The Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District was recently awarded $965,625 under the New York State Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program.

Roughly $16.8 million statewide was approved for agricultural water quality conservation projects across the state, working with Soil and Water Conservation districts to help farmers with projects to prevent water pollution.

“I am very pleased to hear our Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District is working together with three local farmers to improve agricultural practices and protect our local waterways,” said County Executive George Borrello. “Projects like these have a positive impact by reducing nutrient flow and loading into our local watersheds. The County remains committed to working to treat the “disease” affecting our lakes and waterways for long term results, as well as annual maintenance activities.”

One project was awarded $156,255 to work with a farm in the Clymer Water District which includes Hulbert/Clymer Pond. The project will reduce phosphorous and nitrogen flow into the Clymer aquifer and surface water resources by improving agricultural waste management practices and implementing a riparian herbaceous buffer to help filter nutrients and sediments from pastures. The other project including two farms in the Conewango Creek Watershed was awarded $809,370. The projects seek to reduce sediment and nutrient inputs into Conewango Creek, an important warm water fishery. Implementation will improve manure management at the farms and also implement riparian buffers on several crop fields.

“The district has been successful over the years in bringing state agricultural non-point source protection grants to watersheds across Chautauqua County,” said Dave Spann, Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District field manager. “Through continued support of the District, our local producers and the agricultural industry, we can continue to make strides in installing best management practices on farms that protect the environment as well as sustain the agri-businesses our county supports.”