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This issue’s cover photo was taken by Caitlin Stewart, District Manager, Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District. She was out for an early walk with the awesome dog Aretmis, and took this photo on a frigid morning in late March.

Regional Associate Environmental Analysts (AEA’s)are employees of the NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee, a division of the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. AEA’s provide administrative oversight, technical assistance and training to county Soil & Water Conservation Districts

in designing, implementing, and maintaining soil and water conservation programs and projects, including coordinating district activities and programs to ensure optimum use of regional conservation and state / federal fiscal resources and in order to meet changing programmatic needs, priorities, and mandates.

Ronald P. Herman Partners in Conservation Award Al Fagan, District Manager, Wyoming County Soil and Water Conservation District

Victor DiGiacomo has been an AEA in the Western New York Region for over 5 years, having spent 9 years at the Niagara County SWCD beforehand. Since 2013, Victor has assisted the Wyoming County SWCD deliver programs to the residents and farming community of Wyoming County including the Agricultural NonPoint Source Pollution Control & Abatement Program, CAFO Waste Storage & Transfer Program, Climate Resilient Farming Program, Agricultural Environmental Management Program, and many others. Additionally, Victor has assisted the Wyoming County SWCD advance watershed-based programs and goals, as well as assisted with the administration, personnel, budget preparation, director training, job descriptions, and approval of new programs. Victor’s guidance has led to millions of state and federal program dollars being brought into Wyoming County for the implementation of environmental management programs that have impacted not only Wyoming County, but the surrounding region as well.

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The New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee is pleased to welcome Jason Kokkinos as our new Senior Environmental Analyst. Jason will be responsible for program database development, database management, GIS map and storyboard creation,

and assisting with the administration of NYSSWCC programs. Jason brings with him an extensive background in GIS, statistical and environmental analysis. Jason has a master’s degree in Plant and Soil Science and a second master’s

Troy Bishopp aka The Grass Whisperer of the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District is a winner of the National Association of Conservation Districts’ 2018 Photo Contest. NACD facilitates the contest in partnership with the NACD Auxiliary. Troy was awarded the Conservation Practices category award for photography.

New Senior Environmental Analyst Bethany Buzduch , The New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee

degree in Landscape Architecture with a focus in Restoration Ecology. Jason also possesses a bachelor’s degree in Biology. I encourage everyone to reach out and say hello. Welcome Jason!

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40th annual CDEA Awards Banquet

District Director Robert Carpenter, Suffolk County

Special Project Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District for their Chautauqua Creek Fish Passage

Restoration Project

Community Service Michael Clifford, Niagara County

New York State Senate Proclamation Troy Bishopp, Madison County Soil Water for his dedication to the betterment of his

community.

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Partner Appreciation Brian Steinmuller, Assistant Director for the

Division of Land And Water Resources, NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee

40th annual CDEA Awards Banquet

Division I Merit Award Cassandra Pinkoski, Chautauqua County

Division II Merit Award Tucker Kautz, Ontario County

Division III Merit Award Troy Bishopp, Madison County

President’s Award Karl Czymmek, Cornell Pro Dairy

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40th annual CDEA Awards Banquet

Division IV Merit Award Lydia Brinkley, Tioga County

Division V Merit Award Kristin Ballou, Franklin County

Division VI Merit Award Corrina Aldrich, Washington County

Division VII Merit Award Tonnie Sauca Jr., Dutchess County

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40th annual CDEA Awards Banquet

Willard F. Croney Distinguished Service Award James R. Lieberum, Warren County

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2018 NYS CDEA Executive Board and Division Representatives: Front Row: Ann Marie Calabro, Velynda Parker, Chastity Miller, Kristin White, Kelly Emerick, Erin Sommerville Back Row: Steve Lorraine, Kristin

Ballou, Ben Luskin, Doug Kierst, Judy Bennett, Raeanne Dulanski, Caitlin Stewart.

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25 year state of Hamilton County lakes report released Caitlin Stewart, District Manager, Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District

The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District has released The State of Hamilton County Lakes: A 25 Year Perspective 1993 – 2017 report prepared by the Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI). In 1993, the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors recognized the need to protect the county’s vital water resources and contracted with the District to conduct a comprehensive lake monitoring program. From June through August, District technicians monitor 21 lakes once a month at their deepest point. A multi-probe is lowered at 1 meter increments to the bottom of each lake, collecting pH, conductivity, temperature,

turbidity, and dissolved oxygen data. Transparency is measured with a Secchi disk. Water samples are collected for alkalinity, aluminum, calcium, chloride, chlorophyll a, nitrate + nitrite, total phosphorus, and sodium, and sent to the AWI for analysis. “This report provides a comprehensive analysis of 25 years of lake monitoring data collected by the District detailing long term trends that

will raise public awareness of the water quality of Hamilton County lakes,” said District Manger Caitlin Stewart. “I hope the report will be a useful and informative resource for students, lake associations, natural resource agencies, researchers, landowners, and legislators.” “On a positive note, the lakes are exhibiting a clear signal of recovery from acid deposition,” said AWI Senior Research Associate Corey Laxson. “One of the more intriguing findings was that the Hamilton County lakes are becoming less transparent. Our more concerning finding was that the chemical makeup of 91% of the study lakes was influenced by road salt.” In the early years, the lake monitoring program had limited resources and equipment. The District became a member of the Finger Lakes-Lake Ontario

The Hamilton County SWCD boat is loaded with lake monitoring gear and ready for launch on Lake

Eaton.

See Report, Page 14.

Hamilton County SWCD summer Water Quality Intern Alex Bielli (left) shows clerk Marjorie Remias the pH, conductivity, temperature, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen data for Sacandaga Lake that is being

logged on a water quality meter.

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Report (from page 13)

Watershed Protection Alliance (FLLOWPA) in 1996, and receives state funds through the Environmental Protection Fund and FLLOWPA to further water quality efforts in the watershed. In 1997, the District received the first FLLOWPA check and hired additional staff, upgraded computers, and purchased equipment and a boat with a pro-environmental 4 stroke outboard motor for the lake monitoring program. The report is available digitally on the District website at www.hcswcd.com. Hard copies are available at Hamilton County libraries, municipal offices, and the District.

“In general, the water quality of the study lakes is very good,” said Laxson. “One of the things the lakes all share in common is that the vast majority of their watersheds are comprised of intact forest. In fact, 67% of the county as a whole is protected New York State land. Lakes that reside in intact forested ecosystems with low amounts of development typically retain desirable water quality characteristics.” “From field data collection to financial assistance to document compilation, I thank all of our partners who assisted with the compilation of The State of Hamilton County Lakes: A 25 Year Perspective 1993 – 2017 report” said Stewart. “Tax payer dollars are saved when a water quality

problem is detected and remediated in its early stages. Hamilton County’s residents, economy, and ecosystem depend on clean water for drinking, recreation, and healthy natural resources. This report emphasizes the importance of protecting our water resources for our current and future generations.” The District has been working to manage and promote the wise use of natural resources in Hamilton County since 1965. For more information go to www.hcswcd.com or call 518-548-3991.

Hamilton County SWCD staff record GPS coordinates and weather data for Fawn Lake.

Hamilton County SWCD summer Water Quality Intern Abigail Bobbette uses the YSI

multi-probe to collect pH, conductivity, temperature,

turbidity, and dissolved oxygen data on Fawn Lake.

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Photos from Mud Creek trail and educational activities at Columbia County Soil & Water Conservation District.

Benthic macroinvert investigation Ichabod Crane High School.

Hudson Valley Regional Envirothon - LOKI - River Haggie Outdoors assistant.

Mud Creek Trail.

Farm tour.

Mud Creek trail.

Mud Creek trail.

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Photos from Mud Creek trail and educational activities at Columbia County Soil & Water Conservation District.

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Executive Committee

President

Chastity Miller, Franklin County

Vice President

Dustin Lewis, Saratoga County

Secretary

Caitlin Stewart, Hamilton County

Treasurer

Kristin White, Seneca County

Member At Large

Dean Moore, Warren County

New York State Conservation District Employees’ Association, Inc.

www.nyscdea.com/ Phone: 607.776.7398, ext 3 Fax: 607.776.7487

Division Representatives

Division I

Scott Collins, Niagara County

Division II

Aaron Buchta , Onondaga County

Division III

Raeanne Dulanski, St Lawrence County

Division IV

Velynda Parker, Steuben County

Division V

Kristin Ballou , Franklin County

Division VI

Ben Luskin, Washington County

Division VII

Erin Sommerville, Dutchess County

Division VIII

Ann Marie Calabro, Suffolk County

“Your local Soil and Water Conservation District provides ongoing programs and

services to conserve, enhance and protect soil and water resources in your community.”