Paul Szmal: Let's check in now with Dr. Adam Effler from the Awasco Lake Watershed Management Council. Adam, good morning. How are you?
Adam Effler: Hey, Paul. Doing very well, thanks. How are you?
Paul Szmal: I am good. I am good. It looks a little bit like a combination of Seattle and London outside, but that's okay.
Adam Effler: Indeed, it does.
Paul Szmal: Let's talk about the advocacy days that just happened. This is an annual occurrence out in Albany, and how did your organization participate in it?
Adam Effler: Right. So there were two days of interest regarding environmental advocacy in Albany last week. There was the perennial Environmental Protection Fund Lobby Day that was organized by New Yorkers for Clean Water and Jobs and was held on February 10th with over 150 advocates urging a $425 million plus funding allocation for the 2026 through 2027 state budget for the purpose of supporting clean water, land conservation, and parks. And so key features for that particular day, including securing dollars to support statewide conservation and infrastructure projects, pushing for robust funding to protect clean drinking water, farmland, and forests. And there was some engagement with key legislators from the Environmental Protection Committee, including Senator Pete Harcum and Assemblymember Deb Glick. So for our part, the Awasco Lake and Awasco Lake Watershed contingent was represented by our partners from the Lake Association. A few members there agreed to attend and represent on our behalf. Really a great showing for that event.
But there's one event I'd like to speak some more to you about, and that is the first ever Finger Lakes Advocacy Day. So that was very interesting. That was held on the subsequent day. So that was on the 11th. And the focus there, organized by the Finger Lakes Land Trust, really took the reins to spearhead this. The purpose was to advocate for regional environmental protection, water quality, and infrastructure, specifically for the Finger Lakes region. There were 15 watershed associations, land trusts, and conservation groups that met with lawmakers to urge increased funding for our region. And really focusing on nutrient pollution reduction, you and I have spoken at length about that on previous calls, land conservation, and combating harmful algal blooms.
Paul Szmal: Dr. Adam Effler joining us here this morning from the Awasco Lake Watershed Management Council here on FLX Morning. So this was basically an exercise in making presentations on why funds should be allocated in the state budget, as well as perhaps potential legislation?
Adam Effler: Correct. That's correct. So for the Perennial EPF Lobby Day that has been ongoing for many years, that the EPF garners a couple of line items that are of particular relevance to us in the Finger Lakes and throughout the state. One is called FLOPA. That's the acronym. That's the Finger Lakes Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance Fund. And that funds a number of projects for us through the Cuyahoga County Planning Department for both water quality monitoring, as well as implementation projects for the Soil and Water Conservation District. There's a new line within the EPF called the Eastern Finger Lakes Coalition Line. And this is a brand new program that's unifying the Soil and Water Conservation Districts across the Eastern Finger Lakes, really centered in Cuyahoga County, and working towards improved efficiencies and collaboration among the districts. But I would say that this new advocacy day for the Finger Lakes is important for us because it's really getting eyes on the region. And as you mentioned, it's really not just about requesting additional dollars. It's also about garnering attention from legislators with regards to new legislation and monitoring around harmful algal blooms, which are showing to be very dangerous for public health.
Paul Szmal: Absolutely. Let's move on and talk about some agricultural conservation practices as we get into spring. Yeah, believe it or not, eventually the snow is going to melt and we're going to be back to that time of year. I kind of call it mud season here in the Finger Lakes because we get a lot of, you know, the snow melting, the groundwater table comes up. This is a time when you have to be careful because a lot of sediment could carry nutrients into Owasco Lake. Am I correct in that?
Adam Effler: Correct, Paul. Yeah, and I think that mud season is perhaps a good term. So, you know, this time of year, there's a high potential for sediment suspension, as you indicated, and sediment typically accommodates and carries nutrients. And so, of course, water flows downhill. We talk a lot about watershed science. Watershed is really best defined as a drainage basin. And we know that this time of year, when sediment and thereby nutrients are suspended, that they tend to discharge into our water bodies, and in our case, into Owasco Lake. And we're looking to curb those features, the suspended sediment and nutrient discharges as best we can.
And so, I figured it'd be fitting to discuss with you somewhat the preparedness for ag conservation this time of year. We're seeing some snow melt here and rain and potential for sediment and nutrient suspension. So, proactive farmers in the watershed, they prepare their land for spring by focusing on soil health through several different practices. And really, the agricultural conservation practice tool bucket has really grown. Those practices include reduced tillage, so really reducing, tearing up the land and exposing soils in a way that they're more likely to become suspended, maintaining cover crops. And so, we'll see this time of year, many cover crops still in place that are holding sediments in place through their roots, and adding compost to enhance structure and nutrients to the soil. So, as we move into the spring season, we see proactive farmers avoiding wet soil. So, they refrain from working in fields when the soil is too wet, and that helps to prevent severe compaction, as well as suspension of sediments. They plan fencing this time of year, so they repair or install fences to manage their livestock, and that helps protect sensitive areas. And they also clean up responsibly. They safely dispose of agricultural waste and recycle old materials. So, that's just a few examples there of the sorts of practices that proactive farmers are doing as they start to look forward to the spring.
Paul Szmal: And that, you know, the big thing that I have noticed is a lot more of the cover crops that you're talking about.
Adam Effler: Yes, I would say, arguably, that has been one of the most successful agricultural conservation practices. Of course, it's very visual. The greater public can see how much cover crops have expanded throughout New York State. And it's also one that's interesting, if you look at aerial maps over the course of recent history, you'll see more and more cover crops this time of year where, historically speaking, those soils were exposed. You know, arguably, where we've struggled some has to do with another practice that is referred to as riparian buffers. And these are buffers that are planted using native trees, shrubs, or grasses, usually recommended about 35 feet wide along watercourses. And they're intended to filter runoff from adjacent fields into the creeks. And where we struggle, in my view, is that, you know, these private properties, which are owned and managed by producers, you know, they are intended to grow either cash crops or feed for livestock. And really, there is an advantage in optimizing lands, right, for yield. And so we're working towards trying to figure out ways to incentivize and encourage farmers in the watershed to adopt riparian buffers as a strategy towards conservation, really trying to protect those stream corridors before there are discharges into those adjacent waterways.
Paul Szmal: Yeah, there's always that balance between trying to get the maximum yield out of a particular piece of land and trying to protect nutrients and sediments from running out of it. That really doesn't benefit anybody in the long run.
Adam Effler: You know, I would say that some of the better stewards with regards to water quality and conservation agriculture, you know, they have identified the value of protecting water quality, right, especially if they raise livestock and are sourcing water for their livestock from adjacent water bodies like Owasco Lake. And so the reality is that most farmers and producers have a vested interest and have worked the land for many years, a vested interest in protecting their environment. Really, it's important for us as a community to do what we can to provide the resources and the support for them to work towards that end. And I would say, you know, in that vein, I always encourage producers who are interested in gaining such support to connect with their soil and water conservation districts with jurisdiction, so that their county-based districts, as well as Cornell Cooperative Extension organizations. They are fantastic. They have done a great deal of work, certainly in recent history, to advance agricultural conservation and really, you know, are impressive in terms of their success in working with producers to advance their practices.
Paul Szmal: And if you want to find out more about the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council itself, check out their website, which is olwmc.org, olwmc.org. Adam, always a pleasure. Thank you, sir.
Adam Effler: It was a pleasure speaking with you, Paul. You're very welcome. Thank you.
