Governor Hochul’s proposed budget includes $500 million for clean water initiatives, and in her State of the State address, she specifically mentioned the need to protect the eastern Finger Lakes from Harmful Algal Blooms, an increasing site in the area.
Speaking on FLX Morning, Executive Director of the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council, Doctor Adam Effler, said that, to him, the most important aspect of the governor’s address is the commitment to invest in the Eastern Finger Lakes Coalition of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
“This is the most important feature to me,” Effler said, “that she will be directing key investments into the Eastern Finger Lakes Coalition of Soil and Water Conservation Districts to build professional capacity and accelerate agricultural and resiliency-related projects.”
The coalition can streamline funding and resources from New York to support the agricultural industry in advancing best practices. Effler added that this is similar to what the Upper Susquehanna Coalition has done for the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay which has seen success in accelerating the implementation of best management practices.
Effler believes this investment will help overcome a major challenge conservation districts face, a lack of personnel.
“If you imagine these districts that have been working with farmers for many decades now, having some traction and success through the years,” Effler said, “really in order to support farmers, they need staffing; they need personnel; they need capacity so that they can provide the direct support on the farm.”
According to the State of the State companion book, the capital infusion will also provide support for farmers to implement these best practices such as investing in more cover crops, improving culverts, reducing runoff, and other initiatives to improve soil health and reduce impairments to water quality.
Earlier this month, the City of Auburn and the Town of Owasco sued New York over Owasco Lake.
