Conservation Resources in New York

Updated: 08/09/2011

Conservation Operations and Technical Assistance

The purpose of these programs is to assist land-users, communities, units of state and local government, and other Federal agencies in planning and implementing conservation systems to reduce erosion, improve soil and water quality, improve and conserve wetlands, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, improve air quality, improve pasture conditions, reduce upstream flooding, and improve woodlands. This is the core conservation technical assistance of the NRCS.

The objectives of the program are to assist individual landusers, communities, Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), and other units of State and Local government and Federal agencies to meet their goals for resource stewardship and assist individuals to comply with State and Local requirements.

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

The CRP encourages farmers to voluntarily plant permanent areas of grass and trees on land that needs protection from erosion, to act as windbreaks, or in places where vegetation can improve water quality or provide food and habitat for wildlife.  Eligible producers must enter into contracts with the CCC lasting between 10 and 15 years. In return they receive annual rental payments, incentive payments for certain activities, and cost-share assistance to establish the protective vegetation. The CRP has been expanded in the past few years to also include a "Continuous Sign-up" element along with the regular annual sign-up periods.

Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program

The purpose of the Emergency Watershed Protection program is to reduce hazards to life and property in watersheds damaged by severe natural events.

An emergency is considered to exist when a watershed is suddenly impaired by flood, fire, drought, or other natural causes that result in life and property being endangered by flooding, erosion or sediment discharge. The emergency area need not be declared a national disaster to be eligible for assistance.

Forestry Incentives Program (FIP)

The purpose of the program is to increase production of saw timber and pulpwood on non-industrial private forests; to decrease, over time, expected shortages and rising prices of timber; and to help ensure effective use of available forest lands. The objective is to provide cost-share and technical assistance to landowners to encourage voluntary installation of forestry practices that promote good stewardship.

Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI)

The purpose of the GLCI is to ensure that technical, educational, and related assistance is provided to livestock producers who own private grazing lands. GLCI is not a cost-share program.

The technical assistance will offer opportunities for: better grazing land management; protecting soil from erosive wind and water; using more energy-efficient ways to produce food and fiber; conserving water; providing habitat for wildlife; sustaining forage and grazing plants; using plants to sequester greenhouse gases and increase soil organic matter; and using grazing lands as a source of biomass energy and raw materials for industrial products.

Plant Materials (PM)

The purpose of the Plant Materials Program program is to:

• Assemble, test, and release plant materials for conservation use

• Determine techniques for successful use and management of conservation species

• Facilitate the commercial increase of conservation species

• Provide for the timely development and transfer of effective state-of-the-art applied plant science technology to solve conservation problems

• Promote the use of plant science technology

To accomplish this purpose, NRCS maintains and operates a Plant Materials Program as part of its on-going coordinated conservation operations activities through a network of Plant Material Centers (PMC) and Plant Material Specialists (PMS). The Plant Materials program in New York serves states from Maine to West Virginia through its Big Flats Plant Materials Center.

Resource Conservation and Development Program (RC&D)

The purpose of the program is to improve the capability of State and local units of government and local non-profit organizations in rural areas to plan, develop, and carry out programs for resource conservation and development. Plans may address land conservation, water management, community development, or other elements including energy conservation, protection of agricultural land, or protection of fish and wildlife habitats. The program also establishes or improves coordination systems in rural areas. Program objectives focus on improvement of quality of life achieved through natural resources conservation and community development which leads to sustainable communities, prudent use, and the management and conservation of natural resources. There are several RC&D Councils in New York.

Urban Resources Partnership (URP)

The Urban Resources Partnership (URP) is a relatively new USDA initiative that encourages the use of conservation partnerships, State; Local; other Federal agencies; local community organizations and private sector organizations to carry out resource protection efforts in specially identified urban areas. In New York two such cities have been identified, New York City and Buffalo. The URP focuses on education, resource protection and enhancement, community development projects and other efforts in neighborhoods that have been traditionally under served by USDA programs.

Watersheds and Flood Prevention Operations

This program element actually contains two separate and distinct programs, Watershed Operations  and Small Watersheds.The purpose of these programs is to cooperate with State and Local agencies, Tribal governments, and other Federal agencies to prevent damages caused by erosion, floodwater, and sediment and to further the conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water and the conservation and utilization of the land.

Conservation Programs by Other Agencies

You may be eligible for assistance through conservation grants or programs administered or funded by other Federal, State and County agencies. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) provides funding for projects to improve water quality through two Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) programs.

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