:
Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM)
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The District is very active in New York State's Agricultural Environmental Management
(AEM) initiative. AEM is a way to integrate evnvironmental protection and improvement with the needs of farmers and
communities, while coordinating technical and financial assistance. The goal of AEM is to help farmers protect the
environment, while maintaining the health and vitality of their farm operations. AEM is a voluntary five-step process
beginning with Tier 1, a one-page inventory of farm information such as number of cows milked and farm acreage. Tier
2 consists of a set of worksheets that documents the details of the farm operation and identifies resource concerns.
Plans are made to address these concerns in Tier 3. Tier 4 is the implementation of the plan and Tier 5 is an
evaluation and follow-up. AEM can be of help to farmers who are looking to comply with Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) regulations that recently went into effect. Also, AEM is a way to increase the opportunity for funding of agricultural improvement projects such as manure management, barnyards, and streambank erosion. Currently, the District is working with USDA NRCS to develop and implement AEM plans for farms in watersheds across the county. |
Ag Non-Point Source Control
The New York State Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program (ANSCAP) seeks to prevent pollution of New
York's waters from agricultural nonpoint sources--resulting in cleaner rivers, lakes and streams for all New Yorkers. The
program provides cost-share funding to correct and prevent water pollution from farms and farming activities. Funds are also
available for Agricultural Environmental Management planning activities to identify farms and watersheds where improvements
are needed. The program is a competitive grant program, with funds applied for and awarded through county Soil and Water
Conservation Districts. State funds come from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund and the Clean Water/Clean Air
Bond Act. Projects selected for funding under this program must clearly address a significant water quality need or
opportunity; propose a cost-effective solution to the problem identified; and have significant local and landowner support,
including significant financial support. Most projects selected for funding are located within a watershed or sub-watershed
of a "priority waterbody," as defined by NYSDEC; and can be completed within one year of contract execution.
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Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Farm Plannning |
Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning (CNMP's)
The Oneida County SWCD has been providing Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning (CNMP) services to area farmers for
several years. Many farmers have taken advantage of this service and it continues to be a major part of the District
workload. District personnel have received in-depth training on this subject and have access to all the latest CAFO and
CNMP regulations. The District has aggressively sought cost-share funds from all available sources to help cover the
expense of farmers' plans.
Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMP's)
A Best Management Practice (BMP) is defined as a method, measure or practice determined to be the most practical and
effective in preventing or reducing the impact of pollutants generated by nonpoint sources. BMP's include structural and
non-structural controls, and operation and maintenance procedures. For example, some commonly implemented BMP's include
diversion ditches, grassed waterways, fencing, roof water management, and strip-cropping.
An example of a BMP: heavy use area protection. An Oneida County barnyard, before and after.
Access to NRCS Conservation Programs:
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP):
USDA and the State of New York have launched a $62 million Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) agreement to
improve water conditions on 30 million acres within New York's 12 major watersheds. These watersheds serve 55% of the
state's population. CREP is a federal-state natural resource conservation program targeted to address state and nationally
significant agricultural related environmental concerns. Under CREP, program participants receive financial incentives
from USDA to voluntarily enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in contracts of 10- to 15- years. Participants
remove marginal pastureland or cropland from agricultural production and convert the land to native grasses, trees, and
other vegetation. CRP is authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985, as ammended. The New York CREP will help farmers
address erosion and nutrient runoff on 30 million acres of land within New York's 12 major watersheds. Retiring highly
erodible cropland and planting it to protective vegetation will enhance water quality and provide shelter, nesting areas and
food for many species of wildlife. Buffers planted along streambanks and rivers will filter phosphorus, nitrogen, and
sedimentation from the waterways.
The Oneida County SWCD along with NRCS and FSA are working together to implement New York State’s CREP program in Oneida County.
The goal of CREP is to encourage farmers in their efforts to reduce the amount of nutrients and sediments entering priority waterbodies and
public well-head areas. CREP aims to reduce pollution in waterbodies by helping agricultural landowners plant trees, shrubs, and grasses on
streambanks to trap sediment, pesticides, and fertilizers in runoff. Enrolled land is buffered and given annual rental payments based on the
acreage. Conservation practices done within and around the buffer ex: fence, seeding, tree planting, stream crossings and well development
are cost-shared at 50% up front. When all practices are completed participants receive another 40% of the practice cost share. CREP contracts
can be between 10 and 15 years, during which the buffers must be maintained by the contracted individual.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of
2002 (Farm Bill) to provide a voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes agricultural
production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist
eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land. EQIP offers
contracts with a minimum term that ends one year after the implementation of the last scheduled practices and a maximum
term of ten years. These contracts provide incentive payments and cost-shares to implement conservation practices. Persons
who are engaged in livestock or agricultural production on eligible land may participate in the EQIP program. EQIP
activities are carried out according to an environmental quality incentives program plan of operations developed in
conjunction with the producer that identifies the appropriate conservation practice or practices to address the resource
concerns. The practices are subject to NRCS technical standards adapted for local conditions. The local conservation
district approves the plan. EQIP may cost-share up to 75 percent of the costs of certain conservation practices. Incentive
payments may be provided for up to three years to encourage producers to carry out management practices they may not
otherwise use without the incentive. However, limited resource producers and beginning farmers and ranchers may be
eligible for cost-shares up to 90 percent. Farmers and ranchers may elect to use a certified third-party provider for
technical assistance. An individual or entity may not receive, directly or indirectly, cost-share or incentive payments
that, in the aggregate, exceed $450,000 for all EQIP contracts entered during the term of the Farm Bill.
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP):
The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program for residents who want to develop and improve wildlife
habitat primarily on private lands. The purpose of the program is to develop habitat for upland wildlife, wetland wildlife,
threatened and endangered species,
fish and other types of wildlife. Objectives of the program are to provide technical, educational, and financial assistance
to eligible landowners to address the protection of wetlands, wildlife habitat, and related concerns on their land.
It has been documented that New York has lost thousands of acres of this habitat in the last 15 to 20 years alone. Oneida
County residents who own or control land, and agree to prepare and implement
a wildlife habitat plan will be offered technical and financial assistance to establish wildlife habitat practices. WHIP
contract agreements are from 5 to 10 years and the total cost share amount cannot exceed $10,000 per agreement.
Conservation practices that can be cost shared up to 75% of the cost of establishment include: wildlife upland habitat
management, wildlife wetland habitat management, wildlife watering facility, buffer strips, hedgerow planting, fish stream
improvement, pasture and hayland planting, tree and/or shrub establishment, wetland development or restoration, fencing, and
riparian buffers.
Wetland Reserve Program (WRP):
The purpose of the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is to preserve, protect, and restore the nation's valuable wetlands.
Wetland protection will improve wildlife and migratory bird habitat, improve water quality, and provide flood water
retention, ground water recharge, open space, and aesthetic values. WRP is a voluntary program that offers three options
to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands: permanent easements, 30-year easements, or 10-year restoration cost-share
easements. The permanent easement offers the landowner payment of up to the agricultural value of the land, and 100 percent
of the restoration cost. The 30-year easement offers 75 percent of the agricultural value and 75 percent of the
restoration cost. The restoration cost-share agreements are for a minimum 10- year duration and provide for 75 percent of
the cost for restoring the involved wetlands. In all cases, the landowner retains ownership and responsibility for the land,
including any property taxes. The landowner still controls access to the land, and can enjoy recreational use of the area.
Land enrolled in the WRP can still be sold or leased.
Community Environmental Management (CEM)
Community Environmental Management is a toolbox of educational assessment, technical assistance and planning tools designed
to assist local communities. The program is designed to address environmental concerns including nonpoint source pollution,
natural resource degradation and drinking water supply protection in local communities. CEM is carried out in a phased
approach similar to its agricultural counterpart AEM (Agricultural Environmental Management). Phase 1 includes a survey of
the community’s environmental concerns. Phase II includes the completion of Environmental Assessment Worksheets.
Environmental Assessment worksheets include the following topics:
Stormwater Management
Stormwater runoff is created when water from heavy rain storms or snow melt flows over the surface of the land rather than
percolating into the soil. High volumes of stormwater runoff create flooding hazards and water quality impairments. The
effects of stormwater runoff are most pronounced at two sources: construction sites, and storm sewer system outfalls. The
Environmental Protection Agency has issued new regulations designed to control runoff from these two sources.
Construction Sites: Phase II Stormwater Regulations require construction site operators to develop Stormwater
Pollution Prevention Plans or Erosion and Sediment Control Plans for disturbances of greater than or equal to 1 acre. The
new construction permit (GP 0201) affects construction site operators throughout New York State. Further restrictions
within MS4 areas may also be in effect. For more information, contact the Region 6 office of the DEC at 793-2554 or contact
the Soil and Water Conservation District at 736-3334. Questions can be emailed to
JoAnne Faulkner.
MS4s: Phase II Stormwater Regulations require Muncipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in small cities to develop
Stormwater Management Plans. The SWMPs require completion of 6 minimum measures including:
Subdivision Reviews
SWCD staff reviews the erosion and sediment control aspects of subdivision plans for municipalities. This program is likely
to expand due to the new Phase II stormwater regulations.
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Tree and Shrub Seedling Sale The District sponsors an annual sale of tree seedlings, shrubs, conservation plants, and related materials to both raise funds and prevent soil erosion. Items are offered at affordable prices and in a wide range of sizes and quantities. The 2009 order form will be available in mid-February of 2009, in the Pennysaver. Call us at 315-736-3334 to have an order form mailed to you. Or, you can fill out the order form online and print it out. The 2009 order form will be available online in February 2009. |
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Oneida County Envirothon The Oneida County Envirothon idea is simple: combine the proven concepts of hands-on education with the excitement of a good competition and the fun of spending a day in the outdoors. The result is an effective educational tool which will help our state's schools to nurture environmentally aware students. The Envirothon is a series of hands-on contests in which teams of high school students compete to solve environmental issues. The event works much like an athletic competition, and the winners of the event get the chance to compete at the New York State Envirothon. The winner of the state competition will represent New York State at the International Canon Envirothon. New York State teams have placed in the top ten teams at the national competition since the first NYS Envirothon in 1991. |
Dry Hydrant Program
Rural fire hydrant systems, otherwise known as dry hydrants, are non-pressurized fire hydrants that can be installed in
ponds, lakes, streams, and underground tanks. Rural fire companies primarily use dry hydrants. In many rural areas,
a lack of water mains and domestic fire hydrants can sometimes impair a fire company's ability to respond quickly and
efficiently to emergencies. The response time of a fire emergency operation depends on the distance a fire truck must
travel to water fill-up points. Unfortunately, in many cases these fill-up points are a great distance from the fire
and fire fighters are unable to retain an uninterrupted supply of water at the scene. The installation of a non-pressurized
pipe system into water sources provides a ready means of supplying water to tank trucks. The dry hydrant system gives trucks
access to the ponds and streams from the main road thereby decreasing the length of time it would take tankers to fill up.
In 1999 the Oneida County SWCD participated in the Black River-St. Lawrence RC&D dry hydrant project. With the aid of
this project the Oneida County SWCD installed 12 dry hydrants.
2005 Progressive Farmer Farm Home Safety Day Camp
The 7th Annual Farm Safety Day Camp was held on 7 June 2007 at the Booneville Fairgrounds. Safety Day Camp is an
event for 5th grade students from local schools. It features a hands-on learning approach to safety education and accident
prevention. Modules that are presented include electric, fire, and lawnmower safety demonstrations. The goal of the
program is to prevent farm and home injuries and death by teaching children about safety related hazards and how to
prevent them.
Water Quality Monitoring
SWCD staff are trained to monitor the quality and volume of surface water. We have participated in a one-year monitoring
project on the Sconondoa Creek. In addition, we also participated in the
Oneida Lake Watershed Tributary Monitoring Program.
Hazard Mitigation Plan
The Oneida County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Oneida County Department of Emergency Services are cooperating on an important disaster
preparedness plan for Oneida County and its 48 municipalities. The attached plan is in draft format. Comments are welcome and should be addressed to
Jo-Anne Faulkner at Joanne-faulkner@oneidaswcd.org. Thank you.
You can view the draft plan by clicking on the links below: