SOIL & WATER

ADVOCATE 1946—2019

73 YEARS OF

CONTINUOUS

CONSERVATION

PROGRESS

In This Issue

Water Street Flood-plain ReclamationProject

Monitoring the

Susquehanna

Watershed’s Ripari-an Forest Buffers

Re-investing forWater Quality

Tree and Shrub

Program Order Form

Staff Changes

Delaware County

Winter 2018-2019 December 31, 2018

See pages 6-7 for our easy pull-out

Tree & Shrub order form.

A little over a year has passed since taking on my new role as Executive Direc-tor for Delaware County Soil and Water. It’s been trying, it’s been challenging but moreover, it’s truly been a pleasure be-

ing surrounded by an incredibly positive and profes-sional SWCD staff, providing the best conservation service possible to Delaware County. We love the people, the mountains and the streams and are pas-sionate about conserving and protecting all of it. You will see as you read through the Advocate that the stories and pictures speak for themselves.

I cannot say enough about the importance of partner-ships, a common theme in our success stories. These triumphs are largely due to our longstanding relation-ships with agencies and organizations that share our goals of protecting and preserving our natural re-sources while being mindful of public and private safety, good stewardship of the land and water, and support of economic viability and sustainability.

Times are changing and so is the weather. With more than our share of floods, we have stepped up our efforts and sharpened our focus on flooding and its associated issues. You will find a great example on page 3 in the Water Street floodplain reclama-tion project, just one of many that will lead to flooding relief for the Village of Walton and throughout Delaware County. Often it seems we are moving too slow in our quest for flood relief. We started living, building and working along our streams and rivers over 200 years ago. It will take time, perhaps many, many years, to get to the point where we can watch the high waters pass without fear. I encourage each of you to support these endeavors and to stay connected with your community’s efforts to reduce flooding issues. We must start now to provide a future for our communities and generations to come.

The headwaters of four major watersheds begin life in Delaware County: the East and West branches of the Delaware River, the Mohawk River in the east and the Susque-hanna River along the north edge. Not a drinking water supply so much as the critical lifeblood of the Chesapeake Bay, the Susquehanna River and its tributaries draw much of our attention for very important reasons. Take a look at page 4 to learn why ripari-an buffers along the Susquehanna and its tributaries play an important role in control-

(Continued on page 10)

A Message from Larry Underwood, Executive Director

Delaware County SWCD

Directors

Frank Bachler, Chair

Member-at-Large Representative

Town of Meredith

Bruce Dolph, Vice-Chair

Member-at-Large Representative

Town of Walton

Jim Ellis, Supervisor Representative

Town of Meredith

Jeff Taggart, Supervisor Representative

Town of Franklin

Andy Kiraly, Farm Bureau Representative

Town of Franklin

Jerry Fraine, Member-at-Large Representative

Town of Meredith

Staff

Larry Underwood —Executive Director

Peggy Pilch —Secretary/Treasurer

Sandra Whittaker —Data and Budget Specialist

Judith Spencer —Administrative Assistant, Editor

Rick Weidenbach —Ass’t to the Executive Director

Larry Day —Soil and Groundwater Specialist

Susquehanna Watershed Program

Karen Clifford —Special Programs Technician

Kyle Buel —Technician

Jay Czerniak —Technician

Brian Danforth —Civil Engineering Technician

Joe LaCourt —Technician Trainee

NYC Watershed Agricultural Program

Gideon Frisbee —Technical Coordinator

Chris Savage —Civil Engineering Technician

Paula O’Brien —Technician

David Adams —Technician

David Andros —Technician

Nora Mosher —Technician

Ben Green —Technician Trainee

Rick Neuman —Planner

Brian Caruso —Systems Manager

Stream Corridor Management Program

Graydon Dutcher —Program Coordinator

Ben Dates —Project Engineer

Gale Neale —Technician

Jessica Patterson —Technician

Jeff Russell —Technician

Mike Coryat —Technician

Elizabeth Bowie —Data and Budget Specialist

Jay Dinga —Data and Budget Specialist

Catherine Skalda —CSBI Coordinator

Partnering Agencies

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Dave Mortensen —ASTC - FO

Dennis DeWeese —Acting Watershed Coordinator

Tony Capraro —District Conservationist

Quentin Gahan —Area Resource Conservationist

Suzanne Baker —Resource Conservationist

Brandon Dennis —Resource Conservationist

Dan Flaherty —Resource Conservationist

Evan Sweeney —Soil Conservationist

Andrew Grabo —Program Support Specialist

Sam Ly —Project Engineer

Paula Bagley —State Engineer

Pamela Mason —Administrative Mgmt Specialist

Cornell Cooperative Extension

Dale Dewing —CCE Team Leader

Paul Cerosaletti —Senior Resource Educator

Rich Toebe —WAP Dairy/Livestock Educator

Kim Holden —Administrative Assistant

April Wright-Lucas —Feed Management Planner

Melinda Gaida —Feed Management Planner

Ben Hepler —Nut. Mgmt Community Educator

Watershed Agricultural Council

Larry Hulle —Agricultural Program Manager

Brian LaTourette —program Operations Coordinator

Nate Townsend —Whole Farm Planning Coordinator

John Jackson —Database Manager

Kristan Morley —Economic Viability Manager

Heather Magnan —Communications Director

Sara Bolton —Pure Catskills Specialist

Nadine Trahan —GIS Coordinator

Jimmy Sietsma —Database/GIS Specialist

Elaine Poulin —WAP Procurement/Contract Officer

Lorinda Backus —Executive Assistant

Jackie VanLoan —Executive Assistant

Wendy Hanselman —Admin. Assistant to the WAP

Brittany Hall —Admin. Ass’t to Procurement & PFM

Leanne Nabinger —Engineering Specialist

Scott Boyce —Engineering Specialist

Rick Hochuli —Engineering Specialist

Peter Steenland —Technician/Engineering Coordinator

Tim Hebbard —WIRC Specialist

Cynthia McCarthy —Nutrient Mgmt/PFM Coordinator

Nate Nero —Nutrient Management Specialist

Brent McKeon —Nutrient Management Specialist

Kari Sheridan —Nutrient Management Specialist

Troy Bookhout —Conservation Planner

Dan Deysenroth —Conservation Planner

Dan Vredenburgh —Conservation Planner

Ben Hendee —Conservation Planner

Shylabeth Taylor —Precision Feed Mgmt Specialist

Aric Boyes —CREP/CSBI Planner

Alison Heaney —CREP Intern

Tristin Tait —CREP Intern

All programs and services of the Soil and Water Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service are offered on a non-

discriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, or handicap.

Water Street Floodplain Reclamation Project

N early thirteen acres of Walton Village and Town proper-

ties located on Water Street (behind McDonald’s) are

being excavated after years of planning and design to

reclaim a critical floodplain of the West Branch Delaware River.

Municipal officials, along with technical agencies, identified the

reclamation project during the development of the Local Flood

Analysis plan that addresses flood issues and prioritizes pro-

jects. The area became a topic of importance in 2006 when

flood waters could not drain from Delaware Street due to the

higher elevation of the fill between the village’s main street and

the river. More recent observation of the water concerns can be

seen as it ponds at Veterans’ Plaza after a rain storm.

Fill had been added over the years to accommodate commercial

development. Recent studies, however, show that the creating

and maintaining floodplains is the most effective way to mitigate

damage. The $1.2 million project began this fall to remove and

transport 54,000 cubic yards of fill to designated areas approved

by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

A culvert beneath Water Street will allow the water from Veter-

ans’ Plaza to drain into a swale or narrow channel. The swale

will convey the park’s 2.8 acres of stormwater runoff from build-

ing roof tops and parking lots along Delaware Street through a

vegetated filter area before it enters into the West Branch Dela-

ware River.

The US Department of Army’s Water Resources Development

Act (WRDA) provided the Delaware County Board of Supervi-

sors with a $645,760 grant for construction. The Delaware

County Soil and Water Conservation District, in partnership with

New York City Department of Environmental Protection, provid-

Proposed construction limit for the floodplain reclamation project.

Historic view from 1905 of Walton looking upstream with the Wal-ton Fairgrounds on the right side of the photo. The large, vacant floodplain on the left could hold vast amounts of floodwaters, helping to protect Delaware Street.

ed the cost share match through its local flood hazard mitigation

funds. The Walton Flood Commission did not want the property

to remain vacant following completion of the project. Several

public meetings with consulting firm Place Alliance in 2017

helped the community develop conceptual plans for walking

trails and a boat launch.

The ultimate goal of the project is to protect the community

while maintaining economic sustainability.

Current view of Walton looking upstream with the Walton Fair-grounds on the right side of the photo. Development in this area filled in the floodplain, reducing protection for both businesses and residences near the river.

3

Monitoring the Susquehanna Watershed’s Riparian Forest Buffers

D uring the spring of 2018, the DCSWCD

worked with the Upper Susquehanna Coali-

tion to secure funding for the maintenance and

monitoring of implemented riparian forest buffers

throughout the Susquehanna Watershed of Delaware County,

hiring interns Joe LaCourt and Jessica Moore to complete the project.

The purpose was to better understand the functionality of our streamside

buffers, which enhance water quality, provide habitat for fish and wildlife,

and prevent streambank erosion. All of the monitored buffers are located on

streams that ultimately lead to the Chesapeake Bay. In 2010, the Environ-

mental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Total Maximum Daily Load

(TMDL) which aimed to reduce the amount of nitrogen, phosphorous, and

sediment entering the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. In 2017, the mid-point

phase of the program, the EPA reported that New York State had achieved

the statewide phosphorous target, but had fallen short on the nitrogen and

sediment goals. With Riparian Forest Buffers being the “best bang for your

buck” in water quality enhancement, the monitoring and maintenance would

prove to be beneficial in reaching targeted goals for the TMDL in 2025.

The pair monitored 34 riparian forest buffers located on properties through-

out the county, covering a total of 527 acres . They collected data on tree

and shrub survival rates, invasive species, and general site conditions. With

this newly compiled data, the DCSWCD is now able to adjust their practices

to enhance the quality of future riparian buffers.

Jessica Moore gets a count on trees and shrubs to determine survival rates, as well as documenting their health.

Sturdy tree tubes or “shelters” protect young, vul-nerable saplings from animal browsing and wind exposure on a CREP planting in the Susquehanna Watershed.

Joe LaCourt and Jay Czerniak inspect one of the hundreds or, in some CREP areas, thousands of trees to assess its condition. Landowners main-tain the tree tubes and remove them once the trees are well-established.

4

3

A new 28’ x 67’ covered manure storage was installed to provide the farmer with an

area to periodically store manure. Keeping the stored manure protected from the ele-

ments will reduce the amount of polluted water entering the existing VTA and will ulti-

mately reduce the nutrients and sediment reaching a watercourse.

Concrete heavy use area protection. The existing HUAP provided no covered area to

stack manure, leaving it exposed to precipitation, creating a mess for the farmer and a

water quality concern for the watershed.

S WCD technical

staff working

within the NYC

Watershed Agri-

cultural Program (WAP)

had a busy year in 2018

designing and implement-

ing Best Management

Practices (BMPs) across a

number of watershed

farms. Andes Mountain

Farm, a beef operation

owned by Joe and Nancy

Eisele in the Town of An-

des, had multiple BMPs

updated through the WAP

Repair & Replacement

strategy. Every BMP in-

stalled has a lifespan – the

amount of time it is ex-

pected to function to solve

a resource concern, so

long as proper operation

and maintenance activities

are completed. USDA/

NRCS Standards also

evolve and change, so if a

BMP no longer functions

as intended and needs

work, it needs to be re-

constructed to meet new

standards if applicable.

Repair & Replacement is

used to re-invest in existing

BMP infrastructure to en-

sure continual water quality

protection and extend the

BMP for another lifespan.

(Continued on page 10)

5

“The design plan was well done, and the contractors did a great job in its execution.”

Joe Eisele Landowner

Re-investing for Water Quality

2019 Tree and Shrub Order Form Deadline March 15

6

Call Karen at 607-865-7161 for pricing on larger orders.

Quantity Species and Age Size 25 50 100 Cost

White Spruce 9-15" $20 $35 $60

White Pine 6-14" $20 $35 $60

Norway Spruce 9-15" $20 $35 $60

Fraser Fir 8-14" $25 $40 $70

American Larch 12-18" $45 $60 $110

Quantity Species and Age Size 10 50 100 Cost

White Spruce 15-20" $20 $80 $140

Norway Spruce 15-24" $20 $80 $140

Quantity Species and Age Size 25 50 100 Cost

Sugar Maple 18-24" $45 $70 $105

River Birch 18-24" $45 $70 $105

Swamp White Oak 18-24" $45 $70 $105

Quantity Species and Age Size 10 25 Cost

Elderberry 18-24" $25 $40

Black Chokeberry 18-24" $30 $45

Arrowwood 18-24" $25 $40

Red Crabapple 18-24" $30 $45

Buttonbush 18-24" $25 $40

Quantity Species and Age Size Cost

Blue Jay Blueberry 18-24"

Patriot Blueberry 18-24"

Liberty Apple 3' - 4'

Gold Rush Apple 3' - 4'

Contender Peach 3' - 4'

EVERGREEN SEEDLINGS

EVERGREEN TRANSPLANTS

HARDWOODS

FLOWERING

FRUIT TREES AND SHRUBS

$25 for 5 plants

$20 EACH tree

$25 for 5 plants

$20 EACH tree

$20 EACH tree

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO DCSWCD

White Spruce Christmas trees, windbreak

Short, green needles

Slow to moderate growth to 100’

Well-drained soil to seasonal wetness

Significant food/nesting source for wildlife

Low deer browse

Native to New York

Norway Spruce Windbreak, screening,

lumber, wildlife habitat

Branches droop with maturity

Moderate growth to 90’

Well-drained soil to seasonal wetness

White Pine Reaches up to 140’

Soft needles, 2.5” - 5”

Cones 4” - 8”

Grows in a range of soils

Used for timber

Christmas/ornamental

Wildlife habitat

Windbreaks and screens

Erosion control

Make your selections from the following

hardwoods, shrubs,

evergreens, and variety

packs.

Order by March 15

Pick up April 13

ORDER EARLY AS SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED!!

Cost

Evergreen (3 each)

Hardwood (4 each)

Flowering (4 each)

Wetland (3 each)

Quantity Cost

3' X 3' Weed Mats with Pins $1.75 each

Planting Bars $45 each

$5 each

$.10 each

TOTAL ORDER

$150/hundred

$85 box/1000

5' Tree Shelter (stake not included)

Fertilizer Tablets (10 gram, 20-10-5)

PLANTING SUPPLIES

Fraser Fir, White Pine, White Spruce, Norway Spruce

American Larch, White Spruce, Arrowwood, Buttonbush

12 PACKS - $25 PER PACK

Black Chokeberry, Red Crabapple, Elderberry

Sugar Maple, River Birch, Swamp White Oak

7

Name EmailPlease print clearly Please print clearly

Mailing Address

Daytime phone Cell

Fraser Fir Popular Christmas tree

species Dark blue-green needles Pleasant scent Reaches maximum

height of 80’ Intermediate in shade

tolerance Likes rocky to sandy

soils that are acidic

Sugar Maple Maple syrup, timber Red, orange and yellow

fall colors Moderate to fast growth

to 100’ Well-drained soil Susceptible to deer damage Important to wildlife Native to New York

Swamp White Oak Excellent shade tree Attractive peeling bark Orange-gold autumn

leaves, acorn fruit Acid moist well-drained

soil Drought, salt, and heat

tolerant Transplants well Grows to 50’-60’

American Larch Short, soft needles Deciduous, golden in fall Aromatic Fast growth to 50’ Moist upland or boggy

soil Susceptible to deer damage Benefits wildlife Native to New York

River Birch Erosion control plantings,

moderately flood tolerant Landscaping; young,

peeling bark thickens Moderate growth, 50-70’ Wildlife habitat Needs direct sun Yellow autumn leaves

drop early Easily transplanted and

established

Arrowwood Grows 6-15’ Flat clusters of creamy

white flowers Autumn leaves yellow,

red, purple Blue-black fruit Full sun, partial shade Wildlife habitat Attracts butterflies and

birds

Black Chokeberry (Aronia) Withstands wet conditions

along ponds and streams; flood tolerant

Nectar attracts birds, bees, butterflies,

Wildlife feed on berries Vivid fall foliage Grows to 6-8’ Native to New York Many claimed health benefits

Elderberry Grows to 6’-12’ Moist, well-drained soil Used in streamside

buffers Wildlife habitat Wildlife food source Fruit high in Vitamin C Fruit used in wine,

jam, syrup and pies

8

NEED PLANTING ADVICE?

OUR STAFF WILL BE

ON HAND ON PICKUP DAY TO ANSWER YOUR

QUESTIONS.

Patriot Blueberry Cold-hardy Large, aromatic, flavor-

ful, dark blue fruit Early season harvest High production with 10-20 lbs at maturity Low, 3-5’ bushes Perform better in wet

soils than others Autumn foliage fiery red

Contender Peach Exceptionally cold-hardy Freestone Ripens mid/late August Self-pollinating Full Sun Well-drained soil 2-4 years to bearing Medium to large, sweet,

firm fruit

Blue Jay Blueberry Extremely vigorous and

fast growing to 6-7’ Ripens in July, heavy

producer for weeks High sugar content Plant with two other

varieties for pollination Autumn leaves are yellow-orange Full sun

Gold Rush Apple Dessert apple, good

fresh and in pies or crisps

Disease resistant Tart, tangy flavor Ripens mid/late October Pollinator needed Full sun Well-drained soil 2-5 years to bearing

Buttonbush Grows to 3-10’ 1” white or pink, round

fragrant blossoms turn red in autumn

Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and bees

Wetlands, floodplains, riparian buffer plantings

Full sun, light shade

Liberty Apple Low maintenance Disease resistant Great for eating, cooking,

canning and keeping Ripens early September Pollinator needed Full Sun Well-drained soil 2-5 years to bearing

Red Crabapple Bright red, 1/2” fruit persist to winter Red buds produce long-lasting pink blooms Full sun Grows to 20-30’, width

10-30’, semi-weeping Moderately drought tolerant Require little pruning

9

The system of BMPs on the Eisele farm was originally installed in 2006 with a 10 year lifespan. Through annual monitoring visits

to the farm by WAP staff, it was observed that much of the system needed to be updated following the expiration of the lifespan,

as BMPs were no longer functioning at the intended levels needed to fully protect water quality. Highlights of this year’s project

included building a roof over an identified manure storage area of the originally installed concrete barnyard area, as well as many

improvements to water control structures that keep clean water excluded from the barnyard area. SWCD EIT David Adams

worked with Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) Planner Dan Vredenburgh and WAC Engineer Pete Steenland to develop

detailed designs of each BMP, and then provided construction site inspection while a local contractor completed the work. Joe

Eisele was very happy with the work by all, commenting that “the design plan was well done, and the contractors did a great job

in its execution.”

(Continued from page 5)

Eisele

10

Additional water control structures were installed to divert water

into the repaired diversion. These new practices, along with the

repaired diversion, keep water from entering the repaired ani-

mal trails and HUAP.

The existing diversion was undersized, and additional water

control structures were needed for the amount of water entering

the diversion. As a result the practice failed.

ling and minimizing nutrient runoff that can reach the Bay, causing harmful algal blooms, undesirable or invasive aquatic weed beds and other issues that have led to a decline in fish, oysters, blue crabs and overall water quality in this nationally treasured and protected waterbody.

Delaware County Soil and Water has partnered and contracted with the Watershed Agricultural Council and joined with USDA, NYCDEP, NYSDEC and CCE of Delaware County for over 25 years to work with our farmers in a concerted effort to improve and protect New York City’s drinking water supply. The majority of these farms are located here in Delaware County. Thousands of conservation best management practices (BMPs) that were installed early in the Program were not expected to last indefinitely and wear out with usage and age. See page 5 to learn how NYCDEP recognizes the cost-effective benefits of replacing or repairing BMPs that have exceeded their lifespan.

I’m excited about our newest offerings in our ever evolving Conservation Tree and Shrub Program and hope you will be, too. Use our “pull-out” form inside, visit our website or stop by our office for the 2019 order form.

We are very fortunate to have so many talented and experienced employees; we strive to maintain and build our exceedingly pro-fessional staff to meet current and future conservation needs throughout Delaware County. Meet our newest team members on page 11.

I look forward to another productive and successful year for Delaware County Soil & Water and wish all of you a successful and prosperous year as well!

(Continued from page 1) Underwood

B en Green, a Walton

native, has been hired

by the District as a

Technician Trainee assigned to

the Watershed Ag Program. A

graduate of SUNY Oswego,

Ben has a degree in Environ-

mental Geology. Like so many

of our agencies’ permanent

employees, he began his expe-

rience in the Watershed as an

intern, with Ben’s two summers

spent “getting his feet wet” in

the Stream Program.

J oe LaCourt, right,

from Oneonta, is a

Technician Trainee

with the Susquehanna

Program. He has a B.S. in

Geography from SUNY

Oneonta and an A. S. in

Music Recording

Technology from Finger

Lakes CC. Joe has done

coastal wetland restoration

through a volunteer program

as part of a geography

service learning course.

The DCSWCD Welcomes New Staff in 2018

R ick Neuman grew up on a farm in Homer where his

family raised registered Holsteins. Rick graduated from

SUNY Morrisville and SUNY ESF and began his career

at the Skaneateles Lake Wa-

tershed Ag Program as a Nu-

trient Management Planner,

later becoming NYS AEM

Certified. In 2007 Rick began

a new adventure as the

farmer at Muscoot Farm, an

interpretive farm at a park in

Westchester County. Rick

and his wife, Martha then

moved back to Tioga County,

then on to Delaware County

SWCD as a NYS AEM Certi-

fied Planner.

N ora Mosher returned to the SWCD recently as a

Technician as-

signed to the

Watershed Ag Program,

a title she held several

years ago. In the interim

she has worked as a

designer for a metal

fabricator as well as Alta

and Beaver Mountain

Log Homes. She brings

nearly thirty years of

construction and engi-

neering experience to

the job, with several of

those specific to the

NYC Watershed.

The

Delaware County SWCD

wishes its readers

a healthy,

prosperous and safe

New Year!

T he Stream Program welcomed Jay Dinga

as a full-time, temporary Data and Budg-

et Specialist. An alumnus of the Univer-

sity of Notre Dame, Jay brings a wealth of ac-

counting experience to the position as the former

Broome County Comptroller, CCE Compliance

Review Manager, Deputy Administrator-Fiscal

for Broome County-run Willow Point Nursing

Home and Director of Finance of the Oneonta

Job Corps program.

Jay also served eight years as a New York State

Assemblyman and eight years with Tioga Downs

Racetrack & Casino as Director of Business De-

velopment and Government Relations.

11

Call 607-865-7161

for more information.

Pickup Saturday,

April 13 at the

SWCD office in Walton.

Prepaid orders due

March 15

Check out our new wetland and evergreen variety packs!

Blue Jay Blueberry Liberty Apple

Patriot Blueberry Gold Rush Apple

Contender Peach

Swamp White Oak

Delaware County SWCD

44 West Street, Suite 1

Walton, New York 13856

RETURN SERVICE

REQUESTED

PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE

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PERMIT #197

BINGHAMTON, NY