Nine Key Element Watershed Plan Assessment Form Checklist

Nine Key Element Watershed Plan Assessment Form Checklist
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Water is responsible for
reviewing and approving watershed plans to ensure the plans meet the Nine Key Elements
established by the USEPA. This form is to be completed by NYSDEC staff to ensure each of the
Nine Key Elements are addressed in plans that are designated as State Approved Plans.
Watershed plan title:
Black River Nine Element Watershed Management Plan
Pollutant(s) addressed by
plan:
Prepared by:
Phosphorus, Nitrogen and sediment

Emily Sheridan; Eastern Great Lakes Watershed
Coordinator. NYSDEC Great Lakes Program.
Submitted by:
Emily Sheridan
Reviewer 1:
Karen Stainbrook
Reviewer 2:
Cameron Ross
Addresses watershed with an existing TMDL

Update to previously approved plan
X
New plan
Comments:
Watershed plan is approved as a State Approved Nine Key Element Watershed Plan
Date Approved: ___6/3/2016_________

Not approved. Comment letter sent. Date: _____________
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Directions to the reviewer

For each item on the form, indicate if the item is present. If an item is not applicable, indicate
N/A and explain in the comments section. Where possible, indicate the page number or section
in the plan where the item is found. Each of the nine key elements must be satisfactorily
addressed for the plan to receive approval. The reviewer is directed to the Handbook for
Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect our Waters (USEPA Office of Water
Nonpoint Source Control Branch, 2008; EPA 841-B-08-002) to assist in determining if each
element is adequately addressed. Additional comments or concerns can also be included in the
comments sections.
Section 1. Qualifications of the plan preparer(s)

Refer to Summary of Qualifications form
Qualifications of plan preparers
Item present
(Y/N/NA)
Page or
section
number
1. Was a form submitted?

2. Preparers qualifications adequate to complete plan tasks?
Comments:
Y
Y
NA
NA
Section 2. Nine Elements Checklist
Element A. Causes/Sources of Pollution Identified

Identification of the causes and sources or groups of similar sources
Item present Page or
that will need to be controlled to achieve the load reductions estimated
(Y/N/NA)
section
in the watershed plan.
number
2. Pollutant(s) to be addressed by watershed plan are clearly
Y
Y
Pg. 16
stated?
2. Are sources of pollution identified, mapped and described? Are
Y*
Y*
Pg. 15-16
causes identified?
3. Are loads from identified sources quantified?
Y**
Y**
Pg. 18-19
4. Does plan state water quality goal or target?
Y
Y
Pg. 17
5. Are there any sub-watershed areas? If so, are the sources
Y
Y
Pg. 18
broken down to the sub-watershed level?
6. Are data sources indicated? Are estimates and assumptions
Y**
Y
NA
reasonable?
Comments:
*reference to Part 1, Section 3 (pgs. 77-92) of the Black River Watershed Management Plan. No map
of sources included.
**reference to Section 8.9 of the Black River Watershed Management Plan
(http://www.tughill.org/projects/black-river-projects/watershed-initiative/)
BlackRiverNineElementWatershedManagementPlan
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Element B. Expected Load Reductions for Solutions Identified

Estimate of the load reductions expected for the management
measures described under Element C.
Item present
Y/N/NA
Page or
section
number
1. Are expected load reductions within the accepted range to

Y*
Y*
Pg. 17
ensure water quality standards and/or other goals will be achieved
(see guidance)?
2. Are expected load reductions linked to a pollution cause/source
Y
Y
Pg. 21-28
identified in Element A?
3. Is the complexity of modeling used appropriate for the watershed Y
Y
Pg.17
characteristics, the scale and complexity of the impairment, and the
extent of water quality data identified in Element A?
4. Does the plan explain why the BMPs were selected? Will the
Y**
Y**
Pg. 28
BMPs described in the plan effectively achieve load reductions?
Pg. 24-28
5. Are estimates, assumptions, and other data used in the analysis
Y
Y
reasonable?
Comments:
* It is unclear if a loading target per area will be an effect measure.
**Lower Black River did not meet target threshold water quality goal, however, this may within the
margin of error and plan states that additional projects may be identified.
Element C. Nonpoint Source Management Measures Identified

A description of the NPS management measures that will be
implemented to achieve the load reductions estimated in Element B
and identification of the critical areas for implementation.
1. Does the plan list and describe BMPs that will address the
causes/sources of pollution identified in Element A?
2. Have critical and priority areas been identified? Is the
methodology for identifying critical and priority areas explained?
3. Is the rationale given for the selection of BMPs? Will the BMPs
described in the plan effectively achieve load reductions?
4. Are BMPs applicable to the pollutant causes and sources?
Item
Present
(Y/N/NA)
Page or
section
number
Pg. 20-28
Pg. 18-20
Pg. 20-28
Pg. 20-28
5. In selecting and siting the BMPs at the sub-watershed level, are

the estimates, assumptions and other data used in this analysis
technically sound?
Comments:
Pg. 20-28
Element D. Technical and Financial Assistance

An estimate of the amounts of technical and/or financial assistance
needed, associated costs, and/or the sources and parties that will be
relied upon to implement this plan.
1. Estimate of Technical Assistance Needed
a. Are potential sources of technical assistance included?
b. Does the watershed plan describe the anticipated
involvement of assisting agencies, watershed groups or
volunteers?
c. Are additional technical assistance needs identified?
2. Estimate of Financial Assistance Needed
Item
present
(Y/N/NA)
Page or
section
number
Y
Y
Y
Y
Pg. 29
Pg. 29
NA
NA
NA
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a. Is a detailed cost estimate included?

b. Does the cost estimate include a reasonable estimate of all
planning and implementation costs?
c. Are potential funding sources included?
Comments:
Y
Y
Y
Y
Pg. 29-30
Pg. 29-30
Pg. 30
Element E. Education/Outreach
An information/education component that will be used to enhance
public understanding of the project and encourage their early and
continued participation.
1. Does the watershed plan identify relevant stakeholders?
2. Does the watershed plan include methods to inform and engage
stakeholders and landowners in continued participation and
implementation?
3. Were stakeholders involved in development of the plan? Does
the plan provide describe the stakeholders? Do the stakeholders
referenced in the plan seem appropriate for the objectives of the
watershed plan?
4. Does the watershed plan identify potential partners who may be
involved in implementation?
5. Do the education components emphasize the need to achieve
water quality standards?
6. Does the education components prepare stakeholders for
continued proper operation and maintenance of the BMPs after the
project is completed?
Comments:
Item present
(Y/N/NA)
Page or
section
number
Y
Y
Y
Y
Pg. 7
Pg. 8
Pg. 7
Pg. 8
Pg. 8
Pg. 8
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Element F. Implementation Schedule

A schedule for implementing nonpoint source management measures
identified in this plan that is reasonably expeditious.
Item present
(Y/N/NA)
Page or
section
number
1. Does the schedule/timeline present projected dates for the

Y*
Y*
Pg. 28-29
development and implementation of the actions needed to meet the
Pg. 24-28
goals of the watershed plan?
2. Is the schedule appropriate based on the complexity of the
Y
Y
Pg. 28-29
impact and the size of the watershed?
3. Does plan schedule include when plan will be reviewed and
Y
Y
Pg. 31
updated?
Comments:
* Lower Black River did not meet target threshold water quality goal, however, this may within the
margin of error and plan states that additional projects may be identified.
Element G. Milestones Identified

A description of interim, measurable milestones for determining
whether nonpoint source management measures or other control
actions are being implemented.
1. Are the identified milestones measurable and attainable?
2. Does the watershed plan identify incremental milestones
with anticipated completion dates?
3. Does the watershed plan include progress evaluations and
possible course corrections as needed?
4. Are the milestones appropriately linked with the proposed
schedule in Element F?
Comments:
Item present
(Y/N/NA)
Page or
section
number
Y
Y
Y
Y
Pg. 31-32
Pg. 31-32
Pg. 31
Pg. 31
Element H. Criteria to Evaluate Load Reductions

A set of criteria that will be used to determine whether loading
reductions are being achieved over time and substantial progress is
(Y/N/NA)
section
being made towards attaining water quality standards.
number
1. Are criteria measureable and quantifiable?
Y
Y
Pg. 31-32
2. Do the proposed criteria effectively measure progress towards
Y
Y
Pg. 31-32
the load reduction goal?
3. Are the types of data to be collected identified?
Y*
Y
Pg. 32-33
4. Does the watershed plan include a review process to determine
Y
Y
Pg. 32
if anticipated reductions are being met?
5. Is there a commitment to adaptive management in the watershed Y
Y
Pg. 31
plan?
6. Does plan include mechanism to track and report progress on
Y
Y
Pg. 31
BMP implementation to estimate progress toward achieving
reduction targets; and to assist with updates to plan?
Comments:
* Plan does not reference specific parameters collected by DEC monitoring program that will be used
to evaluate progress; however, the program collects ambient water quality parameters that could be
used to evaluate progress overtime.
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Element I. Monitoring
A monitoring component to evaluate the effectiveness of the
implementation efforts over time, measured against the criteria
(Y/N/NA)
section
established under Element H.
number
1. Explanation of how monitoring fits into Plan
Y
Pg. 32
a. Does the plan describe how monitoring will effectively
Y*
Pg. 32
measure the evaluation criteria identified in Element H?
b. Does the watershed plan include a routine reporting element Y
in which monitoring results are presented?
2. Monitoring Methods
a. Are the parameters appropriate?
Y
b. Is the number of sites adequate?
Y
c. Is the frequency of sampling adequate?
Y
d. Is the monitoring tied to a quality assurance plan?
Y
Comments:
*Plan does not reference specific parameters collected by DEC monitoring program that will be used to
evaluate progress; however, the program collects ambient water quality parameters that could be used
to evaluate progress overtime.
Section 3. Additional documentation

Documentation and References
Additional information and documentation preferred to be included in
the 9 element plan by the Department
Item present
(Y/N/NA)
1. Does the plan include a copy or link to a data monitoring quality

assurance project plan (QAPP)? Was the QAPP approved by
NYS DEC or other state or federal agency?
N*
2. Does the plan include a copy or link to an electronic copy of a

modeling QAPP? Was the QAPP approved by NYS DEC or
other state or federal agency?
3. If the plan referenced other reports or plans as the basis for

any of the elements in Section 2, did the plan preparers provide
links to electronic copies or paper copies?
4. Electronic filing. Does the plan indicate that data is stored and
available? Geospatial data is stored in a geodatabase? Data is
stored in an electronic editable format? Is the data readily
available?
Comments:
*QAPPs completed by DEC water quality monitoring programs
NA
Page or
section
number
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Appendix B. Summary of Qualifications

Watershed plan preparers should attach resumes and complete the qualifications form
(Appendix B) to describe their experience with the models used in the development of the
watershed plan and other experience relevant to the development of the watershed plan to
demonstrate that the plan was thoughtfully developed.
Watershed plan title:
Prepared by:
Black River Nine Element Plan: Reducing

Phosphorus, Nitrogen, and Sediment Loading in
Priority Sub-watersheds
Emily Sheridan; Eastern Great Lakes Watershed
Coordinator. NYSDEC Great Lakes Program.
Submitted by:
Emily Sheridan
Date plan submitted:

Email contact:
3/15/2016
Emily.sheridan@dec.ny.gov
Phone:
(315)481-6376
Complete where applicable.

Role
Name
Modeling
Completed by Bergmann and Associates
Best Management
Practices
Emily Sheridan
Emily Sheridan in partnership with Tug Hill
Commission
Completed by Macarewicz et al and DEC RIBS
program
Tug Hill commission, Jefferson and Lewis County
SWCD, Jefferson and Lewis County WQCC, City of
Watertown
Outreach
Monitoring
Partnerships
QAPP preparation
DEC Water Quality Monitoring programs
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BlackRiver
NineElementWatershedManagementPlan:
ReducingPhosphorus,Nitrogen,andSediment
LoadinginPrioritySubWatersheds
ViewofFultonChainofLakes,theheadwatersoftheBlackRiver,fromthesummitofRockyMtn.PhotobyEmilySheridan.
DevelopedbytheNewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation,incooperationwiththe
TugHillCommissionandJeffersonandLewisCountySoilandWaterConservationDistrictsandWater
QualityCoordinatingCommittees,tomeetNYSDECrequirementsforNineElementWatershed
ManagementPlans.
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TableofContentsPage#
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
Executivesummary4
Purpose/Background5
Publicparticipationandpublicinputprocess7
a. Agenciesandorganizations
b. Descriptionofhowstakeholderswereengagedandwillbeengaged
Watersheddescription9
a. Studyarea
b. Soils
c. Hydrology
d. Landuse
e. Demographics
f. Recreation
Waterqualitycondition12
a. Historicalconditions/previousstudies
i. Biologicalsurveys
ii. TMDLs
iii. Watershedplans
iv. LTCP
v. Consentorders
vi. Sewerserviceareas&septicsystems
b. Presentconditions
Designatedanddesireduses15
a. Designatedusesinthewatershed&status(i.e.,met,impairedorthreatened)
b. Desiredusesinwatershed
Waterqualitygoalsandobjectives15
a. Sourcesofimpairmentsandthreatstodesignateduses
b. Causesofimpairmentsandthreats
c. Pollutantsaddressedbyplan
d. Quantifypollutantsourceloadsinwatershed
e. Waterqualitygoalortarget
f. Expectedloadreductionsneededtomeetwaterqualitygoalortarget
Priorityareaswithinwatershed18
a. Howpriority/criticalareasweredetermined
ProposedBMPs20
a. Bestmanagementpractice(BMPs)recommendations
b. RationalefortheselectionofrecommendedBMPs
c. Descriptionandperformance(reductionofpollutant)ofrecommendedBMPs
ImplementationPlan28
a. Actionplanforshorttermobjectives
b. Actionplanforintermediateobjectives
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c. Actionplanforlongtermobjectives
d. Technicalandfinancialassistance
i. Sourcesoftechnicalassistance
ii. Estimateoffinancialassistanceneeded
iii. Potentialfundingsourcesforactionplanitems
e. Evaluationofplanandplanupdates
f. Evaluationoftheimplementationactions
i. Mechanismtotrackimplementationactions
ii. Qualitativeevaluationcriteria
iii. Quantitativeevaluationcriteria
iv. Monitoringplan
XI.
References,MapsandDataSources33
AppendixI.AgBMPloadreductionandcostestimates
AppendixII.FundingOpportunities
Evaluationofaddressingminimum9elementsrequiredbyEPA:
Documentsection
9Eaddressed
ExecutiveSummary
Purpose/Background
Publicparticipation&publicinputprocess
Watersheddescription
Waterqualitycondition
Designatedanddesireduses
Waterqualitygoalsandobjectives
Priorityareaswithinwatershed
ProposedBMPs
Implementationplan
Evaluationofplanandplanupdates
N/A
N/A
ElementE
**neededforElementA
**neededforElementA
ElementA
ElementA,B
ElementC
ElementB,C
ElementD,F
ElementF
4
57
78
912
1215
15
1518
1819
2027
28
31
Evaluationofimplementationactions
ElementG,H,I
3133
References,MapsandDatasources
**neededforElementA,B,C,H,I
33
Page#
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I.ExecutiveSummary
TheBlackRiverWatershed,likemanyotherGreatLakeswatersheds,attractedearlyuseandeventual
settlementandindustrializationduetoitsabundantnaturalandrecreationalresources,suchasforests,
fastflowingwaters,qualitytimber,andproductiveagriculturallands.Asdevelopmentand
industrializationincreasedthroughthe1900s,thewaterqualityandnaturalresourcesofthewatershed
becameincreasinglydegraded.In1892,theAdirondackForestPreservewascreated,whichincludedthe
SoutheastreachoftheupperBlackRiverwatershed,toprotectthewaterandrecreationresourcesof
NewYorkState,andtheAdirondackParkAgencywaschargedwithregulatingtheparkasforeverwild.
Inthe1960sand1970s,growinginterestinprotectingtheenvironmentandBlackRiverwatershed
resourcesledtocitizensbecomingincreasinglyinterestedinreducingpastimpactscausedbyindustry
andotherresourceuse,toensurethebenefitsofdrinkingwater,recreationalresources,andprotection
ofhumanhealth.Tocontinueoneffortstorestoreandremediatepastindustrialactivities,protect
resourcestoensuretheirbenefitsaresustained,restoredegradedfishandwildlifehabitats,and
enhancewaterqualityandnaturalresourcesforbeneficialusessuchasdrinkingwaterandrecreation,
ongoing,measurablemanagementthroughcollaborationamongstakeholdersandcommunitymembers
isneeded.In2010aBlackRiverWatershedManagementPlan(thePlan)wasdeveloped,withsupport
fromtheNYSDepartmentofStateandotherpartners,whichrecommendsmanagementactionsto
achievethesegoalsthroughoutthewatershed.ThisdocumentservesasanupdatetothePlaninorder
tomakeitconsistentwiththerequirementstobeapprovedbyNYSDECasanineelementwatershed
plan.ThisdocumentincorporatestheninekeyelementsidentifiedbyEPA:
ElementA.Identificationofcausesofimpairmentsandpollutionsourcesorgroupsofsimilar
sourcesthatneedtobecontrolledtoachieveneededloadreductionsandanyothergoalsidentifiedin
thewatershedplan.
ElementB.Estimatesofloadreductionsexpectedfrommanagementmeasures.
ElementC.Descriptionofnonpointsourcemanagementmeasuresthatneedtobeimplemented
andcriticalareasinwhichtheyneedtobeimplemented.
ElementD.Estimateoftheamountoftechnicalandfinancialassistanceneeded,associatedcosts,
and/orsourcesofauthoritiesthatwillbereliedontoimplementplan.
ElementE.Informationandeducationcomponentusedtoenhancepublicunderstandingofthe
projectandencouragetheirearlyandcontinuedparticipationinselecting/designingandimplementing
thenonpointsourcemanagementmeasuresthatwillbeimplemented.
ElementF.Scheduleforimplementingplanthatisreasonablyexpeditious.
ElementG.DescriptionofInterimmeasurablemilestones
ElementH.Setofcriteriathatcanbeusedtodeterminewhetherloadingreductionsarebeing
achievedovertimeandsubstantialprogressisbeingmadetowardattainingwaterqualitystandards.
ElementI.Monitoringcomponenttoevaluateeffectivenessofimplementationeffortsovertime

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Bymeetingtheseminimum9elements,BlackRiverWatershedmanagementplanimplementation
effortswillbestrengthened,andprovidemorespecific,measurableactionsandtrackingmechanismsto
ensureprogressisbeingmade.
II.Purpose/Background
Aspartofaninitiativetoenhancethesocial,economic,andenvironmentalcharacteroftheBlackRiver
Watershed,theNewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation(DEC),TugHillCommission,
theTownofGreig,andtheLewisCountySoilandWaterConservationDistrict,developedtheBlackRiver
WatershedManagementPlan(thePlan)1,groundwaterassessment,andsocioeconomic
characterizationin2010.TheBlackRiverWatershedManagementPlan(thePlan)developmentwas
fundedbytheNYSDepartmentofStateandcontractedthroughBergmannandAssociatesandis
availableonline:http://www.tughill.org/projects/blackriverprojects/watershedinitiative/.
IndevelopingthePlan,BergmannandAssociatesfollowedtheNewYorkStateDepartmentofStates
(DOS)WatershedManagementPlanGuidebook.2Sincecompletion,partnershaveleveragedstate
fundingandimplementedprojectsthatachieverecommendationsestablishedwithinthePlan,including
redevelopmentofabandonedproperties,improvingstormwatermanagement,updatingwastewater
treatmentfacilities,managingfloodplains,reducingagriculturalnonpointsourcepollution,improving
andmarketingrecreationalopportunities,andmanagingandcontrollinginvasivespecies.Partnershave
engagedadditionalstakeholdersandstrengthenedasenseofprideforthenaturalresourcesofthe
region.WithitsheadwaterslocatedintheAdirondackForestPreserve,anditsdrainagethroughseven
ecozonesandintoLakeOntario,theBlackRiverisamodelofhowcommunitiesinanareaof1.2million
acrescanworktogethertosustainthemanybeneficialusesthatawatershedprovides.Throughthe
initiative,communitieshavebeenabletoenjoyqualitydrinkingwater,waterdependentrecreational
activitiessuchasfishing,boating,andswimming,andasuccessfulagriculturaleconomythatproduces
dairyandmaplesyrup.ThePlanensuresthatdecisionmakingisguidedbysoundscience,stakeholders
areeducatedandengaged,andsocial,economic,andenvironmentalgoalsarebalanced.
ThisinitiativeappliedanecosystembasedmanagementapproachasrecommendedbytheNewYork
StateOceanandGreatLakesEcosystemConservationActin20063,andconsistentwiththe
recommendationsforanecosystemapproachwithinthe2012GreatLakesWaterQualityAgreement.4
ThePlanalsoachievesgoalsfortheBlackRiverWatershedasidentifiedbytheLakeOntarioLakewide
ActionandManagementPlan.5TheLAMPBiodiversityConservationStrategy6identifiedtheBlackRiver
asapriorityactionsiteforadvancingriparianbufferstoprotecthabitatfornativespecies,suchaslake
Sturgeon.
PopulationincreasesintheCityofWatertownandsurroundingareaweredocumentedinthe2010U.S.
Census7andledtotheareabeingdesignatedasurbanizedin2013.Watertownandsurroundingareas
arenowbeingrequiredtoregulatemunicipalseparatestormwatersewersystems(MS4s).andcomply
withminimumcontrolmeasuresestablishedbytheDECstormwaterpermittingprogram.9Progress
towardsmeetingtheserequirementshaveincludedsecuringagranttosupporteducationandoutreach,
theappointmentofJeffersonCountySoilandWaterConservationDistrict11asthestormwaterprogram
coordinator,theformationoftheJeffersonCountyStormwaterCoalition,developmentoftheJefferson
CountyStormWaterCoalitionwebsite12andoutfallmapping.Themunicipalitieswerealsorecently
awardedaDECWaterQualityImprovementGrant13in2015todevelopastormwatermanagement

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plan,andhaveleveragedaUSForestServiceGreatLakesRestorationInitiative14Grantin2015toinstall
greeninfrastructureandplanttreesinMS4communities.
TheCityofWatertownssewagetreatmentplant15iscurrentlyintheprocessofundergoing
improvementsinwastewatertreatmentoperationstocomplywithnewrequirementsoftheFederal
CleanWaterAct.16Underthenewrequirements,wastewatertreatedwithchlorinewillbede
chlorinatedtoreducedischargestotheenvironment.Fundingfortheprojectisprimarilythroughcity
taxeswithsomestatefunding.Thefacilityincludesananaerobicdigesterthatwasinstalledinthe
1960s,whichreducesthevolumeofsolidwastedisposedofattheregionslandfill,savesmoneyby
reducingtheamountofoilandfuelthatwaspreviouslyusedtopowerthewastewatertreatment
facilities,andreducesgreenhousegasemissions.In2013,theCitycompletedastudyanddesignfor
modificationstoitssludgedisposalsystemwithfundingfromtheNewYorkStateEnergyResearchand
DevelopmentAuthority(NYSERDA)17.TheSludgeDisposalModificationwouldeliminatesewagesludge
incineration,installmethanegasenginestorunlargepumps,enhanceandincreasethedigester
processesforproperdisposalofgrowingwastes.Wastewatertreatmentupgradesarerecommendedby
thePlan,andstateprogramscontinuetoidentifyissueswithwastewatertreatmentandprovide
resourcestosupportimprovementstowastewatermanagementwithinthewatershed.
TheBlackRiverisanimportantdrinkingwaterresourcefortheCityofWatertownandsurrounding
areas,includingFortDrum,andtheCityswatertreatmentplant18ensurescleandrinkingwaterfor
approximately65,000peopleintheCityandsurroundingarea,accordingtoinformationfromtheCityof
Watertown.TheDECsprotectionofwatersprogram19isaregulatorymechanismtoensurethat
drinkingwaterandrecreationalresourcesareprotected.TheDECBlackRiverPriorityWaterbodiesList36
identifiesthesectionoftheBlackRiverfromtheWatertownwatertreatmentplanttoBlackRiverVillage
asaclassAwaterwaysupportingdrinkingwateruse.Theprioritywaterbodieslistalsoidentifiesthis
classAsectionasbeingstressedfromsewageandonsitesepticsystems,municipalrunoff,agricultural
runoff,hydrologicfluctuationsduetodammingforhydroelectricfacilities,andnaturalerosion.Ongoing
effortsandbroadcollaborativeactionsareneededtoprotectandsustainthisimportantdrinkingwater
resource.
AsignificantmajorityoftheBlackRiverlieswithinLewisCounty.LewisCountyisapremierlocationfor
dairyfarming,andmuchoftheBlackRiverValleywithinthiscountyisintensivelyfarmed.Thereare14
ConcentratedAnimalFeedingOperations(CAFOs)20withinthewatershedthatareregulatedbythe
NYSDECandarerequiredtohaveaComprehensiveNutrientManagementPlan.TheJefferson,Oneida,
HerkimerandLewisCountySoilandWaterConservationDistricts21workwithfarmersthroughoutthe
watershedtopromoteAgriculturalEnvironmentalManagement22andtheimplementationof
AgriculturalBestManagementPracticesaccordingtonationalconservationpracticestandards23on
countyfarms.SoilandWaterConservationDistrictsthroughoutthestateassistfarmerswithcomplying
withnecessaryregulationsandalsoassistvoluntarylandownerswithidentifyingandimplementing
AgriculturalBMPs.Forexample,in2013,LewisCountySWCDhad21AEMfarmlocations.
PastindustrialcontaminationimpactsthegroundwaterresourcesandhabitatoftheBlackRiver
Watershedandongoingeffortstomaintainmomentumtowardscleanupeffortshavebeenaddressing
theseissues.TheEPASuperfund24programdesignatedaSuperfundsiteattheformerSt.RegisPaper
CompanyandCrownCleanersindustrialcomplexinHerrings,NYandhavedevelopedaRecordof
Decisionin2012forremediatingthesite.EPAbegansiteclearingactivitiesin2014andplansfor2015
includebuildingdemolitionandtheexcavationandremovalofcontaminatedsoils.EPAhascommitted

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$3.1milliondollarstofundthiscleanup.EPA,DECandNYSDept.ofHealtheffortsareunderwayto
assesstheBlackRiverPCBssuperfundsiteinCarthageandWestCarthage,NY.AdditionalDEC
RemediationatSewellsIslandandaDOSBrownfieldOpportunityAssessmentatLyonFallsisfurther
remediatingandenhancingsitesthathavebeendegradedandcontaminatedbypastindustrial
activities.
AtmosphericdepositionofmercuryandacidrainarecauseforconcernintheupperBlackRiver
Watersheds.Federalandstateinitiativestoreduceemissionsfromfossilfuelsthatcontributetothis
source,aswellasDEClimingofprioritylakesaffectedintheupperwatershedareaddressingthese
concerns.ANortheastAreaTMDL(TotalMaximumDailyLoad)isineffectfortheNortheasttominimize
mercuryloadstowatershedsofthenortheast.TheDepartmentofHealthhasadvisoriesforfish
consumptionduetothebioaccumulationofmercuryinfish.TheconsumptionadvisoriesinNYShave
improvedandin2014DOHchangedconsumptionrecommendationsto4mealspermonth.
InvasivespeciesthreatenthebiodiversityandwatershedhealthoftheBlackRiverWatershed.TheNew
YorkStateDECfundedSt.LawrenceEasternLakeOntarioandtheAdirondackParksPartnershipfor
RegionalInvasiveSpeciesManagement26workwithstakeholdersandimplementactionstomanage
invasivespecieswithintheBlackRiverWatershed.Ongoingeffortswillbeneededtoensurethatthe
ecologicalintegrityofthewatershedisnotcompromisedbyinvasivespecies.
WhiletheBlackRiverWatershedManagementPlanandcollaborativeeffortstoimplement
recommendationshavebeensuccessfulinleveragingstateandlocalfundingtopromotegoalsidentified
withinthePlan,additionalresourcesareneededtoensurethatwaterqualityandnaturalresourcesare
protectedandthatvaluabledrinkingwaterresourcesaresustainedforthebenefitofcommunities
throughoutthewatershed.Inordertobetterleveragefederalresources(includingCleanWaterAct
funding)fromtheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,stakeholdersandpartnerswithintheBlackRiver
WatershedareseekingtoaddthisaddendumtotheexistingBlackRiverWatershedManagementPlanin
ordertomeettheminimum9elementsrequiredbytheEPAforWatershedManagementPlans.27
Thedevelopment,stateapproval,andpartnersupportoftheaddendumdoesnotintendtorequireany
newregulatoryoversightwithinthewatershedcommunities.Theintentistoprovidemoretargeted,
measurableimplementationoftheexistingWatershedManagementPlanthroughitsuseinleveraging
federalEPAresources,anditssuccessfulimplementationiscontingentuponfundingleveraged,
communityandstakeholdersupport,localandregionalcapacity,andlandownerandcommunity
participation,whichwillbeencouraged,butnotrequired.
III.Publicparticipationandpublicinputprocess
a. Agenciesandorganizations
ThefollowingpartnersandstakeholderssupportedthedevelopmentoftheEPABlackRiverWatershed
ManagementPlantoreducesediment,phosphorusandnitrogenloadinginthewatershed(EPAplan),
andwillworkcollaborativelytoleveragenecessaryfunding,providetechnicalexpertise,andimplement
projects:
NYSTugHillCommission
P a g e |15
NYSDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation
LewisCountySoilandWaterConservationDistrict
JeffersonCountySoilandWaterConservationDistrict
CityofWatertown
JeffersonCountyStormWaterCoalition
DevelopmentAuthorityoftheNorthCountry
JeffersonCountyWaterQualityCoordinatingCommittee
LewisCountyWaterQualityCoordinatingCommittee
b. Descriptionofhowstakeholderswereengagedandwillbeengaged
Stakeholderoutreachactivitieswereundertakentogainsupportforthisplaninthedevelopment
process,includingsharinganddiscussingthedraftplanatJeffersonandLewisCountyWaterQuality
CoordinatingCommitteemeetings,sharingthedraftplanwithDOSWatershedManagement
Programstaff,workingwithlocalstakeholderstoidentifyadditionalstakeholderstoreachoutto,
andholdingameetingtodiscussthedraftEPA9elementplan.Anarticleconcerningthe
developmentoftheplanwasdisseminatedamongover400stakeholdersthatwereinvolvedinthe
developmentoftheoriginalplanandincludedmunicipalrepresentatives,codeenforcementofficials,
communityplanners,andotherinterestedcitizens.Furtheractivities,includingpresentingonthe
planattheannualBlackRiverWatershedconference,willbeundertakentogainfurthersupportfor
andcontributiontothedraftplan.Thefollowingactivitiesafterthestateapprovalprocesswill
furtherpromoteandsupportimplementationoftheplan:
JeffersonCountyandLewisCountySoilandWaterConservationDistricts,throughtheir
AgriculturalEnvironmentalManagementprogram,reachesouttoagriculturallandownersand
providestechnicalandfinancialsupporttoassistfarmerswithimplementingBMPs.SWCDs
alsohostanannualoutreachevent,theEnvirothon,whichengagesschoolsandlocal
communitiesinunderstandingandtakingactionstoreducewaterqualityandagriculturalissues.
TheBlackRiverWatershedConferenceisanannualpublicoutreachandengagement
eventhostedbytheTugHillCommission,thatprovidesupdates,news,andidentifies
stakeholderprioritiesfortheBlackRiverWatershed.TheBlackRiverWatershedManagement
Plan9elementaddendumwillbepresentedtostakeholdersatthe2016watershedconference
topromoteawarenessandsupportforimplementingactivitiesthatreducewaterqualityissues
inprioritysubwatersheds.TugHillCommissionsannualLocalGovernmentConference
additionallyprovidestrainingrelatingtopriorityenvironmentalandotherlocalissuesforthe
BlackRiverandotherareawatershedresidentsandmunicipalities,andwillprovideanother
venuetosharetheaddendumwithlocalstakeholdersandmunicipalities.
BlackRiverSteeringCommitteeincludesparticipationfromtheSWCDs,DOS,DEC,and
TugHillCommission,andidentifiespriorityactionsandfurtherengagesstakeholdersand
partnerstoencourageparticipationinidentifyingprioritiesandmeetinggoalsand
recommendationsoftheBlackRiverWatershedidentifiedinthePlan.Thesteeringcommittee
publishesanannualnewsletterthatprovidesupdatesonBlackRiverWatershedprojectsthat
implementrecommendationsoftheBlackRiverWatershedManagementPlan,promotes
stewardshipamongcommunitymembersandawarenessofemergingissuesinthebasin.The
P a g e |16
steeringcommitteewillpublishanarticleeducatingstakeholdersandthepublicaboutthe9
elementaddendum.
SewagePollutionRighttoknowlaw28,enactedin2013,createsawarenessamongthe
publicaboutsewagepollutionandwhereitisenteringwaterbodies.Thelawalsoaidsin
documentingwastewaterinfrastructureneeds.Thelawhelpsthepublicavoidcontactwith
waterbodiesthatarelikelytocontainbacteriathatcancauseillnesswhileboating,fishingor
swimming.
IV.Watersheddescription
Onpage3ofthePlan,anoverviewofthewatershedisprovided.Itidentifiesthewatershedas
drainingapproximately1.2millionacres,withitsheadwatersintheWesternAdirondackPark,a
stateforestpreserve,drainingnorthwestthroughtheTugHillPlateauandintoLakeOntario,the
easternmostGreatLake.
c. Studyarea
http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/48374.html
TheBlackRiverwatershed,HUC04150101,spans1.2millionacres,or1920square
miles,anddrainsintoEasternLakeOntario.Riversandstreamswithinthewatershed
includetheMooseRiver,BeaverRiver,IndependenceRiver,andDeerRiver.Majorlakes
withinthewatershedincludetheFultonChainofLakes,BigMooseLake,andWoodhull
Lake.Stillwaterreservoirisalsolocatedwithinthewatershed.Page5ofthePlan
identifiessubwatershedsoftheBlackRiver,usingHydrologicUnitCodes11,and
identifies19uniquesubwatersheds.
d. Soils
Onpage29,thePlanstatesthatthewatershedhas28differentsoilseries.The3major
soilseriesthatcomprise53%ofthebasinaretheAdamsseries(deep,excessively
P a g e |17
drained),theBecketseries(verydeep,welldrained),andthePotsdamseries(verydeep,
welldrained).AdditionalinformationonsoilswithintheBlackRiverwatershedcanbe
exploredontheNRCSWebSoilSurvey.29
e. Climate&Hydrology
Onpage31,Plancharacterizestheclimateofthewatershedashavinglong,coldwinters
andshortcoolsummers,andhasoneofthehighestprecipitationratesinNewYork
State.Theareacanreceiveanywherefromanaverageof100toover200inchesof
snowfallannually.Page32depictstheaverageannualprecipitationbysubwatershed.
Thesurfacehydrologyofthewatershedonpage33depictsahighelevationof2143ft.
intheWesternAdirondackMountains,andalowelevationof246ft.whereitdrainsto
LakeOntario.Theaverageslopeisapproximately.164%.TheBlackRiverflowsare
regulatedbytheHudsonRiverBlackRiverregulatingdistricttoallowforwatersupplies,
irrigation,andhydroelectricpowergeneration.TheannualmeanflowoftheBlackRiver
isapproximately4,212cubicfeetpersecond.ClassAandClassAAstreams,asclassified
bytheNYSDECWaterQualityStandardsProgram,thatprovidedrinkingwatersupplies
comprise146.5milesofthewatershed.Thereare178damsthroughouttheBlackRiver
watershed.Mostofthebasinhasgoodwaterquality,buttherearesomewaterquality
problems.BasedonNYSDECsurfacewaterclassification,71.3%ofstreammileswithin
thewatershedaretroutwatersorsuitablefortroutspawning.Nonpointsource
loadingswithinthewatershedweremodeledusingtheArcviewGeneralizedWatershed
LoadingFunction(AVGWLF)model(page46).Page51identifieswetlandacreswithin
eachsubwatershed,withatotalof212,319woodyandemergentwetlandacres.Flood
InsuranceRateMapswereusedtoidentifyfloodplainsandwerefoundtobeincomplete
forthewatershed(page52).Groundwaterresourcesaredescribedonpage53,and
identifythatthewatershediscomprisedof11,143acresofconfinedaquifers,and
475,508acresofunconfinedaquifers.
f. Landuse
Onpage12ofthePlan,landusewithinthewatershedisdescribed,andincludes9
categories:
Agriculture(14.1%)
Residential(15.2%)
Vacant(7.09%)
Commercial(0.4%)
Recreationandentertainment(0.5%)
Communityservices(0.5%)
Industrial(0.3%)
PublicServices(1.0%)
Wild,forested,conservationlandsandpublicparks(59.3%)
P a g e |18
ThefollowingmapportrayslanduseintheBlackRiverwatershed,andcanbefoundin
theAppendixofthePlan.
UrbanizedareasareconcentratedinWatertown,Carthage,Lowville,andBoonville.The
BlackRivervalleyishighlyusedforagriculturallands,andtheeasternBlackRiver
watershedischaracterizedbyforested,undevelopedlands,withintheAdirondackPark.
Moreinformationonlanduseisavailableinsection2ofthePlan.
g. Demographics
Accordingtosection2.3oftheplan,fivecountiesaretraversedbytheBlackRiver
watershed,includingJefferson,Lewis,Oneida,Herkimer,andHamiltoncounties.The
totalpopulationin2010was438,616,andisprojectedtodeclineto416,145in2020.
JeffersonCountyisprojectedtoseepopulationgrowthof2.7%through2020.More
informationondemographicsisavailablewithinsection2.3oftheplan.
h. Recreation
TheBlackRiverisapopulardestinationforwhitewaterraftingandkayaking,andits
watershedispopularforhunting,fishing,birdwatching,snowmobiling,andallterrain
vehicleuse.
ThroughaninitiativefundedbytheNYSEnvironmentalProtectionFund,awebsiteand
brochuresweredevelopedtopromoteareatourism,availablehere:
www.BlackRiverNY.com
Inaddition,theNYSDECmaintainsinformationrelatedtoBlackRiverrecreation
opportunitiesanduseofstatelands,includingthepopularTugHillandAdirondack
regiondestinations.Moreinformationaboutrecreationalopportunities,statelandsand
management,canbefoundinNYSDECsoutdooractivitiessectionofthewebsite.
ILoveNYadditionallypromotestourismthroughoutthestateandisusefulinidentifying
andplanningrecreationalopportunitiesinthearea.
P a g e |19
V.Waterqualitycondition
a. Historicalconditions/previousstudies
TwoNativeAmericangroups,theMohawks(oneofthefivenationsoftheIroquois
Confederacy)andtheAlgonquins(ofCanada),frequentedtheBlackRiverandalarge
sectionoftheAdirondacksMountainsforhuntingandtrapping,andleftfewtraces.The
areaprovidedgameduringharshwintersandtransportationroutesviawaterways. In
1799theareathatisnowWatertownwasexploredbytheFrenchcrossingtheBlack
River.Settlersgraduallymovedintothearea,attractedbytheabundanceofcheap
hydropower.DamswereconstructedandWatertownprosperedthroughthe19th
centuryasanindustrialcenter,withlocalpapermillsproducingmostofthenations
newsprintandavarietyofpaperproducts.TheupperBlackRiverwatershedwassettled
moregraduallyduetoobstaclesinherenttothemorerugged,mountainousterrain.
Loggingoftheforest(particularlyforspruce)wasoneofthemainforcesthateventually
openedtheareauptodevelopment.NewYorkStatedesignatedpubliclandinthe
AdirondacksasForestPreserve,andin1892theStateLegislaturecreatedthe
AdirondackPark,withthepurposesofprotectingtimbersupply,majorwatersheds,and
providingforthefreeuseofallthepeoplefortheirhealthandpleasure(Jamieson
1985).In1894aconstitutionalamendment,knownastheforeverwildamendment,
strengthenedthepreservationoftheForestPreserve.The1960switnessedproposals
forextensivesecondhomedevelopmentsintheAdirondacks.TheAdirondackPark
Agency(APA)administerslandusepolicywithintheParkbluelineboundaries(see
mapinlandusesection).MuchofthepastcenturysuseoftheBlackasaworkingriver
ledtowaterqualitydeclineandhabitatdestruction.Recreationalinterestintheriver
hasgrowninrecentdecades,andasuccessfulwhitewaterraftingindustrytakes
advantageoftheClassIVrapidsaffordedbytheriver.3Inadditiontothestudiesbelow,
theNaturalResourceConservationServicecompletedaRapidWatershedAssessment
ProfilefortheBlackRiverin2010,whichdetailswatershedstatistics,physiology,
geography,commonresourceareas,precipitation,landuse/landcover,anddescribes
detailedinformationaboutthesoilcharacteristicsanduses.
i. Biologicalsurveys
TheNYSDECroutinelyconductsbiologicalsamplingthroughtheRotating
IntegratedBasinStudiesprogram31,andconsiderscitizensciencewaterquality
monitoringfromtheWaterAssessmentsbyVolunteerEvaluatorsprogram32in
itsbiologicalmonitoringefforts.Lakesthroughoutthestatearemonitoredby
citizenscientistsbytheCitizenStatewideLakeAssessmentProgram.Water
qualitymonitoringbyprofessionalsthatiscoordinatedwiththeDEC,and
includesdevelopmentofaQualityAssuranceProjectPlan,occursthroughthe
ProfessionalExternalEvaluationsofRiversandStreamsprogram34.
P a g e |20
ii. TMDLs
InthemostrecentpublicationoftheNYS303(d)impairedwaterwayslisting
(2014)35withintheBlackRiverwatershed,MillCreek,SouthBranchand
tributaries,withinLewiscounty,werelistedaswatersegmentsrequiringTMDL
development.
iii. Watershedplans
BlackRiverWatershedManagementPlan1,developedbyBergmann
Associatesin2010.
DECPriorityWaterbodiesList36,lastupdatedforBlackRiverin2007.
FLLOWPATheStateoftheNewYorkLakeOntarioBasin:ReportonWater
ResourcesandLocalWatershedManagementPrograms.SectionforBlack
RiverBasin.Developedin2000.37
NewYorksInterimGreatLakesActionAgenda,releasedin2014.38
LakeOntarioPhosphorusLoadingbyMacarewiczetal.in2012.39
iv. Regulatoryprograms
1.LTCP
LongTermControlPlans(LTCPs)arerequiredundertheEnvironmental
ProtectionAgency'scombinedseweroverflow(CSO)ControlPolicyandpartof
DEC'sCSOcontrolstrategytoreducethefrequency,duration,andintensityof
CSOevents.MunicipalitieswithCSOsarerequiredtohaveaStatePollutant
DischargeEliminationSystem(SPDES)permit.Moreinformationisavailableon
theDECLongtermcontrolplanwebsite.CommunitiesintheBlackRiver
WatershedrequiringanLTCPinclude:TheCityofWatertownistheonly
municipalitywithaCSOthatisrequiredtohavealongtermcontrolplaninthe
BlackRiverbasin,andanLTCPfortheCityofWatertownwasapprovedin2011.
2.SPDESprogram
ThePlanidentifies15wastewatertreatmentfacilitiesthatdischarge24.2million
gallonsperdayoftreatedwastewaterintotheBlackRiverWatershed(Table
8.827,p397).IntheGreatLakeswatershed,municipalsewageStatePollutant
DischargeEliminationsystem(SPDES)41permitsover1MGDarerequiredto
meetaphosphoruslimitof1mg/l.TheDECsStatePollutionDischarge
P a g e |21
EliminationSystempermittingprogramidentifiesandenforcescompliancewith
statewaterqualitystandards.Inaddition,theEPArecentlydevelopedatool,
calledDrinkingWaterMaps,toinformdrinkingwaterprotectionthatallowsthe
publicandstakeholderstoviewSPDESpermits,andinformationonany
violations.Thetoolcanbeaccessedat:
www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection/dwmaps
ThePlanidentifiesmunicipalwastewatertreatmentsplantsandtheirdaily
discharges.Watertown,CarthageandWestCarthage,Lowville,Boonville,and
BrownvillehavethehighestdailydischargesintotheBlackRiver.Aspreviously
mentioned,Watertownisintheprocessofidentifyingopportunitiestoimprove
theirwastewatertreatmentfacilities.
3.MS4program
PopulationincreasesintheCityofWatertownandsurroundingareawere
documentedinthe2010U.S.Census7andledtotheareabeingdesignatedas
urbanizedin2013.Watertownandsurroundingareasarenowbeingrequiredto
regulatemunicipalseparatestormwatersewersystems(MS4s)andcomply
withminimumcontrolmeasuresestablishedbytheDECstormwaterpermitting
program.8ThetownsofLeray,Rutland,Watertown,VillagesofBlackRiver,
Brownville,WestCarthage,CarthageandDexter,theCityofWatertownand
JeffersonCountyhavesignedanintermunicipalagreementtoworktogetherto
meettheserequirements.Progresstowardsmeetingtheserequirementshave
includedsecuringagranttosupporteducationandoutreach,theappointment
ofJeffersonCountySoilandWaterConservationDistrictasthestormwater
programcoordinator,thedevelopmentoftheJeffersonCountyStormWater
Coalitionwebsite10andoutfallmapping.Themunicipalitieswerealsorecently
awardeda20152016DECWaterQualityImprovementGrant11todevelopa
stormwatermanagementplan,andhaveleveragedaUSForestServiceGreat
LakesRestorationInitiative12Grantin2015toinstallgreeninfrastructureand
planttreesinMS4communities.Developmentandimplementationofthestorm
watermanagementplanwillimprovewaterqualityinthehighprioritylower
BlackRiversubwatershed,byreducingrunoffcontainingpollutantsand
nutrientsandeducatingcommunitymemberstobestewardsofthelandand
waterresources.
4.Sewerserviceareas&septicsystems
Outsideofmajordevelopmentareas,suchasWatertownandthesurrounding
area,Lowville,Carthage,Boonville,Forestport,andOldForge,thewatershedis
characterizedbyrural,unseweredlandwhereresidentialareasareservicedby
septicsystemsandwells.AccordingtothePlan(Appendix8.9)septicloadings
intotheBlackRiverWatershedcontribute4,464kg/yr.ofnitrogen,and693
kg/yr.ofphosphorus,withthehighestsubwatershednitrogenandphosphorus
P a g e |22
loadsfromsepticsinMiddleBranchMooseRiver,UpperBlackRiver,Stillwater
Reservoir,andSouthBranchMooseRiver.TheNewYorkStateDepartmentof
Healthandlocalhealthdepartmentsareinvolvedwithinspectionandcode
enforcementsofsepticsystems,incommunitiesthathaveregulatoryprograms.
b. Presentconditions
TheLakeOntariotributaryloadingstudybyMacarewiczetalin201239identifiesthe
mostuptodateBlackRiverwatershedloadinginformation.Thestudyindicatesthatthe
BlackRivertotalphosphorusloadwas135.06metrictonnesperyearin2012.Ongoing
effortsbytheDEC,Soilandwaterdistricts,andUSGSarefurtherupdatingwaterquality
datatoinformthenewprioritywaterbodieslist.36
VI.Designatedanddesireduses
a. Designatedusesinthewatershed&status(i.e.,met,impairedorthreatened)
TheDECsClassificationofWatersPrograms30designatesbestusageofwaterwaysinthe
state.ThePriorityWaterbodiesList36identifiesimpairedorimpacteduseofwaterways.
AllwatersinNewYorkStateareassignedaletterclassificationthatdenotestheirbest
uses.LetterclassessuchasA,B,C,andDareassignedtofreshsurfacewaters.Bestuses
include:sourceofdrinkingwater,swimming,boating,andfishing.Theletter
classificationsandtheirbestusesaredescribedinregulation6NYCRRPart701.
ThebestuseofClassGAgroundwater(allfreshgroundwaterinNewYorkStateisClass
GA)andClassA,ASpecial,AA,andAASpecialsurfacewatersisasourceofpotable
watersupply.StandardsandguidancevaluesoftheHealth(WaterSource)Typeare
establishedforthesewaterstoprotectthisuse.Separatestandardsfordrinkingwater
arepromulgatedbytheNewYorkStateDepartmentofHealth(NYSDOH).
IntheBlackRiverbasin,LowerBlackRiversubwatershedhasaClassAdesignated
waterwaythatsupportsdrinkingwaterresourcesintheCityofWatertownand
surroundingarea,includingpartsofFortDrum.
b. Desiredusesinwatershed
Desiredusesinthewatershedincludedrinkingwater,swimming,boating,fishing,and
aquaticlife,asclassifiedbytheNYSDECclassificationofwatersprogram.Drinkingwater
suppliesshouldbeprotected.Economicandagriculturaldevelopmentandproduction
thatbenefitslocalcommunities,andconsidersecosystemservices,waterquality,and
naturalresourceimpactsisalsoimportanttostakeholderswithinthewatershed.
VII.Waterqualitygoalsandobjectives
a. Sourcesofimpairmentsandthreatstodesignateduses
P a g e |23
InPart1,Section3(page7792),thePlanidentifiesissuesimpactingwaterqualityinthe
BlackRiverWatershed.ThePlanidentifiesthefollowingascausesofimpairmentsto
waterquality:
Atmosphericdeposition
Contaminants(Mercury,PCBs)
Failingonsitesepticsandwastewatertreatmentsystems
Agriculturalrunoff
Invasivespecies
Climatechange
Flowregulation
Urbangrowth
Flooding,erosion,andstormwater
AdditionalinformationonthewaterqualityandimpairmentsisavailablefromtheDEC
websiteandmonitoringefforts.
b. Causesofimpairmentsandthreats
ThesourcesofthispollutionwithintheBlackRiverWatershed,asidentifiedbythePlan,
arefromagriculturalrunoff,municipalandprivatewastewatertreatment(sewage
systemsandonsiteseptics),anderosionofstreamsandriversthatoccursdueto
shorelineandstreambankdisturbancesfromdevelopmentandfromstorms,floods,
andice.Inaddition,pastindustrialactivities(superfundandbrownfieldsites)have
contaminatedgroundwaterwithPCBsintheLowerMiddleBlackRiversubwatershedin
HerringsandCarthage,NY.Invasivespeciesthreatenbiodiversityandwaterquality.
Section8.9ofthePlan(p.399409)modelsnitrogen,phosphorus,andsedimentloading
fromeachsource.
c. Pollutantsaddressedbyplan
Thewatershedplanaddressesnitrogen,phosphorusandsediment.Continuedeffortsto
addressNortheastareaatmosphericdepositionandacidrainshouldbeaddressed
throughtheNortheastAreaTMDL25,andcollaborationandcoordinationonaglobal
scale.EffortstoaddressLegacycontaminantssuchasPCBsshouldcontinuetobe
addressedbyEPAsuperfund24,DECremediation,andDOSBrownfieldprograms.
d. Quantifypollutantsourceloadsinwatershed
TheBlackRiverWatershedencompasses1,218,075acres.TotalNitrogenloadsare
1,535,852kilogramsperyear,totalphosphorusloadsare116,384kilogramsperyear
andtotalsedimentloadsare20,357megagramsperyear.Thisinformationisavailable
insection8.9ofthePlan.AccordingtotheLakeOntariostudythetotalphosphorus
loadingtoLakeOntariofromtheBlackRiverwas135.06metrictonsperyear39.When
P a g e |24
convertedtokilograms,thisisequaltoapproximately135,060kg/yr.Theseonthe
groundmonitoringresultsareinclosealignmentwiththemodelingresults.
e. Waterqualitygoalortarget
Thewaterqualitygoalfornitrogenandphosphorusloads(peracre)insubwatershedsis
toreducethekg/acreloadingtobelowtheimpairmentthresholdsidentifiedbythe
Plan:averagetotalnitrogenloadsabove3.49kg/acreandaveragetotalphosphorus
loadsabove.12kg/acre.Subwatershedsabovetheseimpairmentthresholdswere
consideredimpairedandwereprioritizedhigherthanthosewithloadsbelowthese
thresholds.Theplandidnotidentifyasedimentimpairmentthreshold.Seepage47of
theplanformoreinformationontheseimpairmentthresholds.
TheBlackRiverWatershedManagementPlanutilizedtheAVGWLFmodeltodetermine
totalnitrogen,phosphorus,andsedimentloadstothewatershedandmodelreductions
thatwouldbeachievedbyimplementingrecommendedBestManagementPracticesfor
agriculturewithintheBlackRiverbasinsprioritysubwatersheds.BestManagement
PracticesandestimatedloadreductionsareidentifiedinSection8.5ofthePlan(page
297).Thisaddendumwillfurtheridentifyadditionalmanagementactions,including
greeninfrastructure,whichcouldfurtherreducenutrientloading.
Managementactionsshouldbeaimedatreducingaverageloadsperacretobelowthe
impairmentthresholdsidentifiedinthePlaninhighprioritysubwatersheds,as
indicatedinthenextsection.
f.
Expectedloadreductionsneededtomeetwaterqualitygoalortarget
ThemodelingresultsindicatethatLowerBlackRiverandLowerMiddleBlackRiver
Phosphorusloadsareabovethethreshold,andMillCreeknitrogenandphosphorus
loadsareabovethethreshold.LowerBlackRiverphosphorusloadsneedtobereduced
by53%(from8457kg/acreto4500kg/acre),LowerMiddleBlackRiverPhosphorus
loadsneedtobereducedby30%(from8442kg/acreto5926kg/acre)andMillCreek
Nitrogenloadsneedtobereducedby17%,orfrom93776kg/yr.to78342kg/acre,and
phosphorusloadswouldneedtobereducedby54%,orfrom4798kg/acreto2589
kg/acre.ThroughtargetedimplementationofBMPsinprioritysubwatersheds,the
followingreductionswillbeachieved:
PrioritySub
watershed
LowerBlackR.
LowerMiddleBlack
River
MillCreek
PhosphorusReductionstarget
NitrogenReductionstarget
Phosphorusloadreductionof53%
from8457kg/yr.to4500kg/yr.
Phosphorusloadreductionsof30%,
Phosphorusloadreductionof54%,
Noneneededphosphorus
reductionactivitieswillreduce
Noneneededphosphorus
reductionactivitieswillreduce
Nitrogenloadreductionof17%,
from93776kg/acreto78342kg/yr.

P a g e |25
*Althoughsedimentisnotidentifiedasanimpairmentinthewatershedplan,reductionsinsediment
thatwillbeachievedduetoactivitiestargetingphosphorusreductionswillprovideadditionalwater
qualityimprovements,includingloweringcostsfordrinkingwatertreatmentbyreducingtotal
suspendedsolidsandtotalorganiccarbon.
VIII.
Priorityareaswithinwatershed
a. Howpriority/criticalareasweredetermined
Section3ofthePlanprioritizessubwatershedsusingaprioritizationmodelthatconsiders
conditionsofwaterquality,landcover,landuse,ownership,andnaturalresources.
Sedimentperacre,totalnitrogenperacre,andtotalphosphorusperacreweretheprimary
metricsforprioritizingsubwatersheds.TheprioritizationmodelfortheBlackRiver
WatershedManagementPlanrankedthefollowingsubwatershedsashighpriorityfor
reducingwaterqualityandnaturalresourceissues.Modelingresultsusedtoidentifypriority
subwatershedscanbefoundinsection8.9ofthePlan.
HighPrioritySubwatersheds
HUC11
Sub
Acres
Loadsources
Loadtype
TotalLoad
Averageload
watershed
peryear
04150101190
Lower
Black
River*
39,532
04150101180
Lower
Middle
BlackR.
51,985
04150101120
MillCreek 22,512
Agricultural
runoff,sewage,
onsiteseptics,
municipalrunoff,
hydrologic
fluctuations
Agriculturaland
municipalrunoff,
sewageandon
siteseptics
Agriculturaland
municipalrunoff
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Sediments
128,386kg/yr. 3.30kg/acre
.21kg/acre*
8,457kg/yr.
1,411Mg/yr. .04Mg/acre
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Sediments,
.17kg/acre*
8,442kg/yr.
Nitrogen
93,776kg/yr. 4.16kg/acre*
Phosphorus
4,798kg/yr.
.21kg/acre*
Sediments
686.6Mg/yr. .03Mg/acre
*TheLowerBlackRiversubwatershedisaClassAwaterwayandthesourceofthemunicipal
drinkingwatersupplyfortheCityofWatertownandsurroundingareas.Protectionofthis
importantwaterresourceisanadditionalpriority,andtheDECsProtectionofWatersProgram
regulationsensuresitsprotection.
Theprioritizationmodelrankedthefollowingsubwatershedsasmediumpriority:
P a g e |26
HUC11
Subwatershed
Acres
LoadType
TotalLoad
Average
AnnualLoad
3.73kg/acre
.22kg/acre*
0.02Mg/acre
2.85kg/acre
04150101160 MiddleBlackR.
81,353
.14kg/acre*
0.02Mg/acre
2.42kg/acre
04150101100 UpperMiddleBlack 102,016
.14kg/acre*
River
.03Mg/acre
04150101150 BeaverRiver
98,761
1.12kg/acre
.09kg/acre
.01Mg/acre
04150101130 CrystalCreek
17,085
Nitrogen
.102kg/acre
1,735kg/yr.
Phosphorus
.01Mg/acre
179Mg/yr.
Sediment
04150101170 DeerRiver
62,270
Nitrogen
.109kg/acre
6,738kg/yr.
Phosphorus
.01Mg/acre
683Mg/yr.
Sediment
04150101060 MiddleBranch
94,880
Nitrogen
MooseR.
Phosphorus
4,855kg/yr.
.056kg/acre
Sediment
31,210kg/yr. .32kg/acre
04150101140 StillwaterReservoir
109,992
Nitrogen
.053kg/acre
5,191kg/yr.
Phosphorus
Sediment
*Marksthosesubwatershedswithaverageloadsabovetheimpairmentthreshold
04150101040
SugarRiver
44,732
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Sediment
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Sediment
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Sediment
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Sediment
166,792kg/yr.
9,879kg/yr.
917Mg/yr.
230,413kg/yr.
9,879kg/yr.
1,627Mg/yr.
244,684kg/yr.
14,353kg/yr.
2,827Mg/yr.
108,232kg/yr.
8,522kg/yr.
1,157Mg/yr.
Mapofprioritysubwatersheds(fromthePlan,page93)
P a g e |27
IX.
(brown=high,yellow=medium,green=low)
ProposedBMPs
a. Bestmanagementpractice(BMPs)recommendations
AgriculturalBestManagementPracticeImplementation
Toachievereductiontargets,AgriculturalBestManagementPractices(AgBMPs)shouldbe
implementedonagriculturallandsinhighandmediumprioritywatersheds.Lewisand
JeffersonCountySoilandWaterConservationDistrictshavebeenandwillcontinuetowork
withagriculturallandownerstopromoteandimplementAgBMPsidentifiedintheplanin
accordancewithNaturalResourceConservationServiceConservationPracticeStandards43.
Theywillprovidetechnicalassistanceandleveragefinancialassistanceastheyareable,and
willseektotargetandinformlandownersinpriorityareasoflocalwaterqualityissuesand
howlandownerscanalleviatetheseissues.ExamplesofAgBMPsrecommendedbythe
planincludecovercrops,vegetativefilterstrips,notillcrops,ComprehensiveNutrient
ManagementPlans(CNMPs)andreducinglivestockaccesstostreams.Thefollowing
informationidentifiesAgBMPs,currentloadingsfromagriculturalsources,andestimated
loadreductionsthatwillbeachievedtoreduceloadingsthatareaboveimpairment
thresholdsandachievewaterqualitygoalsinhighprioritysubwatersheds:
1. Covercropsarecropssownafterharvestofthemaincropthat
provideprotectivecoverforsoil,andreduceerosionandnutrient
runoff.Covercropscanonlybeimplementedoncropland.ThePlan
identifiesthatcovercropson50%ofcroplandswouldreduce
sedimentloadsby18.5%,nitrogenloadsby21.4%,andphosphorus
loadsby21.2%.Usinginformationidentifyingthepercentageof
croplandsineachsubwatershedinsection5(p123128)to
calculatecroplandsandthemodelingresultsinsection8,the
followingloadsforcroplandwereidentifiedinhighprioritysubwatersheds:
PhotoUSDANRCS
LowerBlackR.
MillCreek
LowerMiddle
Totalacresage
lands(acresof
cropland)
15812(3953acres
ofcropland)
13507(4457acres
ofcropland)
15595(4678
cropland)
TotalNloads
(kg/yr.)from
Cropland
6524
TotalPload
(kg/yr.)from
cropland
1122
TotalSediment
(mg/yr.)from
cropland
535
5897
960.2
385
6273
861
438
P a g e |28
IntheLowerBlackRiver,implementationofcovercropson50%ofcroplands(1976acres)would
reducetheoverallsubwatershedphosphorusloadby3%(235kg/yr.).
IntheLowerMiddleBlackRiversubwatershed,covercropson50%ofcroplands(2339acres)
wouldreducetheoverallphosphorusloadby2%,or181kg/yr.
IntheMillCreeksubwatershed,covercropson50%ofcroplands(2228acres)wouldreduce
phosphorusloadsby4%,or192kg/yr.andwouldreducenitrogenloadsby1%,or1238kg/yr.
2.
Vegetativefilterstripsareareasofplantedvegetation
(usuallygrasses)locatedalongagriculturallandedgesthat
removepollutantsfromrunoff,providehabitat,andofferan
areaforturnrowsandhaymaking.
Photohttp://www.extension.umn.edu/
Vegetativefilterstripsrequirethelandownertotakethelands
outofproductionandthusarenothighlyfavoredduetothe
lossofworkinglandsandassociatedincome.Areasonable
targetforimplementationofthisBMPwouldbe25%ofagriculturallands.ThePlanidentifiesthat
vegetativefilterstripson25%ofAgriculturallandswouldreducesedimentloadingby19.8%,nitrogen
loadingby21.7%,andphosphorusloadingby23.1%.
IntheLowerBlackRiversubwatershed,implementingvegetativefilterstripson3953acresof
Aglandswouldreducetheoverallphosphorusloadby10%,or881.6kg/yr.
IntheLowerMiddlesubwatershed,implementingvegetativefilterstripson3898acresofAg
landswouldreducetheoverallphosphorusloadby8%,or689kg/yr.
IntheMillcreeksubwatershed,vegetativefilterstripson3376acreswouldreducetheoverall
phosphorusloadby8.5%or409kg/yr.andtheoverallnitrogenloadby2.6%,or2443kg/yr.
3. Notillcropsisaproductionsystemwherethefieldisleft
virtuallyundisturbedfromharvesttoplanting.Fieldsarenolonger
plowedandplantresiduesremaininthesoiltoofferprotectionfrom
erosion.
USDANRCS
Notillcropimplementationon50%ofhighprioritysubwatershedcroplands(LowerBlackRiver,Middle
BlackR.,MillCreek)wouldreducesedimentloadsinthosesubwatershedsby33.1%,totalnitrogen
loadsby24.9%,andtotalphosphorusloadsby25.1%.
IntheLowerBlackRiver,implementationofnotillcropson50%ofcroplands(1976acres)would
reducetheoverallsubwatershedphosphorusloadby3%(281kg/yr.).
IntheLowerMiddleBlackRiversubwatershed,notillcropson50%ofcroplands(2339acres)
wouldreducetheoverallphosphorusloadby2.5%,or216kg/yr.
P a g e |29
IntheMillCreeksubwatershed,notillcropson50%ofcroplands(2228acres)wouldreduce
phosphorusloadsby5%,or240kg/yr.andwouldreducenitrogenloadsby1.5%,or1468kg/yr.
4.
Reducinglivestockaccesstostreamsinvolvesinstalling
fencingalongawaterwaytopreventlivestockfromaccessing
thestreamandprovidinglivestockwithoffstreamwatering
tanks.AccordingtothePlan,reducinglivestockaccessto
streamsisestimatedtoreducephosphorusloadingon
hay/pasturelandby78%,nitrogenloadingby56%,andsediment
loadingby76%.Byreducinglivestockaccesstostreamson25%
ofallhay/pasturelands,phosphorusloadswouldbereducedby
39%,andnitrogenloadswouldbereducedby28%.
Reducinglivestockaccesstostreamson25%ofhayandpasturelandsintheLowerBlackRiver
wouldreducetotalphosphorusloadingsby528kg/yr.
Reducinglivestockaccesstostreamson25%ofhaypasturelandsintheLowerMiddleBlackR.
wouldreducetotalphosphorusloadingsby399kg/yr.
Reducinglivestockaccesstostreamson25%ofhay/pasturelandsinMillCreekwouldreduce
phosphorusloadingsby160kg/yr.andnitrogenloadsby803kg/yr.
5.Comprehensivenutrientmanagementplans(CNMPs)
AgriculturallandownerscanworkwithcertifiedNutrientmanagementplannersandSoiland
WaterConservationDistrictstodevelopcomprehensivenutrientmanagementplansbeyond
whatisrequiredbyConcentratedAnimalFeedingOperations(CAFOsfarmswith300cows
ormore).CNMPsguidehowanimalwasteismanaged,storedandspread.Theplan
identifiesthataCNMPwillachieveanestimated3%reductioninphosphorusandnitrogen
runoff.ThefollowingmapportraysCAFOsintheBlackRiverWatershedthatarerequiredto
haveaCNMP:
P a g e |30
IfhalfofagriculturallandownersweretodevelopandimplementCNMPs,thefollowing
reductionswouldbeachieved:
LowerBlackRiver:7906acresofhay/pasturelandswouldreduceAgricultural
phosphorusloadsby114.99kg/yr.
LowerMiddleBlackRiver:7797acresofagriculturallandsimplementingCNMP
wouldreducephosphorusloadby87.33kg/yr.
MillCreek:6753acres,53.46kg/yr.phosphorus,349.02kg/yr.nitrogen.
6.Riparian/ForestBuffers:Asidentifiedbytheplan(appendix8.5),riparianorforestbuffers
canachievesignificantnitrogenreductions,dependingontheirwidth.Thesebuffersare
plantedorallowedtogrowinthespacebetweenagriculturalorloadingssourcesanda
waterway,andinterceptrunoff,includingnitrogen,phosphorus,andsediment,beforeitcan
enterthewaterway.ModelingdatafromDevereuxetal(AppendixI)identifiesthatforest
bufferscanreducephosphorusby1.5lb./acre(.68kg/acre),nitrogenby34lb./acre(15.42
kg/acre),andsedimentby758lb./acre(344kg/acre).TheMillCreeksubwatershed
agricultureadjacentlandwouldbehighpriorityforimplementationduetothesignificant
nitrogenreductionsofforestedbuffers.Byimplementingforestedbufferson10acresof
landadjacenttoagriculturallanduse,nitrogenwouldbereducedby154kg/yr.,and
phosphoruswouldbereducedby15kg/yr.Stakeholderscanadditionallyseekopportunities
andinterestinotherprioritysubwatershedstoachieveadditionalfishandwildlifehabitat,
recreational,airqualityandaestheticbenefitsofforestbuffers.
Thechartprovidesestimatedtotalreductionsthatmaybeachievedinprioritysubwatershedsthrough
implementationofAgriculturalBMPs:
Subwatershedand LowerBlackRiver
Phosphorus
currentloading:
8457kg/yr.
AgBMPimplemented Reductionkg/yr.
1. Covercrops 235
on50%of
croplands
2. Vegetative 881.6
filterstripson
25%ofAg
land
3. Notillcrops 235
on50%ofAg
land
528
4. Livestock
access
reductionto
25%of
hay/pasture
land
5. CNMPon50%115
ofAgland
6. Forestbuffers N/A
on10acresin
MillCreeksub
watershed
5934
Estimatedtotal
load(kg/yr.)with
BMPimplementation
.15
Estimatedtotal
load(kg/acre)with
BMP
implementation
P a g e |31
LowerMiddleBlack
River
Phosphorus
8442kg/yr.
Reductionkg/yr.
181
MillCreek
Phosphorus
4,798kg/yr.
Reductionkg/yr.
192
Mill
Creek Nitrogen
93776kg/yr.
Reduction
kg/yr.
1238
689
409
2443
216
240
1468
399
160
803
87
53
15
349
N/A
154
6476
3569
86458
.12
.16
3.84
Wastewatertreatmentplantsandonsitesepticsmaintenanceandupgrades
ToreducewastewaterloadingsintotheBlackRiver,communitiesshouldidentifyopportunitiesto
maintainorupgradefailingonsitesepticsandwastewatertreatmentplants.Stakeholderscan
furtheridentifycommunitiesthatwouldbenefitfrombeingseweredasopposedtohavingonsite
septics.TheNYSEnvironmentalFacilitiesCorporationandtheEPAhaveprogramstofund
wastewaterinfrastructurefacilitiesthatimprovewaterquality.TheNYSEFCCleanWaterState
P a g e |32
RevolvingFund44andtheEPAWaterPollutionControlGrant45Programsareexamplesoffunding
thatcommunitiescanleverageforwastewatertreatmentmaintenanceandupgrades.
1. Arobusteducationandoutreachprogramtoeducatethepublicabouttheimportanceof
maintainingonsitesepticsystemstoprotectwaterqualitywouldhelpthepublicunderstand
thisissueandimplementpracticestoreducenutrientandphosphorusloadingfromonsite
systems.Communitiescanexplorefundingsourcestoincentivizeonsitesepticmaintenanceor
replacefailingsystemswithsewerorclustersystems.Fundingprogramsthatcansupportthese
effortsareidentifiedinAppendixIV.Interestedcommunitiescanadditionallyexplore
regulationssuchaswatershedinspectionprogramsthatrequirelandownerstocomplywithland
usestandardsthatareputinplacetoprotectdrinkingwaterresources,suchasthose
establishedintheSkaneatelesLakeWatershed46.
2. ThePlanidentifies15wastewatertreatmentfacilitiesthatdischarge24.2milliongallonsperday
oftreatedwastewaterintotheBlackRiverWatershed(Table8.827,p397).IntheGreatLakes
watershed,municipalsewageStatePollutantDischargeEliminationsystem41(SPDES)permits
over1MGDarerequiredtomeetaphosphoruslimitof1mg/l.InformationaboutSPDESpermits
andaccesstodischargeinformationforpermitteesthroughoutthewatershedisavailableonthe
NYSDECSPDESprogramwebsite.TherecentlypassedSewagePollutionRighttoknowlaw47
requirespermitholderstoalertthepublicwhendischargeexceedspermittedvalues.
Communities(includingWatertown,Carthage,Lowville,LyonsFalls,andPortLeyden)willseek
tomeetSPDESrequirementsforeffluentdischargeandidentifyopportunitiestofurtherreduce
discharges,dependingonfundingavailableandcommunityparticipation.TheEnvironmental
FacilitiesCorporation44grantsandstaterevolvingloanprogramscanassistcommunitieswith
meetingSPDESpermitrequirements.
ImprovedStormwaterManagement
MS4regulatedcommunitieswillimplementminimummeasurestoimprovestormwater
management.Minimummeasuresincludeeducationandoutreach,publicparticipation,illicit
dischargedetectionandelimination,constructionsiterunoffcontrol,postconstructionrunoff
control,andpollutionprevention/goodhousekeeping,suchastheuseofgreeninfrastructureand
streetsweeping.TheLowerBlackRiverandMillCreeksubwatershedsarehighpriorityfor
implementingimprovedstormwatermanagementpractices.
Communitiescanadditionallymaintainandimprovesewerinfrastructureandexploregreenvs.gray
approachestostormwatermanagementtofurtherreducepollutedrunofffromenteringtheBlack
Riverbeyondtherequirements.Moreinformationuse,design,andperformanceofgreen
infrastructureisavailablefromEPAsGreenInfrastructurecollaborative48,andDECsStormwater
ManagementDesignManual49.
Greeninfrastructurecanbeusedtoimprovestormwatermanagementandreducerunoffwhilealso
enhancingfishandwildlifehabitatsandimprovingairqualityandaesthetics.Greeninfrastructure
practicesincludebioretention(raingardens),perviouspavement,treeplanting,bioswales,and
P a g e |33
wetlandcreation.LowerBlackRiverandMillCreekareprioritysubwatershedstoimprovestorm
watermanagement.TheDEChasidentifiedthepercentofrunoffthatwillbereducedbyinstalling
thesepracticesintendedtocapturerainwaterfromimpervioussources.DECguidance49canbeused
forgreeninfrastructuredesigns.
AccordingtothemodelingresultidentifiedinthePlan(section8.9),highintensitydevelopment
contributestothefollowingloadsintheprioritysubwatersheds:
Priority
sub
watershed
Lower
BlackR.
Loadfromhighintensity
development
Loadfromlowintensity
development
Nitrogen826.8
Nitrogen8,074kg/year
Phosphorus895.4kg/year Phosphorus120.3
Sediment14.76
Sediment56.38Mg/yr.
Lower
Nitrogen2,974kg/year
Nitrogen464.3
Middle
Phosphorus329kg/yr.
Phosphorus67.5
BlackR.
Sediment12.72Mg/yr.
Sediment7.36
MillCr.
Nitrogen91kg/yr.
Nitrogen55.2
Phosphorus77.8kg/yr.
Phosphorus8
Sediment7Mg/yr.
Sediment2
*Notethatinclusionofgroundwatersourcesinhighandlowintensitydevelopmentsourceswould
resultinloadingsfromthesesourcesbeingmuchhigher.
Thefollowingmapportraysareasofdevelopment(red)wheregreeninfrastructurepracticescanbe
targeted:
Byimplementinggreeninfrastructurepracticesinthesehighprioritysubwatersheds,pollutionloads
fromhighintensitydevelopmentcouldbereducedby5%,dependingonstakeholderparticipation
P a g e |34
andfeasibility.Implementationofgreeninfrastructurewouldreduceloadingsfromdevelopment.
Outfallmappingandhighintensityandlowintensitylandusemapscanhelpidentifywhereto
implementgreeninfrastructurepracticestoreducerunoff.Stakeholdersshouldpromotegreen
infrastructureandlandusestewardshiptoprivatelandownersthroughoutreachandeducation.
Thefollowingchartportraystheestimatedreductionsofgreeninfrastructurepractices,basedonthe
chartinAppendixI,andconversionoflbs.tokg/acre:
Greeninfrastructurepractice
Bioretention/raingarden
Perviouspavement
Bioswale
Treeplanting
Phosphorusloadreduction
.45kg/acre
.4kg/acre
.4kg/acre
.2kg/acre
Nitrogenloadreduction
4.4kg/acre
4.5kg/acre
4kg/acre
5kg/acre
Inaddition,greenroofs,orvegetatedrooftops,areincreasinglybeingusedtoreducerunofffrom
rooftopsinurbanizedareas.TheEPAhasGreenInfrastructuremodelingtools50andcalculatesthat
onaveragegreenroofscanreducerunoffupto60%.Agreenroofcancostapproximately$20,000
morethanaregularroofoveritslifetimeforconstructionandmaintenance,however,cancreate
significantenergysavingsbyprovidingaddedinsulationinadditiontostormwatercapturethat
reducesrunofftowaterways.Municipalitiescanexploreopportunitiestoleveragefundingforgreen
roofpracticestoreducestormwaterrunoff.Estimatedreductionsarespecifictoasite,andgreen
roofdesignstandardscanbeusedtodeterminereductionsatasitespecificlevel.
Usingthisinformation,andtheBMPguidancedocumentinAppendixI,wecanestimatethe
reductionsfromimplementingthesegreeninfrastructurepractices.Forexample,installing20acres
ofraingardensintheLowerBlackRiverwouldreducephosphorusloadingsby9kg/yr.Byreplacing
imperviouspavementwithperviouspavementon10acresintheLowerBlackRiver,phosphorusloads
wouldadditionallybereducedby4kg/yr.Installingbioswaleson10acresintheLowerBlackRiver
wouldreducephosphorusloadsby4kg/yr.Nativetreeplantingson20acresintheLowerBlackRiver
Watershedwouldreducephosphorusloadingsby4kg/yr.Thesepractices,combined,wouldresultin
21kg/yr.inphosphorusreductionsandreduceoverallphosphorusloadingfromhighintensity
developmentintheLowerBlackRiverfrom894to873kg/yr,andoverallloadingsfromallsources,
afterAgBMPimplementation,to6002kg/yr.,andreducetheoverallestimatedloadingsto.14
kg/acreperyear.Thisdoesnotmeetthe.12kg/acreperyearthresholdgoal.Thiscouldbedueto
themarginoferrorassociatedwithbestmanagementpracticeefficienciesormodelingcalculations.
However,additionalprojectswillbeidentifiedasthewatershedplanisimplemented.
IntheLowerMiddleBlackRiverandMillCreeksubwatersheds,installing10acresofraingardensin
eachsubwatershedwouldreducephosphorusby4.5kg/yr.andnitrogenby44kg/yr.,replacing5
acresofimperviouspavementwithperviouspavementwouldreducephosphorusby2kg/yr.and
nitrogenby22.5kg/yr.,installingbioswaleson5acreswouldreducephosphorusby2kg/yr.and
nitrogenby22.5kg/yr.,andtreeplantingon10acresineachsubwatershedwouldreduceeachsub
watershedsphosphorusloadingby2kg/yr.andnitrogenloadingby50kg/yr.Thetotalphosphorus
loadthatwouldbereducedbyinstallingthesegreeninfrastructurepracticesintheLowerMiddle
BlackRiverwouldbe10.5kg/yr.andafterAgBMPimplementationthenewphosphorousloading
P a g e |35
wouldbe6421kg/yr.FortheMillCreeksubwatershed,installingthesegreeninfrastructurepractices
wouldreducephosphorusloadingafterAgBMPimplementationto3518kg/yr.andwouldfurther
reducenitrogenloadingto85686kg/yr.,andnitrogenloadsinMillCreekwouldbebelowthe
threshold(3.39kg/acre)aftergreeninfrastructureimplementation.
SoilandWaterConservationDistrictsandmunicipalitiesarecurrentlyidentifyingopportunitiesto
implementgreeninfrastructurepracticestoimprovestormwatermanagementintheLowerBlack
RiverandMillCreeksubwatersheds.TheJeffersonCountySoilandwaterConservationDistrict,in
partnershipwiththeJeffersonCountyStormwaterCoalition,recentlyleveragedfundingfromtheUS
ForestServiceGreatLakesRestorationInitiative14toinstallraingardensandplanttreeswithinthe
lowerBlackriversubwatershed.Fundingforgreeninfrastructureisavailablethroughavarietyof
stateandfederalprograms,asidentifiedinAppendixIV.Implementationofgreeninfrastructure
practicesidentifiedinthisaddendumwillbecontingentonlocalcapacity,willingnessoflandowners,
fundingavailability,andtechnicalsupport.
X.
b. RationalefortheselectionofrecommendedBMPs
InselectingBMPsforimplementationintheplan,stakeholders,includingSWCDs,planners,
municipalities,andWaterQualityCoordinatingCommittees51wereconsultedtoidentify
realisticpracticesthatcouldbequantifiedbythemodelinginformation.Considerationof
existingprograms,andlandownersupportforpractices,aswellasfinancialandtechnical
constraintswerealsoconsidered.
c. Descriptionandperformance(reductionofpollutant)ofrecommendedBMPs
ModelingofreductionefficienciescanbefoundwithintheBlackRiverWatershed
ManagementPlan,NYSDECStormwaterManagementDesignmanual,andtheState
PollutantDischargeEliminationSystemspermittingprogram.
ImplementationPlan
a. Actionplanforshorttermobjectives
Implementationofactionswillbedependentonfunding.Partnerswillactivelyseektofund
projectsandanticipateimplementationofAgriculturalBestManagementPractices,
improvedstormwatermanagementpractices,onsitesepticmaintenanceandupgrades,
andwastewatertreatmentinfrastructureupgradesandmaintenanceinhighpriorityand
thenmediumprioritywatershedswithin1020years,subjecttofundingavailabilityand
stakeholderparticipation.
b. Actionplanforintermediateobjectives
LowerBlackRiversubwatershed,MillCreek,andLowerMiddleBlackRiverprojects,
includingAgriculturalBMPimplementation,greeninfrastructureinstallationandimproved
stormwatermanagement,onsitesepticmaintenanceandupgrades,andwastewater
P a g e |36
treatmentupgradeswillbetargetedforimplementationwithin10yearsoftheapprovalof
theaddendum.
6543ofacresofcovercropsimplemented(approximately654peryearfor10years)
43,000acresofagriculturallandswithvegetativefilterstrips(4300peryearfor10
years)
15874acresofnotillcrops(1500/yr.for10years)
ReducingLivestockaccesstostreamson25%ofhayandpasturelands(7956acres,790
acresperyearfor10years.)
Riparianbufferson10acresofriparianlandsintheMillCreeksubwatershed.
Comprehensivenutrientmanagementplansandimplementation(22,456acres,2200
acresperyearfor10years.)
23Wastewatertreatmentupgradesandmaintenanceprojectswillbeimplementedat
prioritywastewatertreatmentsiteswithin10years,dependingonfundingavailability
andstakeholderparticipation.
2550%ofonsitesepticsystemswillbeimprovedandrunofffromthesesystemswillbe
reducedwithin10years,dependingonfundingavailableandlandownerparticipation.
Greeninfrastructurepracticesimplementedincludingtreeplanting(400acres)rain
gardens(30acres)bioswales(200acres)andpermeablepavement(200acres)within
20years.Halfofthesetargetswillbeimplementedwithin10years.
c. Actionplanforlongtermobjectives
Remainingmiddleprioritysubwatershedprojectswillbetargetedforimplementation
within20yearsoftheapprovaloftheaddendum.
d. Technicalandfinancialassistance
i. Sourcesoftechnicalassistance
Jefferson,Lewis,Oneida,andHerkimerCountySoilandWaterConservationDistricts
workwithagriculturallandownerstoeducate,promote,andprovideassistancein
leveragingfundingforprojectsthatimplementagriculturalbestmanagementpractices.
CostestimatesinthissectionarederivedfromthereferencedocumentinAppendixI,
unlessotherwisenoted.ManagementactionswereidentifiedinsectionX.ofthis
document.SWCDscanworkwithlandownerstoleveragefundingtoimplementBMPs
inprioritysubwatersheds.CountyPlanners,Towns,municipalities,andnotforprofit
organizationscanidentifyopportunitiestoleveragefundingforgreeninfrastructure,
wastewatertreatmentinfrastructure,andonsitesepticinfrastructurepractices:
ii. Estimateoffinancialassistanceneeded
P a g e |37
AgriculturalBestManagementPracticesandgreeninfrastructuremanagementpractices
costestimates,unlessotherwisereferenced,arebasedonthecostestimatesidentified
inappendixI.
Costof6543acresofcovercrops:Thecostofcovercropimplementationisestimated
tobe$73/acreperyear.Basedonthisinformation,theannualcostofimplementing
covercropson6543acreswithinpriorityBlackR.subwatershedswouldbe$477,639.
Costofvegetativefilterstripsfor11,227acres:TheDECestimatesthecostofgrass
bufferimplementationat$147/acre.Thisconsidersthelossofproductionvalueofthe
land.Theannualcostofimplementinggrassbufferson11,227acreswouldbe
$1,650,369.
Costof15874acresofnotillcrops:Thecostofnotillcropsisminimal,andcouldlikely
savecostsduetothenatureofimplementationbeingthatthelandislefttogrow
naturallyratherthantilling.
Costoflivestockexclusionfromstream:$4.26/yr./ft.toinstallandmaintainfencing.
EstimatescouldberefinedbybufferingstreamboundariesadjacentbyAgLandsto
determinehowmanyfeetarealongwaterways.Costtoinstallaroundtheperimeterof
25%ofhay/pasturelandsadjacenttostreams,or7956acres,wouldbe$42,222,492.
Sinceonlyonesidewouldberequiredthatisfacingthestream,thefencingwouldlikely
onlycostonequarterofthis,or$10,555,623.
CostofComprehensiveNutrientManagementPlans:$3.9peracrefor15,912acres
wouldcost$62,056.
CostofforestbufferimplementationinMillCreeksubwatershed:$2310for10acres.
CostofGreeninfrastructureinstallations:
Accordingtothe2007DECStormwatermanagementguidance,raingarden
installationscost$1012persquarefoot($479,160peracre).Installingatotalof40
acresofraingardensinthetop3prioritysubwatershedsatoutfallstoreducerunoff
wouldcost$19,166,400.Perviouspavementinstallationson20acresat$14220/acre
wouldbe$2,844,000.Creatingbioswaleson20acreswouldcost$184,400andplanting
treeson40acreswouldcost$28,000.Totalcostsofgreeninfrastructurepractice
implementationinprioritysubwatershedswouldbe$22,222,800.
Costofsepticsystemmaintenanceandupgrades:Thecostofpumpingonsitesepticsis
$88annually.Thecostofreplacingonsitesepticsisupto$8000.
Wastewatertreatmentupgrades:Estimatedat$200k1Meachdependingonsizeand
ongoinglabor,permittingandmaintenancecosts.Thecostofupgrading5WWTPs
wouldrangefromatleast$15millionormore.
iii. Potentialfundingsourcesforactionplanitems
StateandFederalresourcesarewidelyavailabletosupportimplementationofactions
identifiedinthisplan,includingfundingfromtheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,
UnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculturalandNaturalResourceConservationService,
UnitedStateForestService,StateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationand
P a g e |38
DepartmentofState,aswellastheStateEnvironmentalFacilitiesCorporation.
Additionalinformationonfundingprogramsthatcanbeleveragedtoimplement
managementactionsareavailableinAppendixIV.
e. Evaluationofplanandplanupdates
Annualreportingonimplementationofactionsidentifiedintheplanwillbeachieved
throughtheexistingBlackRiverInitiativeNewsletterandongoingpartneroutreachefforts.
SWCDannualreportswillhighlighteffortstowardsimplementation.Reviewofplanand
implementationeffortswillbecompletedassignificantimplementationoccurstowards
shorttermgoalstoevaluateeffectivenessofpartnersinimplementingactionsandidentify
necessarynextstepsorstrategiestofurtherachievenecessaryactions.
f. Evaluationoftheimplementationactions
Stakeholderswillworkincoordinationtotrackimplementationusingexistingmechanisms,
andqualitativeandquantitativecriteriawillbeusedtoevaluatetheeffectivenessof
implementationactions.
i. Mechanismtotrackimplementationactions
SoilandWaterConservationDistrictstrackBMPsimplementedthroughtheAgricultural
EnvironmentalManagementProgram.DECregulatoryprogramstrackprogressof
municipalitiesmeetingregulatoryprograms.Stakeholderswillworkcollaborativelyto
developreportsonprogressasimplementationactivitiesoccur,throughexisting
outreachmechanismssuchastheBlackRiverInitiativenewsletter.Intrackingresultsof
theseactivities,thefollowingcriteriawillbeconsidered:
Qualitativeevaluationcriteria
Itisanticipatedthatcontinuedbeneficialusesincludingdrinkingwater,swimming,
fishing,andcontactrecreationwithintheBlackRiverWatershedwillberestored,
improvedormaintained.Waterqualitycomplaintsbyareauserswillbeminimized.
BeneficialuseswillbemonitoredthroughtheNYSDECwaterqualitymonitoringand
protectionofwatersprograms.
Quantitativeevaluationcriteria
Theaveragekg/acreofnitrogenandphosphorusloadingthresholdsidentifiedinthe
Planwillbeusedtodetermineifloadreductionsarebeingachievedovertime.The
averagenitrogenloadsthresholdis3.49kg/acre,andaveragephosphorusloads
thresholdsis.12kg/acre.Thosewatershedsthathaveaverageloadsthatareabove
thesethresholds(LowerBlackR.,MillCreek,andLowerMiddleBlackRiver,)are
anticipatedtohaveaverageloadsbelowthesethresholdswithin20years.
P a g e |39
FortheLowerBlackRiverwatershed,phosphorusloadingafterAgBMPandgreen
infrastructureimplementationisestimatedtobe5758kg/yr.or.14kg/acre.Lower
MiddleBlackRiverphosphorusloadingisestimatedtobe6421kg/yr.(.12kg/acre
andunderthreshold).MillCreekphosphorusloadingisestimatedtobe3518kg/yr.
or.15kg/acreandnitrogenloadisestimatedtobe85686kg/yr.(3.39kg/acrewhich
isunderthreshold).Notethatinclusionofgroundwaterwouldleadtofurther
reductionsandthatthenewloadingswouldlikelybelowerthanthethresholdafter
implementationofthesemanagementpractices.Futuremodelingwithin10years
orassignificantimplementationhasoccurredwilldemonstrateloadingasbeing
reduced,withthetargetbeingbelowthethreshold,dependentonavailabilityof
technicalandfinancialresources.
Stormwatermanagementwillreduceloadingfromhighandlowintensity
developmentbyinstallinggreeninfrastructureandmeetingMinimumcontrol
measuresoftheMS4requirements.Successfulimplementationofgreen
infrastructurepracticesdependonfundingavailableandlocalstakeholderand
privatelandownerparticipation,whichwillbepromoted.
WastewatertreatmentupgradesSPDESmonitoringwillensureeffluentiswithin
acceptablelevels(85%reductionorgreater;1mg/l).
Onsitesepticmaintenanceandupgradesfuturewaterqualitymonitoringwill
indicatereducedloadsfromsepticsystemsandremovalasasourceofimpairment,
aswellasreducingissuesofdrinkingwatercontaminationandloweringcostsof
treatment.
ii. Monitoringplan
TheNYSDECRotatingIntegratedBasinStudies31(RIBS)assesseswaterqualityofall
watersofthestate,includingthedocumentationofgoodqualitywatersandthe
identificationofwaterqualityproblems;identifieslongtermwaterqualitytrends;
characterizesnaturallyoccurringorbackgroundconditions;andestablishesbaseline
conditionsforuseinmeasuringtheeffectivenessofsitespecificrestorationand
protectionactivities.ParametersmonitoredbytheRIBSassessmentsincludeTotal
Phosphorus,TotalNitrogen,TotalSuspendedSolids,streamchemistry,toxicity,
aquaticlife,andstreamcondition.Theprogramisdesignedsothatallmajor
drainagebasinsinthestatearemonitoredevery5years.TheBlackRiverwillbe
studiedagainfrom20172019,andfrom20222024.Resultsfromthesestudiesare
usedtodevelopthestateprioritywaterbodieslist.DECandpartnerswillcompare
resultsoffuturewaterqualityreportsagainstpriorreportstodetermineprogressof
effortstoimprovewaterqualityfromimplementationofmanagementactions
identifiedinthisaddendum.Itisanticipatedthatthemanagementactionswillbegin
toreflectimprovedwaterqualityinthebasinwhenstudiesareconductedin2022
2024,andinmonitoringnutrienttrendswilldemonstratereducedphosphorus,
nitrogen,andsedimentloadingwithinthissamplingtimeframeasaresultofthe
implementationofmanagementpractices.Thedelistingofimpairedwaterwaysor
P a g e |40
improvedconditionofwaterways(i.e.impairedwaterwayimprovestohavingminor
impacts)withintheBlackRiverwatershedontheprioritywaterbodieslistwill
additionallydemonstratetheeffectivenessofmanagementactions.Stakeholders
involvedwithprofessionalwaterqualitydatacollectioneffortscanconsider
participatinginDECsProfessionalExternalEvaluatorsofRiversandStreams34
programtoensurethatthedatatheycollectisincludedandusedinstatewidewater
qualitymonitoringandmanagementefforts.
TheDECsWaterAssessmentsbyVolunteerEvaluators(WAVE)programengages
citizensinmonitoringecologicalconditionstodeterminewaterqualityinlocal
watersheds.Theprogramtrainscitizenvolunteerstoassessconditionsoflocal
waterwaysandidentifymacroinvertebratesthatcanbeusedtodeterminewater
quality.Citizenscanreportconcerns,suchasstreambankerosionandhigh
abundanceofpollutiontolerantmacroinvertebratessuchasleechesandworms,
andlowabundanceofintolerantmacroinvertebratessuchasmayfliesand
dragonflies.ThisinformationisusedbytheDECRIBSprogramtoprioritizesitesthat
needtobestudiedtofurtheridentifyandaddresswaterqualityissues.Monitoring
bycitizenscientistsafterimplementationofmanagementactionsin10ormore
yearswilldemonstratethatmacroinvertebratestolerantofimprovedwaterquality
areabletosurviveandthriveinstreamswithintheprioritysubwatersheds.
XI.References,MapsandDataSources
References:
1
BergmannandAssociates.2010.BlackRiverWatershedManagementPlan.TugHillCommission.
http://www.tughill.org/projects/blackriverprojects/watershedinitiative/
NewYorkStateDepartmentofState.OfficeofCoastal,LocalgovernmentandCommunity
Sustainability.2009.Guidebook:WatershedPlans;ProtectingandRestoringWaterQuality.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=9&ved=0ahUKEwimnOKsk
vPKAhUIPD4KHdk
AzUQFghUMAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dos.ny.gov%2Fopd%2Fprograms%2Fpdfs%2FGuidebooks%2
Fwatershed%2FWatershedPlansGuidebook%2520wo%2520secretary.pdf&usg=AFQjCNHFNoa0aajK9
LXuRLWkO5FeWmVvQ
3
OceanandGreatLakesEcosystemConservationActof2006.ECLArticle14.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0ahUKEwjet9fP97
PLAhVBez4KHZ6BDowQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dos.ny.gov%2Fopd%2Fprograms%2Fpdfs
%2FECL_Article14.pdf&usg=AFQjCNEuta6De_XnqARuaxFkwey2eXQ9GQ
4
EPA.GreatLakesWaterQualityAgreement.2012.https://www.epa.gov/glwqa
EPA.LakeOntarioLakewideActionandManagementPlan(LAMP).
http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/lakeontario
P a g e |41
EPA.LakeOntarioBiodiversityConservationStrategy.2011.
http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/implementinglakeontariolampbiodiversityconservationstrategy
U.S.Census.2010.http://www.census.gov/
DEC.2015.StormwaterMS4PermitandForms.http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/43150.html
NYSDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation.2015.StatePollutantDischargeEliminationSystem
permittingprogram.http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6054.html
11
JeffersonCountySoilandWaterConservationDistrict.2015.http://www.jeffersoncountyswcd.org/
12
JeffersonCountyStormwaterCoalition.2015.http://www.jcnystormwater.com/
13
DEC.2015.WaterQualityImprovementProgram.http://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/4774.html
14
U.S.ForestService.2015.GreatLakesRestorationInitiative.
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/watershed/gl_restore_initiative.shtm
15
TheCityofWatertown,NY.2015.SewageTreatmentPlant.https://www.watertown
ny.gov/index.asp?NID=684
16
EPA.SummaryoftheCleanWaterAct.33U.S.C.S1251etseq(1972).https://www.epa.gov/laws
regulations/summarycleanwateract
17
NYSERDA.2016.ProgramsandServices.http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/AllPrograms
18
TheCityofWatertown,NY.2015.WaterTreatmentPlant.https://www.watertown
ny.gov/index.asp?NID=178
19
DEC.2015.ProtectionofWatersProgram.ECLArticle15.http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6042.html
20
DEC.2016.CAFOpermittingprogram.http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6285.html
21
LewisCountySoilandWaterConservationDistrict.2015.http://www.lewiscountysoilandwater.com/
22
NYSSoilandWaterConservationCommittee.2015.AgriculturalEnvironmentalManagementProgram.
http://www.nyssoilandwater.org/aem/
23
USDANRCS.2015.NationalConservationPracticeStandards.
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/technical/references/?cid=nrcsdev11_0010
20
24
EPA.SuperfundProgram:CrownCleanersofWatertown,Inc.
https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0204284
25
DEC.2015.NortheastRegionalMercuryTMDL.http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/31304.html
26
DEC.2015.PartnershipsforRegionalInvasiveSpeciesManagement.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/47433.html
P a g e |42
27
EPA.2008.Handbookfordevelopingwatershedplanstorestoreandprotectourwaters.Section
6:NineMinimumElementstobeincludedinWatershedManagementPlans.WashingtonD.C.:
EPA841B08002.
28
NYSDEC.2015.SewagePollutionRighttoKnowLaw.http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/90315.html
29
NaturalResourceConservationService.WebSoilSurvey.
http://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm
30
DEC.2015.WaterQualityStandardsprogram.http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/23853.html
31
DEC.2015.RotatingIntegratedBasinStudies.http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/30951.html
32
DEC.2015.WaterAssessmentsbyVolunteerEvaluators(WAVE).
http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/92229.html
33
DEC.2015.CitizenStatewideLakeAssessmentProgram.http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/81576.html
34
DEC.2015.ProfessionalExternalEvaluatorsofRiversandStreamsprogram.
35
DEC.2014.NYSSection303(d)ListofImpaired/TMDLwaters.
36
DEC.2007.BlackRiverWatershed.PriorityWaterbodiesList.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/48374.html
37
FingerLakes,LakeOntarioWatershedProtectionAlliance.TheStateoftheNewYorkLakeOntario
Basin:ReportonWaterResourcesandLocalWatershedManagementPrograms.2000.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=3&ved=0ahUKEwixqpnftv
_KAhWBpR4KHVkfDdsQFggoMAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fllowpa.org%2FDocuments%2Fstatebasin.
pdf&usg=AFQjCNGxeIP3LOpKNISUTLAjEfC0LcbA
38
NYS.2014.InterimGreatLakesActionAgenda.http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/91881.html
39
Macarewiczetal.2012.LakeOntarioPhosphorusLoading.ResearchSummaryLakeScientist.
http://www.lakescientist.com/researchsummarylakeontariophosphorusloading/
40
DEC.2015.LongTermControlPlan.http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/48985.html
41
DEC.2015.StatewidePollutionDischargeEliminationSystemprogram.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6054.html
42
UnitedStatesGeologicalSurvey.2015.HydrologicUnitCodes.https://water.usgs.gov/GIS/huc.html
43
USDANRCS.2015.NationalConservationPracticeStandards.
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/technical/cp/ncps/
44
NYSEnvironmentalFacilitiesCorporation.2016.CleanWaterStateRevolvingFund.
http://www.efc.ny.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=82
P a g e |43
45
UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.WaterPollutionControlSection106Grants.2015.
http://www2.epa.gov/waterpollutioncontrolsection106grants/learnaboutwaterpollutioncontrol
section106grant
46
OnondagaCountypublichealthLaw.2005.Chapter3PublicWatersupplies.Sec131.2,131.3,131.50.
http://www.syracuse.ny.us/Pdfs/Water/WatershedRules.pdf
47
DEC.2013.SewagePollutionRighttoKnowLaw.http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/90315.html
48
EPA.2015.GreenInfrastructureCollaborative.https://www.epa.gov/greeninfrastructure/green
infrastructurecollaborative
49
NYSDEC.2010.GreenInfrastructureforStormwaterManagementDesignManual.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/swdm2010chptr5.pdf
50
USEPA.Water:GreenInfrastructure;ModelingTools.2015.
http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/greeninfrastructure/gi_modelingtools.cfm
51
NYSSoilandWaterConservationCommittee.2015.CountyWaterQualityCoordinatingCommittees.
http://www.nyssoilandwater.org/cwqcc/index.html
IV.Appendices
AppendixI:Estimatesofcosttoinstallmanagementmeasuresonagriculturallandandthephosphorusandsediment
loadreductionsestimatedforbasinwideimplementation.Costsareannualizedovertheexpectedlifeoftheproject
(Devereux&Rigelman,2014).
ManagementPractice
BarnyardRunoffControl
Bioretention/raingardens
Bioswale
CoverCrop
Dirt&GravelRoadErosion&
SedimentControl
DryPonds
ForestBuffers
GrassBuffers
IntensiveRotationalGrazing
LandRetirementtopasture
NutrientManagementPlan
PermeablePavement
PrescribedGrazing
SepticConnection
Lifespan
Years
15
25
50
1
Unit
acre
acre
acre
acre
20
50
75
10
3
10
3
20
3
25
feet
acre
acre
acre
acre
acre
acre
acre
acre
system
Annual Annual
Nitrogen
Cost
Reduction
$/unit lb./unit
567
83.6
1127
9.9
922
8.7
73
10.5
0.83
365
231
147
74
169
3.9
14220
13
527
0.0
2.5
34.0
28.1
0.6
33.5
1.2
9.9
0.6
8.2
Annual
Phosphorus
Reduction
lb./unit
12.6
1.0
0.9
0.1
Annual
Sediment
Reduction
lb./unit
237.0
737.6
655.7
76.2
0.0
0.2
1.5
1.0
0.2
1.5
0.1
0.9
0.2
5.3
2.4
491.7
758.2
518.9
55.4
683.3
0.0
696.6
55.4
0.0
P a g e |44
SepticPumping
StormwaterRetrofit
StreamFencing
StreamRestorationAg
StreamRestorationUrban
StreetSweeping25timesa
year
TreePlanting
WetPonds
WetlandRestoration
3
10
10
20
20
system
acre
acre
feet
feet
20
75
50
15
acre
acre
acre
acre
88
1545
5307
6.92
60
0.4
3.0
53.0
0.3
0.2
0.3
0.4
6.3
0.1
0.1
0.0
569.3
2388.1
51.3
53.0
916
70
352
544
0.4
11.1
2.5
10.3
0.1
0.4
0.5
0.5
177.1
318.0
491.7
264.2
AppendixII.FundingResources
Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Funding Programs
Updated December 2015
Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) Program
Eligible applicants: Municipalities, municipal corporations, soil and water conservation
districts.
Summary of program: Provides funding statewide for non-agricultural nonpoint source projects
implementing best management practices.
Project state funded: Implementation.
Frequency grant released: Annual
Tracking/reports: Awarded projects are listed in press releases for each round, and the press
release is posted on the DEC website. Quarterly reports and final reports are required from
grant recipients.
Website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/4774.html
Contact: Susan Van Patten, Division of Water, 518-402-8179, DOWinformation@dec.ny.gov
Clean Water Act Section 604(b) Funding
Eligible applicants: Regional public comprehensive planning organizations in New York State
and interstate planning organizations working in New York State.
Summary program: Provides funding for to regional planning organizations for planning
activities.
Project stage funded: Planning.
Frequency grant released: Every 3-5 years.
Tracking/reports: All awarded projects are listed on the below website, and progress is tracked
with quarterly reports submitted by the award recipient.
Website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/53122.html

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Finger Lakes Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance (FLLOWPA)
Eligible applicants: 25 counties in the Finger Lakes and Lake Ontario watershed receive
FLLOWPA funding. Those eligible to receive a portion of the funding distributed to the 25
counties varies by county.
Summary program: FLLOWPA is a membership of 25 counties, represented by County
Planning Departments, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, County Health Departments and
Water Quality Management Agencies within the Finger Lakes and Lake Ontario drainage basin.
FLLOWPA receives an annual appropriation from the Environmental Protection Fund, which is
divided among the 25 counties. Each county then uses that funding to implement water qualityrelated programs and projects. Some counties have funded green infrastructure projects with
their portion of the funding. How the counties disburse their funding for particular projects varies
by county. Interested municipalities or others interested in receiving funding from a FLLOWPA
county should contact the appropriate county coordinator found on this webpage:
http://www.fllowpa.org/county.html.
Project stage funded: Planning, pilot and implementation.
Frequency grant released: Annually.
Tracking/reports: N/A.
Website: http://www.fllowpa.org/index.html.
Urban & Community Forestry Program Cost Share Grants

Eligible applicants: Municipalities and not-for-profit corporations acting on behalf of a public
ownership interest in the property or acting on behalf of a public property owner.
Summary of program: Street tree planting, one eligible project type, may fit well with green
infrastructure projects.
Project stage funded: Implementation
Frequency grant released: Varies.
Tracking/reports: Not available at this time.
Website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5285.html
Contact: Debra Gorka, Division of Lands and Forests, DEC, LF.Lands@dec.ny.gov, 716-8517010
Environmental Facilities Corporation Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP)
Eligible applicants: Any county, city, town, village, district corporation, county or town
improvement district, Indian reservation wholly within NYS, any public benefit corporation,
public authority and certain New York State agencies, as well as other organizations
empowered to develop a project, as described on the below website.
Summary of program: Provides funding for eight specific green infrastructure practices:
permeable pavement; bio-retention; green roofs and green walls; stormwater street trees/urban
forestry programs; riparian buffers, floodplains and/or wetlands; downspout disconnection;
stream daylighting; and stormwater harvesting and reuse.
Project stage funded: Planning, pilot and implementation. All projects must include
implementation.

P a g e |46
Tracking/reports: Previously funded projects are posted on this website:

http://www.efc.ny.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=228.
Website: http://www.efc.ny.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=461
Contact: Suzanna Randall, New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, 518-4027461, GIGP@efc.ny.gov
Department of State Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) Grants
Eligible applicants: Villages, towns, or cities, and counties which are located along New Yorks
costs or inland waterways designated pursuant to Executive Law, Article 42.
Summary of program: The LWRP grant program provides matching grants on a competitive
basis to revitalize communities and waterfronts. Funding is available for both planning and
implementation, and funded projects may include green infrastructure components.
Project stage funded: Planning and implementation.
Tracking/reports: The list of awards for each year are listed on the below website.
Website: http://www.dos.ny.gov/opd/grantOpportunities/epf_lwrpGrants.html
Contact: Department of Planning and Development, New York State Department of State, 518474-6000
NYS Energy, Research and Development Authority Cleaner Greener Communities
Program Phase II Implementation Grants
Eligible applicants: Local governments, private companies, non-governmental organizations,
and other entities with projects in NYS.
Summary of program: This program is an effort to fund implementation of large-scale, highprofile projects that support the goals of each regions sustainability planning efforts. Category 2
(Planning Initiatives) Projects may include green infrastructure planning. Some Category 3
(Community-Scale Sustainability) Projects are required to meet green infrastructure
prerequisites.
Project stage funded: Planning, pilot and implementation.
Frequency grant released: The current application due date for categories 2 and 3 has
passed. NYSERDA expects to offer up to two more rounds of funding for this grant, but when
future rounds may be announced is uncertain.
Tracking/reports: N/A at this time.
Website: http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Cleaner-GreenerCommunities/Implementing-Smart-Development-Projects
Contact: New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, CGC@nyserda.ny.gov
NYS Homes & Community Renewal Community Development Block Grant Public
Infrastructure Funds
Eligible applicants: Town, City or Villages with population less than 50,000, counties with a
population less than 200,000 designated principal cities of Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Summary of program: Funding is available for drinking water, clean water and stormwater;
and public works. Green infrastructure components may be a part of these larger public
infrastructure projects.
Tracking/reports: Award recipients are listed on this website:
http://www.nyshcr.org/Programs/NYS-CDBG/FundingHistory.htm#2010

P a g e |47
Website:
http://www.nyshcr.org/AboutUs/Offices/CommunityRenewal/FundingOpportunities.htm
Contact: New York State Homes and Community Renewal, Office of Community Renewal, 518474-2057, HCRinfo@nyshcr.org
Greenway Communities Grant Program
Eligible applicants: Municipalities that have adopted a resolution stating the communitys
agreement with the Greenway criteria.
Summary of program: Site planning/design projects may include green infrastructure.
Project stage funded: Planning
Frequency grant released: Quarterly
Tracking/reports: http://www.hudsongreenway.ny.gov/GrantFunding/GrantsAwarded.aspx
Website: http://www.hudsongreenway.ny.gov/GrantFunding/CommunityGrants.aspx
Contact: Hudson River Valley Greenway, 518-473-3835, hrvg@hudsongreenway.ny.gov
EPA Urban Waters Small Grants
Eligible applicants: States, local governments, territories, Indian Tribes, and possessions of
the U.S., public and private universities and colleges, public or private nonprofit
institutions/organizations, intertribal consortia, and interstate agencies.
Summary of program: Grants are available to fund research, investigations, experiments,
training, surveys, studies, and demonstrations that will advance the restoration of urban waters
by improving water quality through activities that also support community revitalization and other
local priorities. Depending on each fiscal years Request for Proposals, this may include green
infrastructure.
Project stage funded: Planning, pilot, implementation
Frequency grant released: Varies.
Tracking/reports: All projects documented on website. Outcomes of some successful projects
are documented on the website.
Website: http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaters/urban-waters-small-grants
Contact: Not available.
EPA Great Lakes Shoreline Cities Green Infrastructure Grants
Eligible applicants: Cities with shoreline that directly touches one of the Great Lakes or a
connecting channel, with a population greater than 25,000 and less than 50,000.
Summary of program: Grants to eligible shoreline cities to fund green infrastructure projects
that will improve Great Lakes water quality. Green infrastructure projects must be within mile
of the shoreline of a Great Lake or connecting channel. Available funding for each application
was capped at $250,000.
Frequency grant released: Two rounds have been awarded so far, and have been on an
annual basis.
Tracking/reports: Funded projects are documented on the below website.
Website: http://www.epa.gov/grtlakes/fund/shoreline/index.html
Contact: Michael Russ, EPA, 312-886-4013, russ.michael@epa.gov
EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)

P a g e |48
Eligible applicants: Non-federal governmental entities, including state agencies, interstate

agencies, federal-recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and local governments;
institutions of higher learning; and nonprofit organizations. In 2014, green infrastructure projects
conducted by a municipality located directly on the shore of a Great Lake or a Great Lakes
connecting channel are ineligible. Green infrastructure projects conducted by other eligible
applicants are eligible.
Summary of program: Green infrastructure projects that improve habitat and other ecosystem
functions in the Great Lakes are eligible for funding.
Project stage funded: Planning and implementation.
Tracking/reports: Summary information about GLRI funded projects is available on the Great
Lakes Restoration Initiative website: http://greatlakesrestoration.us/projects/index.html.
Website: http://www.epa.gov/grtlakes/fund/2014rfa02/index.html
Contact: EPA, GLRI-RFA@epa.gov S. Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry
Challenge Cost Share Grant Program
Eligible applicants: U.S. non-Federal organizations and Tribal agencies.
Summary of program: The fiscal year 2015 grant included funding for: incorporating urban
forests as green infrastructure into urban planning practices that will result in improvements for
ecologically underserved communities and regions; green infrastructure jobs analysis; and
utilizing green infrastructure to manage and mitigate stormwater to improve water quality.
Projects must have national or multi-state application and impact.
Project stage funded: Planning and pilot.
Tracking/reports: Grant recipients and projects are listed in a press release for each funding
period, and recipients are required to submit bi-annual progress reports.
Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/nucfac.shtml
Contact: Phillip Rodbell, U.S. Forest Service Northeastern Area Office, 610-557-4133,
prodbell@fs.fed.us
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Environmental Solutions for Communities

Eligible applicants: Non-profit 501 organizations, state government agencies, local
governments, municipal governments, Indian tribes, and educational institutions.
Summary of program: Funding priorities include facilitating investments in green infrastructure.
In 2015, priority is given to projects that address greening traditional infrastructure and public
projects such as storm water management and flood control, public park enhancements, and
renovations to public facilities.
Project stage funded: Pilot.
Tracking/reports: Award recipients are listed in a press release for each funding period.
Website: http://www.nfwf.org/environmentalsolutions/Pages/home.aspx#.VDbjf1OZ1gp
Contact: Carrie Clingan, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, carrie.clingan@nfwf.org
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Urban Waters Restoration
Eligible applicants: Any entity that can receive grants. While partnerships are encouraged to
include state and federal agencies as partners, those entities may not serve as the grantee

P a g e |49
unless the community partners demonstrate that the state or federal agency is best suited to
coordinate the community-based project.
Summary of program: In 2014, project priorities include addressing developing educational
programs to provide training to schools, businesses, community groups and homeowners on
how to implement green infrastructure practices including sustainable forestry practices; or
designing projects intended to control rain water though green infrastructure tools such as tree
canopy, permeable pavement, green street designs, bioswales, planter boxes and green roofs,
to reduce stormwater flow, controlling flooding and slowing run-off into surface water.
Project stage funded: Planning.
Tracking/reports: Award recipients are listed in a press release for each funding period.
Website: http://www.nfwf.org/fivestar/Pages/home.aspx#.VDblP1OZ1gp
Contact: Sarah McIntosh, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, sarah.mcintosh@nfwf.org
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grants

Eligible applicants: States, local governments, tribes, private non-profit organizations
Summary of program: Provides grants to states and local governments to implement longterm hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. FEMA Hazard Mitigation
grants will fund green infrastructure if a benefit-cost analysis shows that the damages saved
from the project exceed the cost of the project.
Project stage funded: Planning and implementation
Frequency grant released: Following a disaster declaration, the state will advertise that
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding is available to fund mitigation projects in the state.
Tracking/reports: N/A
Website: https://www.fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-grant-program
Contact: Richard Lord, New York State Office of Emergency Management, 518-292-2370,
rlord@dhses.ny.gov
Agricultural Nonpoint Source Funding Programs

New York State Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Program
Eligible
applicants:
County Soil and Water Conservation Districts administer and implement

AEM at the local level through. SWCDs engage local partners such as
Cooperative Extension, NRCS, AEM Certified Planners, Certified Crop
Advisors, USDA Technical Service Providers, and agri-businesses
Summary of
program:
The New York State Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM)

Program supports farmers in their efforts to protect water quality and
conserve natural resources, while enhancing farm viability. New Yorks AEM
Program helps farmers protect water quality by providing a framework to
assess environmental stewardship and coordinate technical and financial
assistance from the Federal, State, and local levels to address priority water
quality issues on the farm.
Website:
www.nys-soilandwater.org
P a g e |50
Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program (ANSACP)

Eligible
applicants:
Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Summary of
program:
Competitive financial assistance program available to Soil and Water

Conservation Districts that provides funding to plan, design, and implement
priority BMPs, as well as cost-share funding to farmers to implement BMPs.
Website:
www.nyssoilandwater.org/aem/nonpoint.html
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Programs

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
Eligible
applicants:
Landowners with eligible land
Summary of
program:
CRP is a voluntary program for agricultural landowners. Through CRP,

farmers can receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to
establish long-term, resource conserving covers on eligible farmland.
Website:
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservationprograms/conservation-reserve-program/index
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)

Eligible
applicants:
Summary of
program:
The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is an offshoot of

the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). CREP targets high-priority
conservation issues identified by local, state, or tribal governments or nongovernmental organizations. In exchange for removing environmentally
sensitive land from production and introducing conservation practices,
farmers, ranchers, and agricultural land owners are paid an annual rental
rate and incentive payments.
Website:
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservationprograms/conservation-reserve-enhancement/index
Debt for Nature (DFN) Program

Eligible
applicants:
Landowners with eligible FSA loans and land
P a g e |51
Summary of
program:
Debt for Nature (DFN) is available to persons with Farm Service Agency
(FSA) loans secured by real estate. These individuals may qualify for
cancellation of a portion of their FSA indebtedness in exchange for a
conservation contract with a term of 50, 30, or 10 years. The conservation
contract is a voluntary legal agreement that restricts the type and amount of
development that may take place on portions of the landowners property.
Contracts may be established on marginal cropland and other
environmentally sensitive lands for conservation, recreation, and wildlife
purposes.
Website:
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/debtfornature07.pdf
Farmable Wetlands Program (FWP)

Eligible
applicants:
Summary of
program:
Website:

The Farmable Wetlands Program (FWP) is a voluntary program is designed
to restore previously farmed wetlands and wetland buffer to improve both
vegetation and water flow. Participants must agree to restore the wetlands,
establish plant cover, and to not use enrolled land for commercial purposes.
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservationprograms/farmable-wetlands/index
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Programs

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
Eligible
applicants:
Summary of
program:
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides financial

and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands
and their related benefits. Under the Agricultural Land Easements
component, NRCS helps Indian tribes, state and local governments and
non-governmental organizations protect working agricultural lands and limit
non-agricultural uses of the land. Under the Wetlands Reserve Easements
component, NRCS helps to restore, protect and enhance enrolled wetlands.
Website:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/easement
s/acep/
Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Program
P a g e |52
Eligible
applicants:
Summary of
program:
The Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) provides financial and

technical assistance to agricultural producers to voluntarily address issues
such as water management, water quality, and erosion control by
incorporating conservation into their farming operations.
Website:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/a
ma/
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

Eligible
applicants:
Summary of
program:
The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps agricultural producers

maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt
additional conservation activities to address priority resources concerns.
Website:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/c
sp/
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Eligible
applicants:
Summary of
program:
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary

program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural
producers to plan and implement conservation practices that improve soil,
water, plant, animal, air and related natural resources on agricultural land
and non-industrial private forestland. EQIP may also help producers meet
Federal, State, Tribal, and local environmental regulations.
Website:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/ny/programs/financial/eqip/
Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP)

Eligible
applicants:
P a g e |53
Summary of
program:
The purpose of the Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) is to assist

landowners, on a voluntary basis, in restoring, enhancing and protecting
forestland resources on private lands through easements, 30-year contracts
and 10-year cost-share agreements.
Website:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/easement
s/forests/
Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)

Eligible
applicants:
Agricultural or silvicultural producer associations, farmer cooperatives or

other groups of producers, state or local governments, American Indian
tribes, municipal water treatment entities, water and irrigation districts,
conservation-driven nongovernmental organizations and institutions of
higher education
Summary of
program:
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) promotes

coordination between Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and
its partners to deliver conservation assistance to producers and landowners.
NRCS provides assistance to producers through partnership agreements
and through program contracts or easement agreements.
Website:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/farmbill/rc
pp/
Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program

Eligible
applicants:
States, local governments and Tribes
Summary of
program:
The Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program

provides technical and financial assistance to plan and implement
authorized watershed project plans for the purpose of: watershed protection,
flood mitigation, water quality improvements, soil erosion reduction, rural,
municipal and industrial water supply, irrigation, water management,
sediment control, fish and wildlife enhancement, and hydropower.
Website:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape
/wfpo/
Wastewater Infrastructure Funding Opportunities

Updated September 2014
Introduction
This document summarizes the funding opportunities that may be available to communities to fund
sewering projects and/or build a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).
Sewering is expensive, but is a critical part of improving water quality as outlined in many clean water
implementation plans. The success of moving forward with a sewering project depends on the level of
local support. By sharing funding and assistance information with these communities early in the process,
they may be more willing to consider sewering.
P a g e |54
Having a rough schedule for a sewering project may help with local understanding of a project. Below is a
typical schedule:
Developing interest and coordination between impacted municipalities (1 yr)

Conducting an initial feasibility study (1 yr)
Executing an inter-municipal agreement and forming a sewer district (2 yrs)
Securing funding (3 yrs)
Developing the project design and implementing the project (3 yrs)
Funding or technical assistance may be available for any of the above steps. The funding opportunities
described in this document are competitive and open/available to all eligible applicants. Please note that
none of the funding sources described below are certain.
Key Terms
Grants do not need to be repaid, but a match from the applicant may be required
Loans need to be repaid over a given time period. Interest rates from 0% and up.
Engineering Planning Grant (EPG)

Administered by: New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) and New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
Program Description: Funding for municipalities to complete preliminary engineering reports. Most
communitys first step for building a WWTP is to complete a preliminary engineering report. The report
provides a municipality with information about the feasibility and cost of a project. An engineering report is
also necessary for projects to be listed on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan.
Eligibility for other funding sources may also require a preliminary engineering report. EPG funds are
available for municipalities that need to construct or improve their municipal wastewater system. Grant
funds can be used to pay for engineering and/or consultant fees for engineering and planning services for
the production of an engineering report. Eligible applicants are municipalities with Median Household
Income statistics (per 2010 Census data) equal to or less than $65,000.
Funding available: Grants up to $50,000. Municipalities with a total population of 50,000 persons or
greater are eligible to receive up to $50,000. Municipalities with a population of less than 50,000 are
eligible to receive a maximum grant award of $30,000. Grant recipients are required to provide a local
match equal to 20% of the total cost of the engineering planning activity.
Applying: Applications are through the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA). Information on the CFA
process can be found on the Regional Economic Development Council website at:
http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/
Contacts: DEC Regional Water Engineers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/558.html)
http://www.efc.ny.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=485
P a g e |55
Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)

Administered by: New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) and New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
Program Description: This program provides low-interest rate financing (loans) to municipalities for the
construction of sewers and wastewater treatment facilities.
Funding available: Various categories of loans: subsidized interest rate financing, market rate financing,
hardship financing and additional subsidization/principal forgiveness. Short term financing for project
development and construction, as well as long term financing, may be available to eligible applicants. For
communities with demonstrated financial hardship, interest rates can be as low as 0%.
Applying: Applicants must submit project information to EFC prior to May 1st to be considered for
financing in the following federal fiscal year, which begins in October. All eligible projects are scored and
listed in EFCS Intended Use Plan Annual List or Multi-Year List. Applications for financing may be
submitted for projects on that years annual list for subsidized or unsubsidized funding. EFC should be
contacted for details on the information needed for project listing and funding applications.
Contacts: EFC Community Assistance staff:
Fred Testa
Environmental Project Manager
625 Broadway -7th Floor
Albany, N.Y. 12207-2997
(p) 518-402-7396; (f) 518-402-7456; email: Fred.Testa@efc.ny.gov
Counties covered: Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester, Albany,
Columbia, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Schoharie
J.C. Smith
Environmental Project Manager, Statewide Co-funding Coordinator
7291 Coon Road
Bath, N.Y. 14810
(p) 607-776-4978; (f) 607-776-4392; email: JC.Smith@efc.ny.gov
Counties covered: Chemung, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Steuben,
Schuyler, Wayne, Yates, Allegany, Cattaraugus,
Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara, and Wyoming
Terry Deuel
1285 Fisher Ave.
Cortland, NY 13045
(p)607-753-3095, ext 252; (f) 607-753-8532; email: Terrance.Deuel@efc.ny.gov
Counties covered: Delaware, Otsego, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida, Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland,
Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Tioga, and Tompkins
Jason Denno
PO Box 220, 232 Golf Course Road
Warrensburg, N.Y. 12885
(p) 518-623-1244; (f) 518-623-1311; email: Jason.Denno@efc.ny.gov
P a g e |56
Counties covered: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren, Washington, Herkimer,
and St. Lawrence
Dwight Brown
SRF Program Services Coordinator
625 Broadway -7th Floor
Albany, N.Y. 12207-2997
(p) 518-402-7396; (f) 518-402-7456; email: Dwight.Brown@efc.ny.gov
Counties covered: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, and Suffolk
Website: www.efc.ny.gov
NYS Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

Administered by: New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal - Office of Community
Renewal (OCR)
Program Description: The CDBG provides financial assistance for water and sewer infrastructure
projects to cities, towns, and villages with populations under 50,000 and counties with an area population
under 200,000.
Funding available: Grants are available for public infrastructure projects including wastewater
infrastructure. Grant awards up to $600,000 can be made to a single town or village applicant for a water
or sewer project. Awards up to $900,000 can be made to joint town/village applicants. Up to $750,000
can be awarded to county applicants.
process can be found at: http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/
Contacts: Charles Philion, Senior Community Developer, 518-474-2057 or cphilion@nyshcr.org
Website: http://nysdhcr.gov/AboutUs/Offices/CommunityRenewal/
USDA Rural Development Utilities Service Water and Environment Program

Administered by: USDA Rural Development
Program Description: This program provides loans and grants to public bodies, non-profit organizations
and Native American tribes with the design, construction, and improvements of wastewater systems for
rural communities. Eligibility of municipal applicants is restricted to jurisdictions in rural areas with a total
population less than 10,000.
Funding available: Announced loan rates as of July, 2014 are 2.375% (poverty), 3.25% (intermediate)
and 4% (market).
Applying: Applicants submit an application for an initial funding estimate that includes summary
information about the applicant, a reviewable project engineering report and an Environmental Report
summarizing potential environmental impacts. Applicants receiving an initial funding estimate are directed
to make a full application for funding within 90 days of the estimate date. The major components of the
application are similar to that for the CWSRF program.
P a g e |57
Contacts: State and Regional office information: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/NY_Ofice_Locations.html

Website: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/NYHome.html
Local Government Efficiency Program (LGE)

Administered by: New York State Department of State
Program Description: The LGE provides technical assistance and competitive grants to local
governments for the development of projects that will achieve savings and improve municipal efficiency
through shared services, cooperative agreements, mergers, consolidations and dissolutions. Applicants
must include at least two involved municipalities.
Funding available: Grants of up to $200,000 are available for implementation projects (i.e. construction
of shared infrastructure) for each local government involved in the project, up to a maximum of
$1,000,000. Grants of up to $12,500 are available for planning projects (i.e. development of engineering
reports, evaluation of consolidation) for each local government involved in the project, up to a maximum
of $100,000. A local cash match is required, which varies based on project type.
process can be found on the Regional Economic Development Council website at:
http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/
Contacts: Kyle Wilber, 518-473-3355 or LGEprogram@dos.state.ny.us
Website: http://www.dos.ny.gov/lg/lge/index.html
Water Quality Improvement Projects (WQIP)

Administered by: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
Program Description: WQIP is a competitive, statewide reimbursement grant program open to local
governments for projects that directly address documented water quality impairments. WQIP funds can
be used towards municipal wastewater treatment infrastructure improvement. This can be mentioned as a
potential funding source, but please note that the frequency of grant availability is uncertain, and that the
amount of funding available for wastewater is typically very limited, and likely insufficient for constructing
a new system.
Funding available: Grants up to 85%of the total project cost with a 15% local share required.
Applying: Applications are available through DEC.
Contacts: Water Quality Improvement Project Program, 518-402-8179 or user.water@dec.ny.gov

Nine Key Element Watershed Plan Assessment Form Checklist

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Nine Key Element Watershed Plan Assessment Form Checklist

Black River Nine Element Watershed Management Plan

Phosphorus, Nitrogen and sediment

Addresses watershed with an existing TMDL

Date Approved: ___6/3/2016_________

Directions to the reviewer

Section 1. Qualifications of the plan preparer(s)

1. Was a form submitted?

Section 2. Nine Elements Checklist

Element A. Causes/Sources of Pollution Identified

Element B. Expected Load Reductions for Solutions Identified

1. Are expected load reductions within the accepted range to

Element C. Nonpoint Source Management Measures Identified

5. In selecting and siting the BMPs at the sub-watershed level, are

Element D. Technical and Financial Assistance

a. Is a detailed cost estimate included?

Element F. Implementation Schedule

1. Does the schedule/timeline present projected dates for the

Element G. Milestones Identified

Element H. Criteria to Evaluate Load Reductions

Section 3. Additional documentation

1. Does the plan include a copy or link to a data monitoring quality

2. Does the plan include a copy or link to an electronic copy of a

3. If the plan referenced other reports or plans as the basis for

Appendix B. Summary of Qualifications

Black River Nine Element Plan: Reducing

Date plan submitted:

Complete where applicable.

Completed by Bergmann and Associates

DEC Water Quality Monitoring programs

Contact: Susan Van Patten, Division of Water, 518-402-8179, DOWinformation@dec.ny.gov

Urban & Community Forestry Program Cost Share Grants

Tracking/reports: Previously funded projects are posted on this website:

Eligible applicants: Non-federal governmental entities, including state agencies, interstate

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Environmental Solutions for Communities

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grants

Agricultural Nonpoint Source Funding Programs

County Soil and Water Conservation Districts administer and implement

The New York State Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM)

Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program (ANSACP)

Soil and Water Conservation Districts

Competitive financial assistance program available to Soil and Water

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Programs

Landowners with eligible land

CRP is a voluntary program for agricultural landowners. Through CRP,

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)

Landowners with eligible land

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is an offshoot of

Debt for Nature (DFN) Program

Landowners with eligible FSA loans and land

Farmable Wetlands Program (FWP)

Landowners with eligible land

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Programs

Landowners with eligible land

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides financial

Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Program

Landowners with eligible land

The Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) provides financial and

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

Landowners with eligible land

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps agricultural producers

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Landowners with eligible land

Date Approved: _6/3/2016_______