Sullivan Trail Resource Conservation & Development Council

Board of Directors' Field of Interests

Agriculture

Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Yates Counties Intensive Rotational Grazing Initiative-This $67,300 grant through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund provides cost sharing assistance to 15 livestock producers in the four county region (Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, & Yates) toward the installation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) associated with Intensive Rotational Grazing (IRG) systems. Eligible BMPs include but not limited to perimeter & interior fencing, livestock watering systems, laneways, Conservation tillage for reseeding pasture/hayland, lime & fertilizer for pasture renovations. The project has been extended and is expected to be completed as of 12/31/98).

Agricultural Tourism

"Beat of the Finger Lakes Heartland - your guide to sensational scents, sights, tastes, and textures" - This sixteen page color brochure was first printed in 1995 and reprinted in the spring of 1997 describes approximately 55 agriculturally related enterprises such as wineries, u-pick operations, roadside stands, farm markets, livestock operations/roadside stands, farm markets, livestock operations/petting zoos. The initial printing was completed with a $35,000 grant from the NYS Regional Economic Development Partnership Program, local contributions from the participating enterprises and the respective counties tourism offices, as well as donations totaling $54,000.

Included in the brochure is a user friendly map of the three county region (Ontario, Seneca, & Yates) with each enterprise identified with an easy to use legend. A second printing of the brochure was completed in the spring of 1997 with the assistance of a $30,000 grant from the New York Aide to Localities Program via NYS Senator Michael Nozzolio. To date more than 75,000 copies of the brochure have been distributed. To receive a free copy of this publication, please fill out this form.

Fire hydrant

Community Services

Since 1995, the Sullivan Trail RC&D Council has been providing either directly or indirectly technical and/or financial assistance to volunteer fire departments within its six county region, regarding the installation of dry hydrants usually located adjacent to a pond, lake, or stream that can allow for easy access to water for the purpose of fighting fires in rural areas.

Benefits associated with dry hydrants include:

Recently the Sullivan Trail RC&D Council has completed administering a $31,750.00 grant from the NYS Aide to Localities Program via NYS Senator
John R. Kuhl, Jr..  The grant provided funding to allow for the purchase of approximately 50 dry hydrant head assemblies w/rocker big cap, 90 configuration, 6" NTS threads as well as 50 8" dry hyrant barrel strainers. Working with the Steuben County Office of Emergency Services, the Steuben County Fire Chiefs Association, and the  Soil & Water Conservation District an ad hoc committee reviewed potential hydrant location to ensure it meets acceptable criteria so the hydrant will function properly.  Fire departments county wide took advantage of this program.

Presently the Council is administering a second grant from the NYS Aide to Localities Program totaling $21,000.00 toward the installation of 30 dry
hydrants in Schuyler County, New York.  The RC&D Council is currently working with the Schuyler County Office of Emergency Management Services, The Schuyler County Soil & Water Conservation District, and the Schuyler County Fire Chief's Association to identify qualified sites for the dry hydrants.
 

Erosion Control & Water Quality

The Sullivan Trail RC&D Council provides grant writing services to its member counties. Presently a major emphasis of the Council deals with erosion control and improved water quality. The following are project currently underway at one stage or another. Best Management Practices for Water Quality on Forest Land - Obtained on behalf of the Chemung County Soil & Water Conservation District this $13,000 grant from the Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion & Sediment Control is being used to develop a field manual that will identify and describe Best Management Practices (BMPs) that can be used to curb erosion on forest land. The manual includes sections dealing with stream crossings, timber harvesting, logging roads, riparian management zones, and permits. The manual has been designed specifically for local code enforcement officers, timber harvesters, and representatives of various federal, state, and local agencies who have technical responsibilities associated with timber harvesting. To order a free copy of this manual, please fill out this form.

timber bridge

Forestry

Recent News

New York Wood Products Companies Can Access the Internet

Lola Tears, Chairperson of the Sullivan Trail Resource Conservation & Development Council, announced recently that the Council has just been awarded a $20,000.00 grant through the U.S. Forest Service.  The grant will be used to assist up to 20 wood products companies from anywhere in New York State to develop web pages, link existing wood product companies web pages to high visibility directories and highlight wood product companies or their products on a soon to be developed page devoted exclusively to the wood products industry.  The grant will also be used to update the "Allegheny Highland Forest Industry Profile Prospectus" which provides information on forest and wood product companies located in 8 western New York Counties can be found at www.rctc.com/partner.html#wood.

Grant dollars will be used to help underwrite the design of these new web pages as well as promoting the participating wood product companies.  To learn more about this opportunity, representatives of New York Wood Product companies can contact the Sullivan Trail RC&D Council at (607) 776-7398 ext. 204 or e-mail the Council at sultrrcd@linkny.com
 

Non-Profit Organization Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Sullivan Trail Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council, a non profit organization dedicated to promoting rural economic development through the wise use of natural resources, is celebrating it 25th anniversary.  Authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture shortly after the Hurricane Agnes Flood of 1972, the Sullivan Trail RC&D Council helped local and county governments, other nonprofit organizations, and individuals deal with flooding, erosion, and water quality problems since 1973.

During its 25 years the Council has been successful in obtaining more than $1.8 million in grants to complete projects such as the Schweizer Aircraft Flood Protection Project in Big Flats, N.Y. and the Watkins Glen Diversion which has protected the northern end of the Village of Watkins Glen from periodic flooding since 1980.  In cooperation with its many public and private partners the Sullivan Trail RC&D Council has secured funding for the construction of 5 modern timber highway bridges for its six member Counties (Chemung, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, and Yates).  Other projects that have been completed by the Council includes streambank stabilization projects in Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben Counties; Intensive Rotational Grazing Demonstration Projects in all six of its member counties, the publications of "The Beat of the Finger Lakes Heartland" agric-tourism brochure (which serves Ontario, Seneca, and Yates Counties) as well as assisting with the installation of dry hydrants for rural fire protection in each of ist member counties.

The Sullivan Trail RC&D Council will celebrate its anniversary with a noon luncheon on May 21, 1998 at Miller Essenhaus Restaurant, two miles north of Penn Yan, N.Y. on Route 14A.  Featured speakers will include NYS Senator "Randy" Kuhl; State Conservatonist for USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, Richard Swenson; and a representative from Congressman Amory Houghton's office.  For more information regarding the luncheon contact the Sullivan Trail RC&D Council's office by calling (607) 776-7398 Ext. 204.
 

Local Non-Profit Organization Receives Rural Fire Protection Grant

Lola Tears, Chairperson of the Sullivan Trail Resource Conservation & Development Counil, recently announced that the Council has been awarded a $21,000.00 state grant to assist Schuyler County's rural fire departments with accessing water for fighting rural fires.

Mrs. Tears said that the State grant was made possible by State Senator John R. (Randy) Kuhl, Jr. and the NYS Aide to Localities Program.  The Sullivan Trail RC&D Council will use the funding to purchase materials for the
installation of 30 dry hydrants, which are usually installed on ponds or lakes, that allow fire fighters quick and easy access to water for fighting rural fires.

The RC&D Council will be working closely with a local committee consisting of representatives of the Schuyler County Fire Chiefs Association, the Schuyler County Office of Emergency Management Services, and the Schuyler County Soil & Water Conservation District to identify adequate sites throughout the county where dry hydrants can be installed.

For additional information about this project contact either the Sullivan Trail RC&D Council or the Schuyler County Office of Emegency Management Services (607)535-8200.

Seneca Lake Nutrient Management Planning Project

The Sullivan Trail RC&D Council is currently administering a $65,880.00 grant for the purpose of developing nutrient management plans on 12 livestock, field crop, or grape farms within the Seneca Lake Watershed.

The grant which is provided through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund is being used to pay for the majority of the planning costs
associated with the development of nutrient management plans.  The project is done in conjunction with the Seneca County Soil & Water Conservation
District (S&WCD), the Schuyler County S&WCD, the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Cornell Cooperative Extension.

The project's objectives include:

  1. The application of cost effective nutrient management Best Management Practices on approximately 3000 acres.
  2. To serve as a demonstration for additional agricultural producers regarding the benefits of nutrient management planning.
  3. The improvement of water quality in Seneca Lake.

The 12 producers selected in the project have been selected by a project committee consisting of NRCS, S&WCD, and Cornell Cooperative Extension
personnel.  Although the gathering of field data has just begun the project is expected to be completed by 3/1/00.

The plans will identify how livestock waste can be efficiently used and subsequently protect water quality as well as reduce the need for additional inorganic fertilizer.

For specific information regarding members and technical advisors contact:
Sullivan Trail RC&D Council
415 West Morris Street
Bath, New York 14810
Phone (607) 776-7398 ext 204; FAX (607) 776-7487
email address: sultrrcd@linkny.com
Or, fill out this form.
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