Who We Are
What We Do

Responsibilities

Programs

Minutes
Reports
Contacts

What We Do

The mission of the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee is to develop and oversee implementation of an effective soil and water conservation and agricultural nonpoint source water quality program for the State of New York that is implemented primarily through county Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Photo: Barb Silvestri, NYSSWCC

Responsibilities:

  • Serves as an information and idea exchange between member agencies and groups. This improves trust and cooperation, and results in better program implementation
  • Establishes policy to guide the programs of New York's 58 County Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
  • Helps Soil and Water Conservation Districts organize, develop and carry out their programs
  • Advises all agencies of government on matters relating to soil and water conservation.
  • Serves as "lead agency" for New York State's agricultural nonpoint source pollution control programs.

Programs:

  • Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) is a cooperative, interagency program that provides one-on-one help to farmers to identify environmental risks on their farms. Once these risks are identified, farmers receive planning, design and help obtaining financial assistance to correct existing problems and prevent future ones. The State Committee develops policy for the statewide AEM program and administers programs through staff and various groups associated with the interagency AEM Steering Committee.
  • AEM Coordinator: Jeff Ten Eyck, NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee, 384 Champlin Road, Groton, NY 13073. Phone/Fax: (607) 838-3353
  • AEM Outreach Coordinator: Barbara Silvestri, NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee, 10B Airline Drive, Albany, NY 12235. Phone: (518) 457-3738 Fax: (518) 457-3412.
  • The New York State Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control 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. Contact: Brian Steinmuller, NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee, 10B Airline Drive, Albany, NY 12235. Phone: (518) 457-3738, FAX (518) 457-3412.