The Board of Directors of the Allegany County Soil and Water Conservation District adopted a Plan of Operations for 2007 which identified 7 Objective areas of
activity. The following report parallels the Plan format in reporting the activities for 2007.
CONSERVATION PLANNING:
A) The District collaborated with the Office of Emergency Services and Department of Public Works on review of the County Pre Disaster Hazard Mitigation
Plan and assisted communities with technical advise regarding access to the Hazard Mitigation grant dollars through FEMA. The District re-filed and received
approval for funding of the two Hazard Mitigation sites on the Genesee Rive in Amity and Belfast. The protection of Route 19 at these two sites will involve 2.3
million dollars in 75% FEMA funding and .765 million, 25% local share.
B) The District supported NRCS in the processing of 19 EQIP, 5 WRP, 7 WHIP and 1 CRP applications which allow farms and private landowners access to
USDA programs for solving environmental problems and enhancing the environment.
C) The feasibility study of a Community Anaerobic Digester was completed and an Agricultural Summit was convened, after which 15 local farms expressed
interest in further consideration as participants in future development of the idea. The District worked closely with the Office of Development on development of
sites where green energy based business could locate.
D) Geographic Information System services and assistance with addressing environmental concerns was provided the County and consulting engineers in the
development of the infrastructure for the Crossroads area. There was full participation on the Development Advisory Board and the Allegany County
Comprehensive Planning Committee.
E) 103 Soil Group Worksheets involving 72 landowners and 7,468 acres were prepared for landowners seeking agricultural exemption.
F) The Hanover Creek outlet was repaired and negotiations continue for easements to construct the upland detetion basin.
G) The demonstration of an enchanced building permit review process was introduced to two towns. However, the pilot process has not been implemented.
H) Year 3 of the AEM Strategy was successfully completed with 9 Tier I, 8 Tier II assessments, 7 Tier IIIa plans and 14 Tier 5b CAFO reviews performed.
J) The Genesee Valley Outdoor Education Center was assisted in the continuing planning and development of the trail system, wetland development, educational
stations and public presentations.
K) The District signed a memorandum of Cooperation with the Upper Susquehanna Coalition and assisted with gathering data about local farms in the watershed.
WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
A) The Water Resources Council did not meet in 2007.
B) The Round IX Environmental Protection Fund project for agricultural pollution prevention in the Rushford Lake Watershed was completed and work continued
on two CAFO farms in Round X in the Rush Creek Watershed and work began on Round XIII involving 7 CAFO farms throughout the County.
C) NRCS was assisted with the implementation of cost shared projects on 7 farms and 9 Nutrient Management planning projects were begun. Construction
inspection assistance was provided to three Wetland Reserve sites.
D) Finger Lakes-Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance funding was utilized in support of the FEMA Hazard Mitigation funding applications, AEM
planning process, and 4 farms received over $20,000 in cost sharing on water quality related projects.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
A) The District organized a sale of forest products on behalf of the County on three reforestation areas. The sales were $5,000 in softwoods on the Pine Lot, 8.5
thousand board feet on the Dixon Lot for $2,125, and 109.3 thousand board feet for $40,631 on the Helmer Lot. Forty standard cords of hardwood tops were
sold for fuelwood for $400. The $48,156 total sale of forest products exceeded the $45,000 projected revenues for 2007 by $3,156. Revenues to the Parks and
Reforestation department have tradionally been considered in support of the Town pilot taxes paid on the 2000 acres and to subsidize the summer help mowing
maintenance crew and expense of the Seneca Oil Spring Park and Rushford Swim area. The District organized the Agriclutural Districting window of entry in
October and three parcels were entered into District #4.
B) Two SUNY Alfred farm students were mentored in the AEM process and classes for Houghton examined and assisted with eradication of invasive species
and planting of trees in the arboretum. On Arbor Day, first graders, sixth graders and high school students assisted in the planning of several tree additions to the
Arboretum.
C) The Genesee Valley Outdoor Education Center was assisted in the production of 4 public presentations at the site. A $5,000 FL-LOWPA grant was
allocated by the District to assist with the development of the site.
REVENUES
A) The District generated $145,747 in revenues in addition to the County Appropriation and State Reimbursement.
B) The District sought FEMA funding in oder to avoid erosion of NYS Rt 19 by the Genesee River. The AEM program was given special effort in order to
secure long term funding reimbursements for activity. FL-LOWPA was fully supported and a request for subsequent year funding submitted to NYS EPF along
with the other 23 counties in the Alliance.
ADMINISTRATION AND STAFFING
A) The District Board of Directors held 11 regularly scheduled meetings.
B) The positions of Executive Director, District Field Manager, Secretary-Treasurer and Environmental Planner were maintained.
C) The District structure was further developed and Field Manager appointed. The upgrade of Environmental Planner to Program Coordinator was proposed,
however, the Planner left employ with the District.
D) The Program Assistant was employed as needed throughout the year on a part time basis.
E) The District supported the activities and objectives of the Legislature as well as associated agencies and Boards.
F) Employee appraisals were conducted biannually and employees attended training meetings and seminars. Staff meetings were routinely held.
G) The Risk Management Outline was utilized to inspect the annex and guide in field operations.