Senator Nozzolio Announces $534,488 To Protect Waterways In Ontario County

Albany – Senator Michael F. Nozzolio (R-Fayette) today announced $534,488 in State funding for projects in Ontario County 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.”

Ontario County was awarded the following grants:

Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District-- $285,423 For the implementation of best management practices on six priority farms in this multi-watershed, multi-county project, designed to help control and abate the sources of pollution from agricultural activities, protect surface and ground water resources and increase the environmental and economic benefit of water resources for fishing, recreation and real property values.

Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District-- $249,065
For the implementation of best management practices on nine priority farms in the Seneca Lake and Flint Creek Watersheds to help further control and abate sources of pollution in the watersheds. Best management practices include: a barnyard management system, an agrichemical mixing facility, a water and sediment control basin, and three milkhouse waste collection systems.

Eligible projects include those that develop water quality assessments, build runoff buffers and waste management systems for watershed protection, and provide technical assistance for farmers.