Environmental Conservation, NYS Department of Division of Fiscal Management

The meeting included several key agenda items and updates. The committee accepted the executive budget proposal announcement, noting the Environmental Protection Fund is proposed at $425 million. Key personnel updates included the re-appointment of Matt Brower as Chair and Darin Hickling as Vice Chair. The committee reviewed 2025 accomplishments and discussed 2026 priorities. Program timelines were approved for Round 32 of the Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Abatement and Control Program (AGNPS) and Round 10 of the Climate Resilient Farming (CRF) Program. The committee also approved the Oneida Lake Watershed Coalition Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Several time extension amendments for Round 28 AGNPS projects were approved due to weather-related construction delays. Furthermore, the Round 9 CRF Ranked List was approved via Resolution 2026-01.

The meeting agenda included introductions, correspondence from Bethany Bzduch, and various program updates. Key discussion items covered the Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Abatement and Control Program, the Climate Resilient Farming Program, and the CAFO Enhanced Nutrient Management Program, including specific program updates and amendments. There was also an update on the AEM -- Urban Agriculture Tier 1 and Tier 2 programs, followed by voting, advisory, staff, conservation district reports, and public comments.

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.