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State Funding Legislation
§ 11-a. State aid to districts. (1) To aid districts in carrying out
the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, providing
technical assistance to landowners, the state, within the amount
appropriated therefor, shall:
(a) Reimburse each soil and water conservation district to the extent
of fifty percent of the amount expended by the district for the items
specified in this paragraph, up to thirty thousand dollars per district
in any fiscal year. Reimbursement pursuant to this paragraph shall be
limited to expenditures for the employment of conservation field
technicians or district managers, and the purchase of supplies and
equipment related to these positions, for the purpose of supervising or
providing technical assistance for the establishment and implementation
of soil and water conservation practices in accordance with programs
undertaken by the district. At the end of each calendar year, verified
and detailed claims for such reimbursement shall be submitted to the
state soil and water conservation committee in such form and manner and
containing such information as the state soil and water conservation
committee, the commissioner of agriculture and markets and the state
comptroller may require. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
chapter, the soil and water conservation district of New York city shall
be considered the equivalent of five districts when reimbursed in
accordance with the provisions of this paragraph.
(b) Within amounts available, provide financial assistance to each
soil and water conservation district in an amount of up to six thousand
dollars, in addition to the reimbursement provided under paragraph (a)
of this subdivision, for the purposes of carrying out projects which
conserve, restore and enhance the soil and water resources of this
state; assist in the implementation of agricultural best management
practices; prevent and reduce agricultural and non-agricultural
nonpoint-source water pollution; assist in the control of floods and
mitigate flood damage; protect and restore streams and wetlands; protect
and restore wildlife and aquatic habitat; assist in the drainage of
agricultural lands; prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs; control
stormwater run-off, including from construction sites; assist in
maintaining the navigability of rivers and harbors; reduce
agriculturally-generated air pollution; assist the agricultural
production of green energy; protect open space; collect and dispose of
pesticides; manage public lands; and protect and manage rural and urban
forests. For purposes of this paragraph, the soil and water conservation
of New York city shall be considered the equivalent of five districts.
(c) Within amounts available, provide financial assistance to each
soil and water conservation district, in addition to the amounts
provided under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subdivision, for the
purposes of carrying out projects for the conservation of the soil and
water resources of this state, and for the improvement of water quality,
and for the control and prevention of soil erosion and for the
prevention of floodwater and sediment damages, and for furthering the
conservation, development, utilization and disposal of water, and
thereby to preserve natural resources, control and abate nonpoint
sources of water pollution, assist in the control of floods, assist in
the drainage and irrigation of agricultural lands, prevent impairment of
dams and reservoirs, assist in maintaining the navigability of rivers
and harbors, preserve wildlife, protect the tax base, protect public
lands, and protect and promote the health, safety and general welfare of
the people of this state. Any funds made available pursuant to this
paragraph shall be available for financial assistance for the purposes
of carrying out such activities to each soil and water conservation
district on a competitive basis pursuant to performance standards to be
established by the soil and water conservation committee and the
commissioner of the department of agriculture and markets. Such
standards shall include, but not be limited to, the extent and
sufficiency of district board activity; district reporting and outreach
activities; delivery of state natural resource conservation programs;
and the ability of the district to use such funding to leverage
additional funds from local, federal and private sources.
(2) Reimbursement and funding pursuant to this section, when approved
by the state soil and water conservation committee and the commissioner
of agriculture and markets, shall be paid out of the state treasury from
funds appropriated and made available for the purposes of this section
upon audit and warrant of the state comptroller on vouchers certified by
the state soil and water conservation committee and the commissioner of
agriculture and markets in the manner provided by law.
(3) The commissioner of agriculture and markets and the state soil and
water conservation committee are each empowered to promulgate such rules
and regulations and to prescribe such forms as each shall deem necessary
to effectuate the purposes of this section.
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