Pataki And Nozzolio Announce $563,878 To Protect Waterways In Cayuga And Tompkins Counties

Albany – Senator Michael F. Nozzolio (R-Fayette) today announced $563,878 in State funding for projects in Cayuga and Tompkins Counties that will help farmers protect area lakes, streams and rivers from agricultural runoff. This assistance is awarded through the New York State Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program (ANSCAP), which serves as a vital component of the Governor’s Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program.

Senator Nozzolio said, “These grants will provide necessary assistance to area farmers while also ensuring a safe, clean water supply for our residents. This announcement complements our efforts in creating the new Finger Lakes Institute, and continues Governor Pataki’s commitment to New York’s agricultural industry and the land, lakes and rivers which are so important to the future of our environment.”

Cayuga County was awarded the following grant:

Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District – $91,646.00 To address nutrient loading by four farms into the Cayuga Lake Watershed, a public drinking water source. Measures include silage leachate control systems, and an agricultural waste storage system.

Tompkins County was awarded the following grants:

Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District – $151,770.00 For the implementation of prescribed grazing systems on 23 livestock farms located in sub-watersheds of Cayuga Lake and Owasco Lake Inlet. The funding will be used to remedy problems such as aquatic habitat loss, streambank erosion, and will in turn have positive effects on water quality.

Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District – $320,462.00 Through this project, two milkhouse waste collection systems; two silage leachate collection systems; one manure storage structure; two barnyard runoff management systems; and three heavy use area protection systems will be constructed on three dairy farms in the Taughannock and Willow Creek Watersheds. The anticipated environmental benefits from the implementation of the best management practices include improved drinking water quality, improved aquatic habitat, reduced nutrient loading and manure runoff from entering southern Cayuga Lake.