Stewardship Programs of the Watershed Agricultural Council The primary business of most Whole Farm Participants in the Croton Watershed is equestrian – breeding, boarding, training, or showing horses. These activities often present WAC’s planning team with challenges that do not correlate with existing USDA NRCS standards. When the absence of suitable land area prevents the use of conventional surface treatment measures, East of Hudson planners have used the former NRCS “Milkhouse Waste Infiltration Area” standard as the closest equivalent remedy to the problem of managing “gray water” from horse wash stalls. Consequently, the East of Hudson Program recently developed a new WAC standard to treat wash stall water using an underground infiltration system that sends effluent into a settling tank, then to a dry-well or seepage pit that meets specific site and soil requirements. In some exceptional circumstances, subsurface infiltration chambers, similar to a septic system, are implemented as well. Working with existing NRCS standards and input from DEP, SWCD, WAC planners and engineers and the State NRCS engineer, the East of Hudson Program presented a new WAC Best Management Practice (BMP) to the Council for approval. The BMP, known as “Wastewater Infiltration System,” addresses these unique issues relating to horse farms. The system was also designed to meet federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and has been successfully reviewed by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. The East of Hudson Program also received a letter of support from the Westchester County Department of Health, whose Deputy Commissioner Leonard Meyerson described the innovative BMP as “progressive” in the protection of New York City’s water supply and public health. Watershed Farm & Forest Croton Watershed Initiates Innovative Water Treatment Standard State-of-the-art horse boarding facilities often fall short in water qualityprotection measures. The WAC’s latest technical standard to treat wash stall “gray water” addresses this issue. In keeping with its environmental objectives, the Watershed Agricultural Council is proud to print this and future issues of Watershed Farm & Forest on New Leaf Opaque 100, a processed chlorine-free paper made of 100% recycled and 100% post- consumer waste. Not only does the paper save trees and promote responsible forestry practices, the chlorine-free measure protects water quality. You can help us take another big step towards environmental responsibility by signing up for our email bulletin, The Watershed Current. Electronic versions of the Watershed Farm & Forest newsletter, the 2007 annual report and occasional e-bulletins can also be sent directly to your email. Sign up online at www.nycwatershed.org or call Communications Director, Tara Collins (607) 865-7790, ext. 125. The WAC respects your privacy and will not share your name, address or email with third parties. In this “before” photo, untreated wastewater from a wash stall flows directly into a nearby stream. After applying the WAC’s latest water treatment known as “Wastewater Infiltration System,” there is nothing to “see” as an “after” shot. All wash water is directed underground to an area where the potential for impacting groundwater is low. MARCH 2008 Watershed Farm & Forrest Newsletter.indd 1 3/12/08 12:59:55 PM
Transcript
Stewardship Programs of the Watershed Agricultural Council
The primary business of most Whole Farm Participants in the Croton Watershed is equestrian – breeding, boarding, training, or showing horses. These activities often present WAC’s planning team with challenges that do not correlate with existing USDA NRCS standards. When the absence of suitable land area prevents the use of conventional surface treatment measures, East of Hudson planners have used the former NRCS “Milkhouse Waste Infiltration Area” standard as the closest equivalent remedy to the problem of managing “gray water” from horse wash stalls. Consequently, the East of Hudson Program recently developed a new WAC standard to treat wash stall water using an underground infiltration system that sends effluent into a settling tank, then to a dry-well or seepage pit that meets specific site and soil requirements. In some exceptional circumstances, subsurface infiltration chambers, similar to a septic system, are implemented as well. Working with existing NRCS standards and input from DEP, SWCD, WAC planners and engineers and the State NRCS engineer, the East of Hudson Program presented a new WAC Best Management Practice (BMP) to the Council for approval. The BMP, known as “Wastewater Infiltration System,” addresses these unique issues relating to horse farms. The system was also designed to meet federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and has been successfully reviewed by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. The East of Hudson Program also received a letter of support from the Westchester County Department of Health, whose Deputy Commissioner Leonard Meyerson described the innovative BMP as “progressive” in the protection of New York City’s water supply and public health.
Watershed Farm & ForestCroton Watershed Initiates Innovative Water Treatment StandardState-of-the-art horse boarding facilities often fall short in water qualityprotection measures.
The WAC’s latest technical standard to treat wash stall “gray water” addresses this issue.
In keeping with its environmental objectives, the Watershed Agricultural Council is proud to print this and future issues of Watershed Farm & Forest on New Leaf Opaque 100, a processed chlorine-free paper made of 100% recycled and 100% post-consumer waste. Not only does the paper save trees and promote responsible forestry practices, the chlorine-free measure protects water quality.
You can help us take another big step towards environmental responsibility by signing up for our email bulletin, The Watershed Current. Electronic versions of the Watershed Farm & Forest newsletter, the 2007 annual report and occasional e-bulletins can also be sent directly to your email. Sign up online at www.nycwatershed.org or call Communications Director, Tara Collins (607) 865-7790, ext. 125. The WAC respects your privacy and will not share your name, address or email with third parties.
In this “before” photo, untreated wastewater from a wash stall flows directly into a nearby stream. After applying the WAC’s latest water treatment known as “Wastewater Infiltration System,” there is nothing to “see” as an “after” shot. All wash water is directed underground to an area where the potential for impacting groundwater is low.
At its January organizational meeting, the Watershed Agricultural Council welcomed three new members to its Board: Linda DeWitt of Delhi, Barbara Howard of North Salem and Bob Partridge of Windham. The 16-member Board, which represents the interests of farm and forest landowners within the New York City Watershed, is charged with WAC’s policy making. Pictured are: (front row officers, l-r) Gail Hillriegel, William Coleman, David Cammer, Fred Huneke; (middle row, l-r) Sally Fairbairn, Barbara Howard, Aissa O’Neill, Barbara Wilkins, Linda DeWitt, David Post; (back row, l-r) Larry Beckhardt (DEP), Bob Partridge, John Verhoeven, Dan Palm, Darby Hartwell. (Not pictured: Tom Hutson)
Last November, Congressman Maurice Hinchey accepted the Karl Connell Watershed Forestry Award from the Watershed Agricultural Council for his dedication and support of the forest industry in the New York City Watershed. The award ceremony was held at Cannonsville Lumber, a recipient of federal grant funds directed to this area by Congress and the U.S. Forest Service. “I am delighted and honored to receive the Karl Connell Watershed Forestry Award,” Hinchey said. “The Council has been a critical leader in promoting our shared goal of supporting sustainable agriculture, forestry and local economic development, while also protecting the integrity of the New York City watershed. We are fortunate to have such extraordinary natural resources in our backyard, and we must continue to work closely to ensure that future generations enjoy and benefit from these tremendous resources.”
Watershed Agricultural Council Chairman Fred Huneke thanks Jim Robertson of Franklin for his service since 1995. Dan Grommeck of Andes and John Cook of Delhi, members since 2004 and 1994 respectively, were also recognized for their contribution to WAC’s governing board.
Tom Pavlesich, Forestry Program Manager (far left), introduces Congressman Maurice Hinchey at the Karl Connell Award ceremony held last November at Cannonsville Lumber in Deposit. Pictured to Tom’s right are board member Dan Palm, Forestry Committee Chair; Congressman Maurice Hinchey; Fred Huneke, Chairman of the Board; Tom O’Brien, Executive Director; and Collin Miller, Forestry Specialist.
5th Annual Forestry Award Presented
One Brand: Good Wood. Good Food. Clean Water.Catskill WoodNet – a regional collaboration of woodworkers, artisans, and sawmills – recently launched a Pure Catskills brand for local wood producers. The new trademark for forest products is a spin-off from the successful “Pure Catskills: Buy Fresh, Buy Local” campaign promoting 150 area farms. The WAC supports both economic initiatives aimed
at sustaining agriculture and forestry as preferred land uses for water quality protection and land conservation in the New York City Watershed. The joint marketing effort looks to bolster the region’s identity, connect product to market, and expand the sister initiatives’ presence as a dual-track approach to improving the economic health of the six-county region.
The Watershed Agricultural Council continues to raise money for the Conservation Easement Stewardship Fund, a pro-active fund designed to care for lands under easement in perpetuity. The Council’s 10-year goal is to establish a $10-million endowment. The secured principle will generate interest which will fund easement monitoring services. The DEP has already committed over $400,000 to the Easement Stewardship Fund for the oversight of 15,000 acres already held by WAC. For every new easement acquired by WAC, DEP will grant $8,000 to WAC’s $4,000. This challenge grant presents an exciting opportunity for our supporters to invest their money in a 1:2 return. If you wish to donate to this effort, go to www.nycwatershed.org and click on the “Donate Now” water drop. For more information, call Executive Director Tom O’Brien at (607) 865-7790, ext. 103.
To expand its public visibility, the WAC supports regional events which target farm and forest industries, landowners, and consumers. Last July at FarmAid on Randall’s Island, WAC staff members set up shop to educate New York City water consumers about their Catskills water source. In February, the Pure Catskills branding campaign promoted regional farm and forest products by handing out maple syrup samples and calendars at Central Park’s Winter Jam 2008. Over the last 12 months, WAC has backed regional conferences hosted by American Farmland Trust, Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, and Cornell Cooperative Extension. In 2008, WAC will help sponsor the Catskill Regional Dairy, Livestock and Grazing Conference, Grasstravaganza in Binghamton on March 28 and 29, and a landowner workshop at Clearpool Education Center in Putnam County on April 12th.
At FarmAid, Executive Director Tom O’Brien demonstrates the fundamentals of water quality with the aid of newspaper, a water-filled spray bottle and Kool-Aid.
Events like Farmer for a Day at East Meredith’s Stone & Thistle Farm reconnect people with their food.
NYS Ag & Markets Commissioner Patrick Hooker spoke with Communications Director, Tara Collins, at the Northeast Organic Farming Association’s January conference in Saratoga Springs, NY. Seven Pure Catskills members on WAC educational scholarships attended the event to garner new information on organic and alternative farming practices. The WAC also participated as a Platinum Sponsor of NOFA-NY’s three-day event that attracted over 1,000 regional farmers.
WAC Reaches Out Across Region Stewardship Fund Challenge Grant3
During October’s Small Farm Tour, board member Gail Hillriegel connects with “residents” at Healing Waters Farm, Walton.
The Main Office on State Highway 10, Walton is undergoing a much needed facelift. Walls stripped of plaster, slats and limited insulation are being replaced with energy-efficient insulation, new sheetrock and woodwork. Along with updating the electrical wiring and fixtures, the kitchen and back stairwell will be reconfigured for safer access. The renovations will maximize the space currently available under the new roof.
PRSRTU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDDELHI, NY 13753
Permit #7
The Watershed Agricultural Council has three
offices in the watershed region:
WAC-M
ain Office
33195 State Highway 10W
alton, NY 13856(607) 865-7790
WAC-W
atershed Agricultural Program44 W
est StreetW
alton, NY 13856(607) 865-7017
WAC-East of Hudson Offi
ce1275 Hanover StreetYorktown Heights, NY 10598(914) 962-6355
Watershed Farm
& Forest is a newsletter of the Watershed Agricultural Council
(WAC), a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to support the
economic viability of agriculture and forestry through the protection of water
quality and the promotion of land conservation in the New York City W
atershed region. The WAC is funded by the New York City Departm
ent of Environmental
Protection, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other federal, foundation and
private sources. The WAC is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
As the Easement Program Manager, Jeff Graff receives numerous phones calls and emails from individuals inquiring about the types of conservation easements available to landowners. The purposes of conservation easements vary from easement to easement. Some easements limit development or protect wildlife. Others are designed to protect open space and preserve agricultural lands. In general, two types of easements exist: donated and purchased.
“The Watershed Agricultural Council’s easement program purchases easements -- sometimes referred to as PDR’s or “Purchase of Development Rights,” explains Graff. “This money was originally allocated by New York City as part of a land acquisition program created under the 1997 Watershed Memorandum of Agreement. The purpose of the WAC easement is to protect New York City’s public drinking water supply and to protect agricultural lands in the watershed. PDR programs (like the WAC’s) purchase an interest in a property by paying landowners for the development rights. The purchaser then holds those rights in perpetuity.”
A common analogy is to think of land rights as a bundle of sticks. Every parcel of land comes with a distinct bundle, with each stick representing a different landowner “right.” A stick might represent the right to mine coal or harvest slate; to channel water or irrigate; to develop, farm, timber or sell land. In the New York City Watershed, the most commonly negotiated right is that “stick” representing development. In a WAC conservation easement, the WAC purchases the development right only, leaving all other rights to the landowner. In other PDRs, an entity may purchase all rights, including development, and then lease certain rights back to the landowner, such as the right to timber, farm or mine.
“The WAC also accepts donated easements outside the watershed,” adds Graff, “the terms of which are governed by federal law, IRS Code 170(h), and in New York, State Environmental Conservation Law Article 49, Section 3. With a qualified donated easement, landowners are eligible for both a federal tax deduction and a state tax credit. While a landowner does not receive a direct payment for those development rights as with a PDR program, they can receive significant tax benefits by donating those development rights to a qualified land trust. Regardless of whether an easement is donated or purchased, it must be held by a qualified land trust as defined under both state law and federal law.
