SYRACUSE, NY, April 16, 2009 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $84.8 million is available to the Watershed Operations Program nationwide. Funding is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), as part of the Obama Administration’s plans to modernize the nation’s infrastructure, jumpstart the economy and create jobs.
“President Obama is committed to improving water quality, creating more dependable water supplies and decreasing soil erosion and this funding will make a big difference in the lives of the people who live in these rural communities,” Vilsack said.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will deliver this assistance through the New York City Agricultural Watershed Program to agricultural lands. This program’s goal is to reduce water pollution from agricultural runoff and protect drinking water quality for the
nine million residences of New York City. This program is located in the southeastern corner of the State of New York and is comprised of the Delaware, Catskill, and Croton watersheds. The watershed covers an area of 1.2 million acres and contains 19 water supply reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes.
"This project is great news for the New York Watershed and the communities it serves," Senator Gillibrand said. "Through this effort, we'll update critical infrastructure, create jobs and rebuild our economy, while improving water quality and restoring the environment. I'm pleased President Obama has made this a priority for New York, and I will continue working with Senator Schumer and the entire New York Delegation to make sure New York gets its fair share from the federal government."
“Through the New York City Watershed Agricultural Program, ARRA funding will support an estimated 255 jobs,” said Astor F. Boozer, New York State Conservationist. “The New York City Watershed Agricultural Program involves implementing best management practices (BMP’s) on over 85 agricultural construction projects to be installed in 2009 and 2010. The program funds will be used in the development of whole farm plans and the design and installation of conservation practices with an emphasis on waterborne pathogens, nutrients, and sediments.”
The federal assistance to the New York City Agricultural Watershed Program is authorized under the authority of The Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 590 a-f).
For more information on New York City Agricultural Watershed Program,
you may email New York's State Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations
Leon Brooks,
or call (607) 865-7090.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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