Apply Now for Help With Water Quality Programs

From state Assemblyman William Magee

Assemblyman Bill Magee (D-Nelson) announced that livestock farms can now apply for state grants to help fund water quality projects that help comply with new environmental regulations. 

A total of $50 million is available through the Clean Water Infrastructure Act, which was included in this year’s state budget. As chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, Magee advocates for New York’s farmers and is dedicated to conserving our region’s soils and water resources.

“The agriculture industry is important to our region’s economy,” Magee said. “This funding ensures that farmers across New York can comply with new regulations designed to ensure our water remains clean. These water quality projects will keep our water safe for future generations.”

There are more than 500 farms in New York state with more than 200 livestock, most of which are dairy farms with more than 300 cows. This money will help livestock farms better store nutrients, such as manure, until there is ideal weather for application. 

Previously, farmers with insufficient storage would have to apply manure during rain or snowmelt, which meant that nutrients could run off and contaminate water supplies rather than be absorbed into fields and help crops grow.

This money is especially important this year. Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) have been confirmed at Craine Lake in Earlville and suspected in the DeRuyter Reservoir.

HABs are caused by several nutrient sources and environmental factors and have the potential to cause illness in people and pets, as well as impact fisheries and recreational opportunities on local waterbodies.

“I encourage livestock farmers to apply for this helpful funding,” Magee said. “This is one of many programs out there that could be an important boost to them. I’ll keep fighting to cut red tape, invest in innovative agriculture programs and spur economic growth.”

The first of three application periods is open now and will close Nov. 20. Awards for the first $20 million will be made by mid-December. 

An additional $15 million will be made available in both 2018 and 2019. County soil and water conservation districts can apply for the CAFO Waste Storage and Transfer System Program on behalf of eligible farmers. The maximum award amount per proposal is $385,000, which includes funding for engineering and construction expenses. 

The application link can be found right here agriculture.ny.gov/RFPS.html

2 Permits Renewed for CAFO Water Pollution Programs

From Empire Farm & Dairy magazine

From Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office
 
Two general permits have been renewed for technical programs designed to reduce the potential for water pollution on large livestock farms.
 
State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos announced Jan. 25 the renewal of the permits that were developed with input from the agricultural and environmental communities. 

The permits provide new requirements for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) to ensure proper management of nutrients while increasing water quality protection.
 
“DEC has been working with stakeholders for more than two decades to balance environmental, agricultural and civic interests in order to protect the environment while developing workable protections for New York’s farmers,” said Seggos. “The permits are an important measure to safeguard public health and the environment.”
 
These new permits provide farmers with a better understanding of permit terms and conditions to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. 

In addition, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s recently announced proposal for the $2 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017 will invest resources for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and other water quality protection across the state, including funds for ensuring proper management and storage of nutrients such as manure on farms.
 
“The governor’s historic clean water initiative will be an important contribution of resources to our permitted livestock farms as they strive to maintain nutrient recycling year round,” said Richard Ball, commissioner of the state Dpartment of Agriculture and Markets. “This proposed new source of funding also builds on the governor’s plan for a robust $300 million Environmental Protection Fund, which is critical to the growth and development of the state’s agricultural industry and to ensuring the quality and sustainability of our natural resources for years to come.”
 
DEC developed the initial renewal drafts after nearly two years of outreach and communication with stakeholders. The draft permits were made available for public comment Dec. 23, 2015 through Feb. 7, 2016. Throughout this process, DEC held numerous meetings with stakeholders to hear their concerns. DEC also received hundreds of written comments.
 
Since 1995, DEC has worked with the CAFO Workgroup, an active technical working group including the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, the state Soil and Water Conservation Committee, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Cornell University experts, farmers, civic groups and environmental groups to develop and implement a robust CAFO program.
 
“New York Farm Bureau was a major collaborator in a workgroup with our agricultural and environmental partners from the very beginning of the new CAFO permit process. We appreciate the time and effort that DEC staff took in preparing the permits,” said New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher.
 
“They worked to balance the need of protecting our important natural resources with having permits that are workable for the state’s livestock farmers,” Fisher said. “New York Farm Bureau is committed to educating our members about what is in the permits and helping them address any challenges they may have in meeting the new regulations.”
 
“This new CAFO permit strikes the right balance in providing New York’s farmers with clear direction on how to farm cleaner and greener, while ensuring they remain competitive in the global market,” said William Cooke, government relations director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment. 

“We look forward to continuing to work with the state and the farming community to ensure they have the resources necessary for swift and full implementation of this permit,” he said.
 
New York state has more than 500 CAFO farms, the majority of which are dairy farms with 300 or more cows and associated livestock operations. A CAFO is a farm that meets certain animal size thresholds and confines animals for 45 days or more in any 12-month period in an area that does not produce vegetation.
 
The first CAFO permit was issued in 1999. CAFO permits must be renewed every five years to meet state and federal requirements, as well as to respond to concerns from stakeholders.
 
To learn more about CAFOs and the renewed permits visit DEC’s website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6285.html

March 31 is the Deadline to Apply for Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program Grants

From GOV. ANDREW CUOMO’S OFFICE
 
A total of $14 million in grants was announced Jan. 27 to address qater quality challenges on farms in critical watersheds.
 
The grants, funded through the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program, are available to protect soil and water resources on farms across New York state. New York has dedicated $79 million to the program since 2011.
 
The Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program is funded in the 2016-17 budget through the state Environmental Protection Fund, which the governor proposes to continue in this year’s budget at $300 million – the highest level in the program’s history.
 
The program complements the proposed $2 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017, which would provide additional funding for source water quality protection initiatives, including projects to ensure proper management and storage of manure on farms across the state.
 
“Our farmers do all they can to be good stewards of their land and remain committed to the environment,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball. “This funding will help prevent water pollution, reduce erosion and limit harmful sediments and other nutrients in New York’s waterways, while supporting the growth of the agricultural community.”
 
County Soil and Water Conservation Districts can apply for Round 23 of the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control grant program on behalf of farmers through the state Department of Agriculture and Markets website at http://www.agriculture.ny.gov/RFPS.html this link.
 
Grants will be awarded to the districts to help farms with environmental planning; including the implementation of management systems, planting vegetation along streams to intercept runoff, and planting cover crops after the annual harvest to protect the soil.
 
To apply, all appropriate materials must be submitted through the state Soil and Water Conservation Committee SharePoint website by March 31.
 
For additional details about this program and other natural resource protection programs, contact the local County Soil and Water Conservation District.

What is Going To Happen Now With Farming?

An Editorial from Lancaster Farming.

Check it out http://www.lancasterfarming.com/news/editorials/what-now-for-farming/article_88ddbaee-4edc-5bab-9280-5959ced290a4.html at this link.

Town of Mexico, NY Awarded Money for Water Project

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is warding loans and grants for 141 projects to build and improve water and wastewater infrastructure in rural communities across the nation.

"Many rural communities need to upgrade and repair their water and wastewater systems, but often lack the resources to do so," said Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack. "These loans and grants will help accomplish this goal. USDA's support for infrastructure improvements is an essential part of building strong rural economies."

The only award for New York state was in the town of Mexico, Oswego County. The loan amount is $1.485 million and the grant amount is $462,000 for the town's Water Service Area #3. The money comes from the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program.

USDA is awarding $299 million for 88 projects in the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program and $15 million for 53 grants in the Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant program.


Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant program money  enables water systems that serve eligible rural communities to prepare for, or recover from, imminent or actual emergencies that threaten the availability of safe drinking water. 

Water and Waste program recipients can use funds to construct water and waste facilities in rural communities.

Farm Bureau, Counties, Towns Oppose Changes to Clean Water Act

From New York Farm Bureau:

In a strong show of support for farmers in this state and their own taxpayers, 35 counties and 17 towns in New York have passed strongly worded resolutions asking the Environmental Protection Agency to withdrawal its proposal to expand the definition of Waters of the United States under the Clean Water Act (CWA).

New York Farm Bureau has challenged the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers on its proposed rule changes that we believe is an overreach of the CWA.  

The confusing and vague language in the new definition opens up the potential for dry land and ditches to now be considered federally controlled waters. The bureaucratic nightmare and costly permitting process that this would create would not only impact agriculture across this state but also local taxpayers and homeowners who would be subject to additional federal regulations, permits and expensive fines.
 
In response, the large number of county and town resolutions opposing this effort has been forwarded to the EPA, which is accepting comments on the matter through Oct. 20. 

New York Farm Bureau has also released a new video highlighting the real concerns farmers have about the EPA’s potential land grab.  You may view the video here: http://youtu.be/s85XUF1QEvw