Upper Susquehanna Coalition Honored for Work in Agriculture

Submitted By: Troy Bishopp
Madison County SWCD

Albany, NY—Earth Day 2021 received a helping hand from your family of New York and Pennsylvania Soil and Water Conservation Districts. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos once again recognized the USC Coalition of 22 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (18 in NY and 4 in PA) who work within the headwaters of the Susquehanna River as a recipient of the 17th annual Environmental Excellence Award. “This year’s winners of the 17th annual Environmental Excellence Award are committed to reducing energy use, combating climate change, and implementing environmentally sustainable practices that support economic growth,” said Commissioner Seggos.

DEC established the Environmental Excellence Awards program in 2004 which recognizes those who are implementing innovative, sustainable actions or working in creative partnerships to improve and protect New York State’s environment and contribute to a healthier economy. Successful candidates  demonstrate significant and measurable environmental, economic and social benefits as a result of new and unique projects or programs that go beyond standard techniques or regulatory requirements.

The organization was recognized for its work with farmers and ongoing implementation of best management practices (BMPs) in agriculture, flood plain management and wildlife/habitat restoration. Using the Coalition’s suite of water quality improvement options in 2018 to reduce and prevent pollution in local waterways within 18 New York counties, the program has implemented over 200 acres of riparian buffer, more than 12 acres of wetland, and 440 acres of rotational grazing.

“Within our USC Water Quality Program, we have accelerated implementation of riparian forest buffers, rotational grazing, and wetland restoration on agricultural land throughout the watershed by filling gaps in existing programs, as one program is often not sufficient to fund water quality and habitat restoration projects,” said USC Watershed Coordinator & Tioga County SWCD District Manager, Wendy Walsh.

“Many thanks for all that you do and a big congratulations to the entire Upper Susquehanna Coalition Team,” said Jim Tierney, NYSDEC Deputy
Commissioner for Water Resources. The recent trifecta recognition bolsters the effort to work with the many stakeholders concerned with water quality. The Upper Susquehanna Coalition’s Stream Team Flood Response Training Program was honored in 2015 with the Environmental Excellence Award and the Upper
Susquehanna Wetland Coalition’s (USC) Wetland Program was awarded in 2014, as an outstanding model of collaboration for wetland protection and
restoration.

Published in Lee Newspapers