Watershed Agricultural Council 25 Years of Improving Water Quality & Economic Viability in NYC s Watershed

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1 Watershed Agricultural Council 25 Years of Improving Water Quality & Economic Viability in NYC s Watershed Larry Hulle, March 28, 2019

2 Our Mission To promote the economic viability of agriculture and forestry, the protection of water quality, and the conservation of working landscapes through strong local leadership and sustainable publicprivate partnerships.

3 NYC Watershed Map Overview Primarily 19 reservoirs surface + 3 controlled water lakes 550 billion gallon total storage New York State contains 70,000 capacity miles (112, 654 km) of rivers and Serves 9 million streams consumers = 1/2 New York State population Delivers 1+ billion gallons per day Source of water is 1,969 sq. mi. watershed (1.2 million acres) that covers parts of 8 NY counties plus a small portion of Fairfield, CT Water travels up to 125 miles before reaching NYC faucets The NYC Watershed is located in southeastern 3 New York and spans both sides of the Hudson River.

4 Water Supply Overview Primarily surface water 19 reservoirs + 3 controlled lakes 550-billion gallon (208,198 megaliter) storage capacity Serves 9 million consumers = 1/2 New York State population Delivers 1+ billion gallons (3,785 megaliter) per day Source of water is 1,969 sq. mi. (3169 km) Watershed that covers parts of 8 NY counties plus a small portion of Fairfield, CT Water travels up to 125 miles (201 km) primarily by gravity before reaching NYC faucets

5 History of the Watershed Agricultural Council Conflict 1990 A discussion draft of watershed regulations is presented to upstate watershed communities including language that affects agriculture and puts the livelihood of farmers at risk. Collaboration 1991 An Ad Hoc Task Force on Agriculture and New York City Watershed Regulations convenes representing upstate and downstate interests.a collaborative plan of policy recommendations called The Brown Book is created to protect water and do no harm to farm operations in the watershed. Well-managed farms are a preferred land use for water quality over denser, residential septic subdivision. Partners 1992 Phase I of the WatershedAgricultural Program begins with Whole Farm Planning on ten pilot farms dispersed geographically throughout the Catskill/Delaware watersheds.

6 History of the Watershed Agricultural Council Incorporation 1993 Partners decide to create the non-profit WatershedAgricultural Council (WAC) to administer the voluntary, incentive-based WatershedAgricultural Program, fully funded by New York City s Department of Environmental Protection. A Council of Directors oversees the Council programs, which are administered by Office and Field Staff. An Advisory Committee guides the Council. Implementation 1994 Phase II of the WatershedAgricultural Program begins with the development of whole farm plans for watershed farms based primarily on nation-wide USDA standards.a goal of 85% participation by farmers becomes a milestone in the EPA s Filtration Avoidance Determination (F.A.D.) waiver for New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Participation today is 90%. Sound Science 1996 Research efforts test and validate best management practices and study the source, fate and transport of pathogens and phosphorus.

7 Distrust of New York City

8 Since inception WAC has strived to remain: Voluntary Fully Funded Farmer Led Promote Farmer Economic Viability Why Our Program Works

9 Voluntary Participation- Why it works Giving Farmers a Voice on the Council: Give them the power to make a difference Pay them a stipend Value their opinions

10 Programs Agriculture Forestry Conservation Easements Economic Viability

11 Agricultural Program

12 Agriculture Program is voluntary and fully funded 263Active Farms (Catskill/Delaware) Over $55 million (US Dollars) of implemented Best Management Practices in region Participant Farms cover over 160,000 acres (647.5 km2) Farm participation is 90% Program partners with many local agencies

13 Agricultural Program Whole Farm Planning Whole Farm Planning is a holistic approach to farm management used to identify and prioritize environmental issues on a farm without compromising the farm business. Potential risks to the water supply are identified and addressed through careful structural planning to reduce or avoid the transport of agricultural runoff into farm streams. This is important because this water eventually flows into New York City s water supply reservoirs.

14 How it Works 1. Farmer contacts program (voluntary sign up). 2. Planner visits farm and assesses resource concerns, discusses goals with farmer. 3. Plan of action is developed with Conservation Planners, Engineers and Technical Staff. The plan is presented to the farmer for approval. 4. Agreed upon plan is presented to the Agriculture Committee if necessary for approval. 5. Project is ranked by resource concerns present and included in upcoming workload plan. 6. Procurement procedures must be followed when placing work out for contractor bids.

15 Riparian Buffers/Exclusion Fencing Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Plant buffers are planted along streambanks to help stabilize the banks and positively impact overall stream health. These buffers also serve as a additional filter as plants help filter pathogens from the water before it gets to the stream. Fencing is also provided to keep animals out of watercourses. Alternative watering options are then implemented on farms. This program is cost shared by the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency.

16 Manure Management- Covered Feeding Areas Before- Manure and mud run directly from barnyards into streams. After- Manure is collected in a covered feeding area protecting it from rain, causing potential runoff into streams. The manure is later collected by the farmer and spread on fields according to their Nutrient Management Plan.

17 Manure Management- Covered Feeding Areas Before- Manure and mud run directly from barnyards into streams. After- Manure is collected in the center of this two wing covered feeding area protecting it from rain. The manure is later collected by the farmer and spread on fields according to their Nutrient Management Plan.

18 Manure Management- Manure Storage Manure Storages are often constructed on dairy farms for long (6 months +) or short term storage. Farmers then spread on designated fields as prescribed by their custom Nutrient Management Plan, based on soil samples from their surrounding fields.

19 Pathogen Management-Calf Housing Calves are kept clean and dry increasing calf health and herd size. Pathogens spread by calves are contained/collected and disposed of correctly, rather than running into nearby streams spreading disease (largely giardia and cryptosporidium).

20 Nutrient Management Planning Soil samples are taken from fields to determine nutrient needs and to develop a management plan for optimal crop production with minimal runoff. Maps and plans are developed for each farms particular needs including: On-Farm Waste Management Field Hydrology Parasite Management Managing Soil Health for Pasture and Cropland Soil ph and Liming/Using fertilizers Paddock Management/ Rotational Grazing Crop/Pasture Renovation Composting Manure Fuel/Pesticide Storage Erosion Abatement

21 Nutrient Management Credit Program Staff creates Nutrient Management Plan that includes maps, soil test results, flow paths of fields and P levels Farmer follows plan and keeps records Records are submitted annually Committee of farmers and staff review records annually Payments per acre are used as reimbursements for expenses related to manure handling (can be saved for large purchase), payments can be used for custom spreading Program rewards farmers for responsible stewardship behavior Increased crop production is another benefit for the farmer

22 Precision Feed Management Engages farmers in a recurring process of planning, implementation and monitoring of the largest source of nutrients on the farm feed nutrients. PFM provides farmers with regular staff support in a host of areas of feed and animal management including dietary formulation and delivery, animal health and reproductive management as well as homegrown crop production. The program strives to: Help farmers implement more tightly formulated diets that avoid overfeeding of nutrients and maximize use of homegrown nutrients Help them maintain healthy, comfortable and productive animals that convert feed nutrients into milk and meat more efficiently Increase exports of nutrients off the farm in milk and animal sales Help farmers produce a larger quantity of higher digestible homegrown feed nutrients, which sets the stage for importing fewer purchased feed nutrients and increasing milk production and milk nutrient exports

23 Precision Feed Management A science based approach to pathogen management that looks at nutrients going into the cow, and how that affects phosphorus levels coming out of the animal.

24 Farmer Education In 2018, The Watershed Agricultural Program Farmer Education efforts reached 719 farmers and farm advisors with 21 education events through our contract with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County. These events include large conferences, like the Catskill Regional Agriculture Conference, small hands-on on-farm training, farm tours and traditional classroom workshops. The program uses the strength of our experienced staff to leverage local and statewide resources to address the critical needs of the region s farmers and their advisors. Example Topics: Pesticide Application, Meat Goat Workshop, Winter Crop School, Beef Cattle Feeding Options, Farm Succession Planning, Cow/Calf Workshops, Pasture Walks, Meat Plant Tours, Managing Sheep Pastures, Corn Dry Down Days, Cheese Making Demos, Field Demonstrations, Organic Dairy, Ruminant Parasite Control

25 East of Hudson Croton Watershed: currently a filtered water source Same agriculture and forestry programs but with different cost-share/financial assistance 78 whole farm plans totaling 8,665 acres (35.07 km2) 600+ BMPs completed, $5 million+ (US Dollars) $600,000+ (US Dollars) landowners cost shares 1,554 acres (6.29 km2) under nutrient management

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27 Forestry Forest owners enrolled 53,000 acres ( km2) in New York s current tax law (480a) Managed Forest Land Stabilized 965 miles of logging trails with BMPs on 620 harvests Launched MyWoodlot.com in 2015 Trained Logger Certified Program Urban/Rural Education Initiative

28 Forestry Financial & Technical Assistance for Landowners Forest Management Planning Program BMP Implementation Program Management Assistance Program Training & Resources 3,400 Loggers & Forestry professionals 400 Teachers Educational Bus/Watershed Tours 9,000 Forest Landowners 17,000 Students Groups

29 Planning 480a-Enrollment Incentive- a cost-share payment for owners of at least 50 wooded acres (0.2 km2) who want to enroll in NY s Forest Tax Law Program. MyWoodlot- a self-directed, online educational tool for owners of any amount of woodland.

30 Implementation Best Management Practice Program- The BMP Program provides money, materials and technical support to help loggers plan and apply water quality Best Management Practices in the NYC Watershed. Management Assistance Program - The Management Assistance Program (MAP) is an incentive program providing financial assistance and technical support to landowners who wish to conduct certain stewardship activities. Encouraged the implementation of 5,300 acres (21.45 km2) of forest stewardship projects. Trees for Tribs- Croton Trees for Tribs offers free trees and shrubs for planting along streams to eligible landowners in the Croton Watershed.

31 Trained Logger Certification Urban/Rural School Based Education Teachers Institute Bus Tours Education & Training

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33 Considering a CE? Landowners in the New York City Watershed may pursue a WAC conservation easement for several reasons, including but not limited to: To preserve farmland or forestland for future generations. To protect the environment and water quality. To assist in transferring a working farm from one generation to another. To expand the farm or purchase additional equipment. To support multi-family farm incomes. To preserve the community s rural character. To pay down debt. WAC s Conservation Easements are designed as a working lands easement to facilitate continued intensive commercial activities such as: agriculture, timber harvests, and blue stone quarrying so long as those activities have a conservation plan approved by WAC.

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35 What Makes WAC s CE Unique? WAC s CE Conservation Purposes: to protect the water quality of the New York City watersheds, and to protect agricultural and forestry lands by limiting the form, location, and density of development and promoting good stewardship through the implementation of Whole Farm Plans. Protects Water Resources & Drinking Water Supply for ~9 Million People Linked to a Whole Farm Plan (WFP) & Forest Management Plan (FMP) That ENCOURAGES working Landscapes! 100% (PDR) Fair Market Value CEs

36 Notable Achievements 30,000+ Acres Committed to Agricultural Easement 200+ Approved Reserved Rights 110+ Miles of Streams Protected 6M Pilot Forest Easement Launched in 2016 Additional $11M (Ag.) and $8M+ (Forest) for CE

37 Stewardship = Perpetual Obligation WAC s Stewardship Endowment 20 Year DEP Funded Contract (2016) Equal Annual Payments $607,000.00, + Principle + Accrued Interest + Charitable Contributions = ~ ~ $43,000,000 Also, concurrently 20 Year Stewardship Operating Contract

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39 Economic Viability Building strong local communities centered around working landscapes Keeps forest and agricultural industries viable, in support of our mission that the best land use for a watershed is agriculture and forestry vs. development Became a key program of WAC s in 1996

40 Economic Viability Program Initiatives Pure Catskills 16th year, formed in members in ,000 copies of the Pure Catskills Guides distributed Events attended year round, 10+ annually Local initiatives supported Micro Grants and Business Planning support Nearly $100,000 approved in grant funding between

41 What is Pure Catskills? Pure Catskills is a regional, buy local campaign developed by the Watershed Agricultural Council to improve the economic viability of the local community, sustain the working landscapes of the Catskills and preserve water quality in the NYC watershed region. Pure Catskills works to promote hundreds of farm, forest and local businesses throughout Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster Counties in New York State.

42 What does Pure Catskills do? Generates Sales for Businesses in the Catskills by opening doors to customers: local and metropolitan, retail and wholesale Promotes Individual Catskill Businesses through widely distributed print ads, popular websites, social media and events at low- or no-cost Provides a Recognizable Brand for high quality, hand-crafted products, which affiliated businesses may adopt Educates consumers on the benefits of buying locally, and offers Catskills businesses educational resources on business planning, marketing and profitability The combination of all of these efforts improves the economic viability of communities in the watershed.

43 Why Buy Pure Catskills?

44 WAC Accomplishments 26 years of advocating for farm and forest land and businesses 500+ pollution prevention plans developed for large and small farms covering 160,000 acres (647.5 km2) More than 7,700 agricultural best management practices (BMPs) implemented at a direct cost of about $58 million (US Dollars) Protected 2,500+ acres (10.12 km2) of riparian buffers (CREP) and excluded about 12,000 livestock from streams 30,000+ acres ( km2) in WAC conservation easements as of December 31, 2018 on 180+ family farms Continued its successful Buy Local Branding Campaign for ~300 watershed farm and forestry businesses in 2019

45 Future Challenges & Opportunities Dairy Farmers are struggling Our regional beef production is increasing with a premium grass finished market WAC will continue to support agriculture in the region as it changes to fulfill market demands Easements ensure farmland is protected forever Land is still relatively inexpensive, but there is a large influx of NYC residents buying land as vacation properties Markets are in abundance, but competition to be included can be high, the product quality from the region is superb Sustainability is a constant challenge for farmers and for WAC

46 Thank you! Questions? Larry Hulle, Agricultural Program Manager Visit us online: nycwatershed.org Facebook (Watershed Agricultural Council) Twitter &