Katherine F. Barnes

The meeting began with roll call for voting and non-voting members, followed by introductions from staff and advisory members. Key agenda items included the review and approval of previous minutes and a discussion on correspondence, which involved displaying various district newsletters. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) Fiscal Year 2027 budget update, noting the proposed total appropriations of $425 million and specific funding levels for programs such as Regenerate New York, Climate Resilient Farming, and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts line item, which proposed an increase. The committee then held its annual organizational meeting, re-electing the Chair and Vice Chair. Following this, the composition of the four subcommittees (District Operations, Municipal Assistance, Technical Advisory, and State Programs Advisory) was reviewed and approved, emphasizing the benefit of member attendance for background context. Finally, the committee established a tentative meeting schedule for 2026, including plans for fully in-person meetings, a state committee principles meeting coupled with a conservation tour in July, and combining the November committee meeting with the statewide managers meeting.

The meeting addressed several key items. The Committee approved the AEM Tier 1 and Tier 2 Worksheets for Near Shore Aquaculture. A presentation was delivered emphasizing the importance of an annual plan of work, followed by the approval of all 58 SWCD Annual Plans of Work for 2026. Updates were provided by staff regarding the Technical Advisory Committee, State Programs Advisory Committee, and District Operations Sub-Committee. Significant discussion involved amendments for time extensions for various Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Abatement and Control Program (AGNPS) projects across multiple counties, including Erie, Wyoming, Cayuga, Wayne, Delaware, Montgomery, Schoharie, and Lewis Counties. Amendments were also processed for Climate Resilient Farming (CRF) projects in Niagara and Schoharie Counties. Furthermore, the State Programs Advisory Committee (SPAC) discussed ongoing program efforts, and the District Operations Sub-Committee provided an update focusing on the need to revise the outdated SWCD Operations Manual.

The meeting agenda included a review of correspondence and the EPF FY27 Budget Update, followed by the Annual Organizational Meeting. The organizational segment involved the nomination and election of the Chair and Vice Chair, appointment of Voting Member Representatives for various sub-committees (District Operations, Municipal Assistance, Technical Advisory, and State Programs Advisory Committee), and establishing the meeting schedule for 2026. Staff provided a review of 2025 and outlined 2026 priorities. Program updates were presented for the AEM Base Program, the Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Abatement and Control Program (including approval motions for Round 32 Timeline amendments), and the Climate Resilient Farming Program (including approval motions for Round 10 Timeline amendments). Key actions included the presentation and approval of the Oneida Lake Watershed Coalition Memorandum of Understanding, and later, the approval of the Round 9 Climate Resilient Farming Program Ranked List.

The meeting included a presentation from the Director of the Dairylake Freshwater Institute regarding the Jefferson Project, detailing monitoring, experiments, and forecasting related to the lake's behavior, including studies on invasive species like the Asian clam, and water quality issues such as salt runoff and increasing phosphorous levels. A significant portion of the discussion involved a homeowner association's proposal to modify dock spaces, including securing necessary deeds, clarifying the position of swim areas relative to the proposed dock configuration, and addressing concerns about neighbor proximity and existing citations related to improper dock installation. There were also discussions regarding boating safety, including the distribution of educational materials in marinas and boat rental places, and the necessity of turning off boat motors during recreational activities like swimming.

The meeting addressed several items, including the approval of the minutes from the previous meeting and the fiscal actions report. A significant portion of the discussion centered on Project Review Resolution 2020 Dennis 16, concerning an application by Green Flash Holding Group to modify an existing U-shaped wharf by adding a closed-sided boathouse. The applicant cited safety and aesthetic conformity to the property as reasons for the modification, noting that the previous structure included a two-story hotel and cabins that caused greater visual obstruction. Neighboring property owners expressed concerns regarding the visual impact of the closed-sided structure compared to the previously permitted open-sided structure. Commissioners discussed the minimal visual impact according to aerial analysis (estimated at 5% obstruction of a 180-degree view) versus the procedural issue of the applicant having started construction without final approval, for which a fine was paid. Discussions also referenced another unapproved construction project on the Rutherford property adjacent to Chuckle Lodge.