Niagara County Soil & Water Cons

Since 1954, the Niagara County Soil and Water Conservation District has been providing services to local area farmers, landowners and municipalities. Conveniently located on the Niagara County Fair Grounds, we are teamed up with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Cornell Cooperative Extension to function as a local source of information, technical assistance, education and leadership necessary for the conservation and wise use of Niagara County’s natural resources.

On November 3rd, 2004, the Niagara County Soil and Water Conservation District celebrated its 50th anniversary with all who agree that our environment is a fragile but important part of our county and lives worth conserving for future generations.

Our office is engaged year round with activities consisting of:

Agricultural Assistance
Drainage Assistance
Soil Conservation
Water Quality Monitoring
Conservation Education
Wildlife Habitat Improvement
Pond Site Analyses & Stocking
Tree Seedling Sales

AGRICULTURAL ASSISTANCE

Agricultural Assistance is one of the main activities that the Soil and Water Conservation District is engaged in. With grants funded by N.Y.S. and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, we are able to assist farmers with the implementation of best management practices specifically aimed at controlling point and non-point source pollution.

USDA ASSISTANCE

The Soil and Water Conservation District works in partnership with local farmers, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Farm Service Agency to deliver United States Department of Agriculture Farm Bill Programs. The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) have been two successful ventures in Niagara County. With district assistance, the WRP program provides landowners the opportunity to establish long- term conservation and wildlife practices on their property. The EQIP program provides farmers with a voluntary conservation program that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality nation wide. This is accomplished by providing technical assistance, installation and implementation of structural and non-structural management practices.

PONDS

Since its inception, the Soil and Water Conservation district has assisted in the development and management of countless ponds within Niagara County. Ponds can be constructed for fish production, fire protection, water for livestock and landscape improvement. Whatever the reason, it is important to have a good understanding of the factors that will make the difference between a beautiful pond and a big empty hole. Prior to construction, the district will evaluate the proposed pond location, water sources, soils and overflow drainage features to assure that a functioning pond is the end result. Private ponds have long been a tradition in American Culture. They beautify our landscape and are essential to aquatic wildlife enhancement.

POND STOCKING & TREE SALES.

The Soil and Water Conservation District provides a local link to nurseries and fisheries for the purchase of fish and seedlings. Do you need to stock that new pond you just built? Every summer, our office takes orders for its annual fish stocking program. Whether your fish needs are for aquatic weed control, ecosystem enhancement, or recreational fishing, the annual program is sure to fit your every need.

We also offer an annual sale of deciduous and evergreen tree seedlings and transplants, shrubs, ground covers and grasses to help assist landowners with the establishment of conservation areas and for and restoration of natural resources. Each spring, we package and distribute approximately 85,000 seedlings to provide landowners with economical plant materials for windbreaks, to establish wildlife food and habitat areas, for reforestation and to prevent soil erosion.

NO-TILL DRILL

A no-till drill is maintained and operated by our office, which is used for the establishment of wildlife habitat in the county. The drill is specially designed to install warm season and cool season grasses for enhancing our natural wildlife areas. The goal of grassland establishment is to provide habitat for the natural propagation of pheasants to expand the wild turkey range and populations, while also benefiting other grassland birds like the bluebird, bobolink and meadowlark, and other birds of concern in New York State. Many other species of wildlife will benefit from this type of wildlife restoration as well.

AGRICULTURAL ASSESSMENTS & MAP ASSISTANCE

Our office is responsible for completing soil group worksheets for landowners applying for agricultural assessments. Eligible landowners can receive a reduction in the amount of their property tax bills for land in agriculture production by obtaining a reassessment of the property based on the defined value of the soils located at the property. The Niagara County Soil and Water Conservation District can assist with a variety of natural resource information. We are your one stop repository for Niagara County Flood Insurance Rate Maps, New York State and Federal Wetland maps, Soil Survey maps and Topographical Quadrangles. Our office is equipped with the most up to date aerial photography as well as the latest Geographical Information System (GIS) software and data, making natural resource planning and maps user friendly for all who are involved.

CONSERVATION EDUCATION

Our office is involved in many ways to promote conservation education - through seminars, newsletters, and two major educational events sponsored each year. For 35 years the Victor Fitchlee Conservation Education Park in Gasport has been the pristine location for the annual Environmental Conservation Field Days. During this 2-day event for 5th and 6th grade students, classes rotate through the park to learn about topics ranging from water quality, forestry, conservation law and outdoor hobbies. In 2001, the District was presented the U.S.E.P.A Region 2 Environmental Quality Award for this valuable educational program that enriches the lives of over 1000 students every year.

The Envirothon, an outdoor environmental competition for high school students, began in 1990. Working as a team to complete several exams, the Envirothon challenges students’ knowledge of soils, aquatics, forestry, wildlife and current issues, while enhancing their environmental awareness. Local winning teams move on to the State and National competitions to compete for prizes and scholarships. Teaching about our natural resources, and giving our children an understanding and appreciation of their environment is the best way to ensure our community will flourish for generations.

DRAINAGE ASSISTANCE

The Soil and Water Conservation District provides surface and sub-surface drainage assistance to all Niagara County residents, farmers and municipalities. We have assisted farmers with the survey, stakeout and design of countless tile systems which increase product yield and make it a little easier to be a producer in today’s difficult farming environment. Our office has also assisted municipalities by designing tile systems, ditches and diversions for golf course, baseball fields and numerous roads and waterways located within Niagara County.

A hydro-seeder is maintained and operated by our office and is available to all municipalities. Any areas disturbed by ditching and drainage projects as well as sensitive environmental areas along the lake and creeks that have the potential to produce sediment-laden runoff can be hydro-seeded to quickly establish vegetation and reduce soil erosion. Highly erodible lands, such as the sledding hill at Bonds lake, and acres of lands along local watercourses and the lake have been hydro-seeded to reduce soil erosion, to stabilize banks and to protect water quality.

WATER QUALITY MONITORING & STREAMBANK STABILIZATION

Streambank erosion causes property loss and carries endless amounts of soil into our streams. It pollutes our water and results in the degradation of aquatic habitat and diminished navigability of our waterway. Our office has been very active completing structural and non-structural measures designed to protect critically eroding streambanks within Niagara County.

In 2003, we partnered with Niagara County Department of Planning, Town of Newfane, Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Environmental Conservation to protect the water and aquatic life of Eighteen Mile Creek. The Eighteen Mile Creek Restoration Project was designed to improve water quality and fish habitat in the creek, and make fishing a safer and more enjoyable activity. A quarter mile stretch of the creek just below Burt Dam was restored and the creek banks stabilized. Utilizing innovative techniques, the project was successful in removing debris, improving existing hiking trails, stabilizing eroded stream banks, improving fish habitat and reducing pollution.

Eighteen Mile Creek has been designated as an Area of Concern (AOC) by the International Joint Commission under the U.S.-Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The Niagara County Soil and Water Conservation District serves as the lead agency for the Remedial Action Plan Coordination and Management designed to de-list Eighteen Mile Creek as an AOC. This is being accomplished through strategic management of present and future creek remediation activities. One way this is being accomplished is through a county wide water quality monitoring program. The program is designed to collect water quality data to provide scientific evidence of water quality impairments to local areas of concern, which will enhance data used to prioritize local programs and update the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Priority Waterbodies List.

The Niagara County Soil and Water District is working for you and the environment.

For more information on all district programs, Contact us at 716-434-4949.