New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in partnership with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the 10 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) in the Genesee River watershed, announced $525,000 for the Genesee River Watershed Coalition of the Conservation Districts (GRWCCD). This funding will accelerate watershed protection and restoration measures to improve water quality and support healthy, resilient ecosystems. Supporting SWCD programs aligns with recommendations and priorities in the Great Lakes Action Agenda, Lake Ontario Lakewide Area Management Plan, and other initiatives.

Great Lakes Program Director Shannon Dougherty said, “Strategic watershed-based partnerships like the Genesee River Watershed Coalition of the Conservation Districts are essential to protecting Great Lakes water quality and maintaining healthy, resilient working lands. Thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul’s advocacy for the record high Environmental Protection Fund, this capacity funding will support the Coalition’s efforts to work across county boundaries to build lasting partnerships and advance impactful on-the-ground projects to improve the long-term health of the Genesee River watershed and all who rely on it.”

This key investment will support the GRWCCD to build professional capacity, leverage federal resources, and accelerate agricultural and resiliency-related projects to implement State plans to improve water quality in the Genesee River watershed, such as the Genesee River Nine Key Element Watershed Plan for Phosphorus and Sediment. The Genesee River is a federal priority for phosphorus reduction under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI).

Stretching from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario, the 2,500-square-mile Genesee River watershed is an important economic and environmental corridor. It’s 158-mile path, key tributaries (Oatka, Black, Wiscoy, and Canaseraga creeks), as well as significant ponded waters including Silver Lake, Mt. Morris Reservoir, and the four westernmost Finger Lakes (Conesus, Hemlock, Canadice, Honeoye) provide public drinking water, recreation opportunities, and support local agricultural and tourism economies.

New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee Executive Director Bethany Bzduch said, “The Genesee River Watershed Coalition works to address conservation challenges across the entire watershed. Building and supporting staff capacity within the coalition is key to advancing projects that will protect the Genesee River watershed and the long-term sustainability of our natural resources and our agricultural industry. The Department of Agriculture and Markets and the NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee, alongside our partners at DEC and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, are committed to ensuring critical resources, such as this funding, are directed to supporting staff capacity as well as strategic sediment reduction and water quality improvement projects.”

Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District Executive Director Kelly Emerick said, “In 2015, the 10 SWCDs that encompass the Genesee River Watershed established the Coalition for the purpose of unifying their efforts to improve regional coordination of activities and enhance implementation. This funding provided by DEC will allow the GRWCCD to enhance efforts in reducing water quality pollutants entering the Genesee River and enhancing resiliency.”

To learn more about Watershed Coalitions in New York State, please visit: Watershed Management - NYSDEC.