Watershed program underway

The Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District has launched a 12-month dedicated Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) outreach program in the Black Creek and Little Black Creek watersheds. This area includes all or portions of Riga, Churchville, Wheatland, Clifton, Chili, Ogden and Sweden. The watersheds have been identified as high priority due to the number of farms and existing water quality impacts that may be related to agricultural activities. Black Creek is known to have impaired aquatic life functions due to excessive levels of phosphorus resulting from agricultural and municipal sources. Little Black Creek is known to have impaired aquatic life functions, with urban and agricultural runoff suspected as sources.

The voluntary, five-tiered AEM program is open to all farmers and agricultural landowners regardless of location in the country. Tier 1 and Tier 2 are farm assessments. Tier 3 is a planning phase, and can include project-specific planning, nutrient management planning, and whole farm planning. Tier 4 is the implementation phase, and Tier 5 is an evaluation phase.

Farmers and owners of agricultural land in these watersheds will receive AEM information and an assessment form by mail. Recipients are encouraged to review the information and return the assessment form to the Soil & Water District office. Participation will allow the district to document the importance of agriculture in the county and compete more effectively for funds that will lead to local water quality improvement projects.

For information about the AEM program, call Frances Tucker, planning technician, at 473-2120, ext. 3, or visit the AEM website at: www.agmkt.state.ny.us/SoilWater/AEM/AEM.html.